Japan working holiday visa for Australian citizens

This page is for Australian citizens interested in Japan’s Working Holiday visa. It outlines the main requirements for eligibility. To apply, you must be a citizen of Australia, currently living there, and be aged 18 to 30 at the time of application. The primary purpose of your trip must be for a holiday, with work being a secondary activity to support your travels.

There is no limit on the number of visas available to Australians. You cannot bring dependants or children. Applicants need a valid passport, a return ticket or the funds to buy one, and what the rules call reasonable funds for the initial part of the stay. You must also be in good health and not have previously held a Japanese working holiday visa.

Passport

Australia

Age range

18 to 30

Funds

Reasonable funds for the first part of the stay

Places

No limit

Conditions for Australian citizens

• Must currently live in the country of nationality.
• MOFA says applicants from this country should be 18 to 25 unless the two governments agree to extend the limit to 30; check the Japanese embassy page.

General rules of the program

• Mainly intending to holiday in Japan; aged 18 to 30 at application (see notes); no accompanying dependants or children; a valid passport plus a return ticket or the money to buy one; reasonable funds for the first part of the stay; good health; and no previous Japanese working holiday visa (except where the twice-in-a-lifetime rule applies).
• Work is allowed as an incidental activity to supplement travel funds. Working at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling establishments and other premises affecting public morals is strictly prohibited and can lead to deportation.
• Within 14 days of settling, register your address at the local municipal office.
• MOFA warns that no organization in Japan works with it to run the programmes, so be wary of paid 'help' offers.

What stands out

One specific condition for Australian applicants is that you must currently live in the country of nationality when you apply. Also, while the general age range is up to 30, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) notes that applicants from Australia should be 18 to 25 unless an agreement between the two governments extends this to 30. It is important to check the current status with the Japanese embassy.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that your country or region is on the MOFA list and how many visas it gets each year.
2. Read the Japanese embassy or consulate page in your country for the document list and dates.
3. Apply there in person or as instructed; Taiwan residents use the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.
4. Register your address at the municipal office within 14 days of settling in Japan.

Other programs open to Australian citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for Australian citizens.

All passports for this program: Japan working holiday visa: partner countries and quotas.