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The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday visa is a special visa for young people that has the following features.

• Validity of Visa:
  Visa recipients must enter Japan within one year (six months for New Zealand, three month for Taiwan) after the date of issue.
• Period of Stay:
  An initial stay of up to six months is granted for Australia, New Zealand and Canada (one year for the Republic of Korea, France, Germany, U.K., Ireland and Denmark. France, U.K., Ireland, Taiwan and Hong Kong cannot be extended.) This may be extended up to another six months by the immigration authorities. Details are available from the Immigration Bureau.
• Limits on Issue:
  Working Holiday visas will be issued only to persons who have never obtained one before.
• Re-entry Permits:
  The Working Holiday visa is a single-entry visa. If the visa holder needs to leave Japan temporarily, it is necessary to obtain a re-entry permit from the immigration authorities before leaving Japan.
• Remunerative Activities:
  Working Holiday visa holders can engage in any kind of job as long as their stay is deemed to be primarily a holiday in Japan. They may not, however, work in places where business is being regulated by the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Business, such as nightclubs and dance halls.
• Visa Fees:
  There is no charge for a Working Holiday visa. (except for U.K. and Taiwan)

Conditions of the Working Holiday Programme

Since the Working Holiday programme is intended to promote greater mutual understanding, the applicant's primary aim should be to holiday in Japan. The programme is not designed for persons who mainly intend to work or study in Japan (for which purposes the appropriate visa should be sought). To ensure that the programme's objectives are met, the following requirements are to be satisfied.

The applicant

• must be a citizen/national of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland or Denmark currently residing in his or her country of citizenship, or must be a resident of Taiwan or Hong Kong.
• must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific length of time.
• must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
• must possess a valid passport and a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
• must possess reasonable funds for living expenses, including medical expenses, during the period of the initial stay in Japan. For a single person, the minimum is US$2000, for a married couple, US$3000 or equivalent amount of the national currency.
• must be in good health and not have a criminal record.

Application for Working Holiday Visa (Requirements and Procedure)

I. Requirements

The documents required for application include the following.

• Application form.
• Photographs:
         Identical photograph (45mm x 45mm), to be glued to the application form.
• Resume:
         Resume on A4 paper, including educational background, work experience, hobbies, and other relevant information.
• Outline of planned activities in Japan.
• Statement of the reason:
         Statement of the reason for applying for Working Holiday visa on A4 paper.
• Proof of travel funds:
         Proof of adequate travel funds (a return ticket, proof of possession of a bank account, traveller's cheques, etc.).
• Proof of sufficient funds to support the initial stay in Japan:
         At least US$2000 for a single person, US$3000 for a married couple.

II. Procedure

• In principle the applicant must apply for a visa in person.
  
• Place:
         All application documents must be submitted to the nearest Embassy of Japan, Consulate-General of Japan in the applicant's country/region of residence. For the residents in Taiwan, please consult with Interchange Association Japan (Taipei Office or Kaohsiung Office).
• Processing time for visa application:
         Application must be made at least three weeks before the anticipated departure date. Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted.
• Other documents:
         Alternative and/or additional documents may be required. Particulars can be obtained from the nearest Embassy of Japan, Consulate-General of Japan or interchange association Japan (Taipei Office or Kaohsiung Office).
• Interview:
         An interview with the visa officer by appointment may be required.

Further information on visa application procedures can be obtained from Embassies or Consulates-General of Japan.

Support Services in Japan

If Working Holiday visa holders need any help after entering Japan, they are advised to contact the Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers (JAWHM). This is a nonprofitorganization and is the only organization in Japan authorized by the Government to help Working Holiday visa holders. The association provides free job referral services, accommodation information, and opportunities for counseling.

These services are only available to members of the organization.

For more information of JAWHM, please click http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/index.html

The association has three offices:

Other Information

• Alien Registration:
  Working Holiday visa holders are required to apply for alien registration at the nearest local government office within 90 days of arrival.
• Life and Health Insurance:
  Working Holiday visa holders are advised to make arrangements to see that they are fully insured for all medical expenses that may be incurred in connection with illness, injury, or accident during their stay in Japan.
• Ability to Speak Japanese:
  Ability to speak Japanese to some degree is desirable but not required.

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