Japan working holiday visa for New Zealand citizens

This page is for citizens of New Zealand interested in the working holiday visa for Japan. The program allows you to stay in Japan for up to one year, with work permitted as an incidental activity to support your holiday. To be eligible, you must be aged 18 to 30 at the time you apply.

There is no limit on the number of visas available. Applicants need a valid passport, a return ticket or the funds to buy one, and reasonable funds for the initial part of the stay. You must not be accompanied by dependants or children. You are also required to be in good health and must register your address within 14 days of settling in Japan.

Passport: New Zealand
Age range: 18 to 30
Funds: Reasonable funds for the first part of the stay
Places: No limit

Conditions for New Zealand citizens

Must currently live in the country of nationality.
Since 1 December 2024: can take part twice in a lifetime (two separate one-year stays).

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

A key feature of this visa is that you can participate twice in a lifetime. This rule, effective since 1 December 2024, allows for two separate one-year stays. Unlike some other working holiday schemes, this one requires you to be living in your country of nationality, New Zealand, when you apply. Also, be aware that Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) warns against paid services claiming to help with the application, as no organization works with it to run the programme.

How to apply, step by step

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

Other programs open to New Zealand citizens

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

Destination	Program	Age	Stay
Canada	IEC Working Holiday	18 to 35	Up to 23 months
Germany	Working Holiday visa	18 to 30	Up to 12 months
Hong Kong	Working Holiday Scheme	18 to 30	Up to 12 months
Ireland	Working Holiday Authorisation	18 to 30	Up to 12 months; must be activated within 12 months of issue
UK	Youth Mobility Scheme visa	18 to 35	Up to 24 months (plus a 1-year extension)

Full list: working holiday visas for New Zealand citizens.

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

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official government pages:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Working Holiday visa (Japan)

Last checked October 21, 2026 (Oct 2026). Rules, fees and quotas can change after this date.