Working-Holiday visa

The Working-Holiday visa will be issued only once to the same Australian citizen. The Government of Japan will issue, on a reciprocal basis and free of charge, a Working Holiday visa to applicants who satisfy all of the following prerequisites.

The Working Holiday visa is not appropriate for those wishing to enter Japan to engage in full-time employment or to enroll in academic institutions.
Applicant Prerequisites: each applicant for a Working Holiday Visa:

1. 1. Must be an Australian citizen currently residing in Australia (accordingly, Australians traveling or living abroad are not eligible);
2. 2. Must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific period of time;
3. 3. Must be between 18 and 30 years of age inclusive at the time of application;
4. 4. Must possess a valid Australian passport and either a travel ticket to and from Japan or a confirmed reservation to and from Japan;
5. 5. Must possess reasonable funds for their maintenance, including medical expenses, during the period of initial stay in Japan (for a single applicant the minimum is A$2,500 and for a couple A$3,500);
6. 6. Must be of good health and character.

Other Information

1. 1. It is recommended that insurance coverage be arranged before leaving Australia as under the conditions of employment for the Working-Holiday visa the period of employment is usually not long enough to qualify for coverage provided by employers or companies.
2. 2. Applicants must enter Japan within three months after the date of issue of the visa.
3. 3. A period of stay of up to six months will be initially granted at the port of entry. This may be extended up to another six months by the Immigration Authorities in Japan.
4. 4. Working-Holiday visas are single entry. Therefore, if the Working-Holiday maker has to leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return, it is essential that the person obtain a re-entry permit from the Immigration Authorities before leaving Japan.
5. 5. Within 90 days of arrival in Japan, Working-Holiday makers must apply for alien registration at the Local Government Office near to where they are staying.
6. 6. You should ask for a statement of earnings in English while in Japan and call the Australian Taxation Office for the appropriate information upon your return to Australia.