Japan working holiday visa for UK citizens

This page is for United Kingdom passport holders who want to apply for a working holiday visa for Japan. The program allows for a stay of up to one year, with work intended as an incidental activity to fund your holiday. To be eligible, you must be aged 18 to 30 at the time of application.

You will need to show you have a valid passport, a return ticket or the funds to buy one, and reasonable funds for the first part of your stay. The program has a cap of 6,000 visas per year. You cannot bring any dependants or children with you. This visa can be held twice in a lifetime.

Passport

United Kingdom

Age range

18 to 30

Funds

Reasonable funds for the first part of the stay

Places

6,000 visas per year

Conditions for UK citizens

• Must currently live in the country of nationality.
• Since 1 December 2024: can take part twice in a lifetime (two consecutive years or 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 requirement for this visa is that you must currently live in the United Kingdom, your country of nationality. Unlike some other working holiday schemes, this one has an annual quota of 6,000 visas per year.

Another unusual feature, effective since 1 December 2024, is the option to participate twice. You can apply for two consecutive one-year stays or two separate one-year stays during your lifetime. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also specifically warns applicants not to use paid services claiming to work with it on the program.

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 UK citizens

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

Full list: working holiday visas for UK citizens.

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