Information below provided by and on behalf of –
Embassy of Japan in the UKhttp://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/embassy/
Japan Association for Working Holidaywww.jawhm.or.jp
In the interest of helping to promote the program on their behalf’s.

WORKING HOLIDAY SCHEME

Background

The governments of Japan and the United Kingdom now operate a Working Holiday scheme, which provides wider opportunities, particularly for young people to experience the culture and general way of life of the other country for the purpose of promoting greater mutual understanding between Japan and the United Kingdom. This scheme makes it possible for citizens of one country to enter the other primarily for a holiday over an extended period and to be able to take work incidental to their holiday in order to supplement their travel funds.

With this visa, British citizens need not obtain further permission to engage in remunerative activities while in Japan, provided these activities do not contravene Japanese laws and regulations, especially those regulating businesses offering food and entertainment as well as any other regulations in force which affect public order and good morals.

• The Working Holiday visa is not appropriate for those wishing to enter Japan to engage in full-time employment or to enrol in academic institutions.

Applicant Prerequisites

Working Holiday visas, valid for a period of one year from the date of issue, will be issued to persons who satisfy all of the following requirements:

• be the British citizens who are resident in the United Kingdom
• intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a period of up to one year from the date of entry
• be aged between eighteen (18) and twenty-five (25) years both inclusive at the time of application for the said visa, except in those cases where the competent authorities of the Government of Japan agree to extend the limitation of age up to thirty (30) years
• be persons who are not accompanied by children
• be persons who are not accompanied by spouses unless those spouses are in possession of the said visa or otherwise
• possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket;
  possess reasonable funds for their maintenance during the period of initial stay in Japan
• intend to leave Japan at the end of their stay
• have not previously been issued the said visa
• have good health

Application Procedure

Those wishing to apply for a Working Holiday visa are required to submit, along with a valid British passport, one copy each of the following documents to the appropriate consular missions of the Government of Japan in the United Kingdom. Statements made in these documents must be true and accurate.

• One completed visa application form
• One photograph approx. 35mm x 45mm in size (taken within 6 months)
• A personal history, resume or curriculum vita typed on A4 paper
• A proposed itinerary for the first six months in Japan, including details of prearranged employment, if any
• A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday visa typed on A4 paper
• Either a return or onward journey ticket or a receipt and evidence that applicant possesses at least ’1,500 in clear fund, or evidence that the applicant possesses at least ’2,500 (In the case of a married couple applying for two visas, the minimum amounts are £2,500 and £4,500 respectively. Traveller's cheques are acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds.)
• In some cases, additional documents may be required

Important note: Working Holiday visas may be issued for up to 400 people in a Japanese financial year, that is, April through March. Therefore, at the time such a number of visas have been issued, acceptance for applications will close. A visa fee of £6.00 must be paid in exchange for the visa issued.

Explanatory Material

Explanatory material and the necessary forms are available at the Consulate-General of Japan in London and the Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh. Applications are made in person at the Consulate-General of Japan in London or the Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh, and applicants may be interviewed. The processing time may vary with the Consulate at which the application is submitted.

Consulate-General of Japan
101-104 Piccadilly London W1J 7JT
Tel: 020 7465 6565

Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh
2 Melville Crescent EdinburghEH3 7HW
Tel: 0131-225 4777

Support Organisation

The Japan Association for Working-Holiday Makers (JAWHM) is a non-profit organisation, established under the authorisation of the Japanese Government. This Association is the only organisation in Japan that specialises in providing assistance for the participants in the Working-Holiday Program. The following offices will provide appropriate counselling services to British citizens who have entered Japan on a Working Holiday visa.

Tokyo Head Office
Sun Plaza, 7th Floor 4-1-1, Nakano, Nakano-ku Tokyo 164-8512
Tel: 03-3389-0181 Fax: 03-3389-1563

Osaka Branch
L. Osaka 4F 3-14 Kitahamahigashi Chuo-ku Osaka 540-0031
Tel: 06-6946-7010 Fax: 06-6946-7021

Kyushu Branch
Maison Aqua 3F 1-3-20 Arato Chuo-ku Fukuoka-shi 810-0062
Tel: 092-713-0854 Fax: 092-752-2415

Other Information

• It is recommended that insurance coverage be arranged before leaving the United Kingdom, 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
• Applicants will not be able to engage themselves in activities, which are considered to go against policies of the Working Holiday scheme such as working at places where businesses, which may affect public morals, operate
• Working Holiday visas are for single entry. Therefore, if the Working Holiday maker has to leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return to Japan, it is essential that the person obtain a re-entry permit from the Immigration Authorities before leaving Japan
• 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
• Arriving in Japan, Working Holiday makers should register with the British Embassy in Tokyo or the British Consulate-General in Osaka. This will mean that the Embassy or Consulate know the whereabouts of the Working Holiday maker in Japan so that they can try to help in the case of an accident or emergency. For further information, contact the Embassy or the Consulate-General. The details are:

British Embassy Consular Section
No. 1 Ichibancho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102-8381
Tel: 03-5211-1100 Fax: 03-5275-0346
British Government official website in Japan
Email: consular@tokyo.mail.fco.gov.uk

BritishConsulate-General
EpsonOsakaBuilding 19F
3-5-1 Bakuro-machi Chuo-ku Osaka 541-0059
Tel: 06-6281-1616 Fax: 06-6281-1731
Email: bcgosaka@mail.fco.gov.uk

Keep your registration with the Embassy or the Consulate-General up to date and inform them of any change of details or address. Also let them know when you leave Japan permanently.

Japan Embassy
101-104 Piccadilly London W1J 7JT
Telephone (9.30-13.00 & 14.30-17.30 only)
General Enquiries:020-7465-6543/6544
Education:020-7465-6573
Culture:020-7465-6580
Press:020-7465-6588
Fax:020-7491-9347
Consular Section (Visa section)
Working Hours: 9.30-13.30 14.30-16.30
Telephone:020-7465-6565 Fax:020-7491-9328