Japan's working holiday program allows young travelers aged 18 to 30 from partner jurisdictions to spend extended holidays in Japan while working temporarily to supplement their travel funds. As of late 2026, Japan maintains agreements with 33 countries and regions, with recent policy updates permitting citizens from select partner nations to participate up to twice in their lifetime. Applicants must apply directly through an official Japanese diplomatic mission in their country and meet specific financial, health, and residency requirements.
Which countries participate in Japan's working holiday program in 2026?
Japan established its first working holiday arrangement with Australia in 1980. According to official data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan as of November 1, 2026, Japan partners with 33 countries and regions. Annual visa quotas vary depending on the bilateral arrangement:
- Australia (1980, unlimited quota)
- New Zealand (1985, unlimited quota)
- Canada (1986, quota of 6,283 visas)
- South Korea (1999, quota of 10,000 visas)
- France (2000, quota of 1,800 visas; provisionally launched in December 1999)
- Germany (2000, unlimited quota)
- United Kingdom (2001, quota of 6,000 visas)
- Ireland (2007, quota of 800 visas)
- Denmark (2007, unlimited quota)
- Taiwan (2009, quota of 10,000 visas)
- Hong Kong (2010, quota of 1,500 visas)
- Norway (2013, unlimited quota)
- Portugal (2015, unlimited quota)
- Poland (2015, quota of 500 visas)
- Slovakia (2016, quota of 400 visas)
- Austria (2016, quota of 200 visas)
- Hungary (2017, quota of 200 visas)
- Spain (2017, quota of 700 visas)
- Argentina (2017, quota of 400 from Argentina to Japan; 200 from Japan to Argentina)
- Chile (2018, quota of 200 visas)
- Iceland (2018, quota of 30 visas)
- Czech Republic (2018, quota of 400 visas)
- Lithuania (2019, quota of 100 visas)
- Sweden (2020, unlimited quota)
- Estonia (2020, quota of 100 from Estonia to Japan; unlimited from Japan to Estonia)
- Netherlands (2020, quota of 200 visas)
- Uruguay (2023, quota of 100 visas)
- Finland (2023, quota of 200 from Finland to Japan; unlimited from Japan to Finland)
- Latvia (2023, quota of 100 visas)
- Luxembourg (2024, quota of 100 visas)
- Malta (2026, quota of 100 visas)
- Italy (2026, quota of 500 visas)
- Panama (2026, quota of 100 visas)
Who can participate in the working holiday program twice?
While participants previously could only hold one Japanese working holiday visa, recent bilateral revisions allow two lifetime participations for citizens of specific countries:
- December 1, 2024: Passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom are permitted to participate twice (either two consecutive one-year stays or two separate one-year stays). Citizens from New Zealand, Denmark, and Austria may participate twice for up to two separate one-year stays.
- January 1, 2025: Citizens of Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia became eligible for two separate one-year stays in their lifetime.
- October 1, 2025: Nationals of South Korea gained approval for two separate one-year stays.
- February 1, 2026: Passport holders from Taiwan became eligible for two separate one-year stays.
What are the main eligibility requirements and rules?
To qualify, applicants must be residing in their country of nationality at the time of application (Hong Kong residents must hold a valid HKSAR or BNO passport; Taiwan residents must hold a valid Taiwan passport). Standard age requirements state that applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old inclusive when applying. For Australia, Canada, and South Korea, the initial age window is 18 to 25, but extends to 30 when agreed upon by respective bilateral authorities.
Applicants must not be accompanied by dependents or children. You must possess a valid passport, a return travel ticket or sufficient funds to buy one, reasonable maintenance funds for your initial stay in Japan, good health, and an intention to holiday as your primary purpose.
Specific document lists vary by location. For example, guidelines from the Embassy of Japan in Ireland specify submitting a completed application, a passport photograph (35mm x 45mm taken within 6 months), a CV (Form 1), an activity plan (Form 2), a typed A4 reason letter, proof of travel insurance, and either €1,600 with a return ticket or €3,200 in available funds (€2,300 minimum for married couples applying together). Because rules differ, you should confirm your personal eligibility directly with your local Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan, or the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.
What work restrictions apply during your stay?
Employment under this program is intended strictly as an incidental activity to supplement travel funds. Working holiday visas cannot be used for full-time career roles or formal academic degree studies.
Participants are strictly prohibited from working at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling facilities, and other establishments affecting public morals. Working at such venues violates the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and will result in deportation (except for victims of human trafficking). Employers hiring participants for prohibited roles can face criminal charges.
To find permitted jobs, foreign travelers can access multi-language assistance at Employment Service Centres for Foreigners in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka, as well as selected Hello Work public employment security offices. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns applicants against fraudulent agencies claiming to process working holiday visas, as no private organization is partnered with the government for visa operations.
What administrative steps are required upon arrival?
Working holiday visas are issued as single-entry visas. If you need to depart Japan temporarily during your working holiday and return later, you must obtain a re-entry permit from Japanese Immigration Authorities before leaving the country.
Once you find a place to settle down in Japan, you must visit the local municipal office where you reside and register your address with the Ministry of Justice within 14 days. Certain embassies, such as the Irish Embassy in Tokyo, also recommend registering your presence with them upon arrival for emergency support.
Finding a place to stay
Arranging housing is an essential task once your visa is issued and prior to arriving in Japan. Securing a comfortable base before departure ensures you have a physical address ready for municipal registration within your first 14 days. Many newcomers stay in a furnished monthly apartment first when arriving in Tokyo. OHAYO Stay offers furnished monthly apartments and rooms in Tokyo. Most homes have a minimum stay of 30 nights (shown on each listing), and the monthly price includes electricity, gas, water and Wi-Fi. Having your accommodation set ahead of time allows you to settle in smoothly while focusing on job hunting and exploring your new neighborhood.