Mount Fuji framed by cherry blossoms across Lake Kawaguchi in spring.
HomeJapanBy nationalityCanadian citizens

Japan Working Holiday Visa
for Canadian citizens

Visa snapshot

Eligible age
18-30
At application
Initial stay
12 mo
From grant
Maximum stay
12 mo, extendable by up to 12 more in Japan
single entry
Visa fee
Free
Processing time
2-4 weeks
Typical

Work and study

Work rights
Paid work is allowed to support your holiday. Work in bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling venues and other businesses that affect public morals (the Entertainment Business Act) is not allowed. The visa is single entry, so you need a re-entry permit to leave and come back.
Study rights
Study and short courses are allowed alongside the working holiday.

Funds and health

Funds required
CAD 3,500 single, CAD 4,500 couple; funds must also cover medical expenses.
Health and insurance
Must meet Japanese health requirements
Health and insurance details →

Extensions

Further stay
No extension

Quota or ballot

Allocation
6,283/year (2026 annual allocation)
No ballot

Reciprocal healthcare

Agreement in place
No
Private health insurance needed
Government sourceSource: ca.emb-japan.go.jp · How we verify →
On this page

Eligibility at a glance

  • Passport: This route is for Canadian citizens, so you must apply on a valid Canadian passport.
  • Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
  • Funds: CAD 3,500 single, CAD 4,500 couple; funds must also cover medical expenses.
  • Health: Must meet Japanese health requirements

Eligibility and conditions

Who can apply

Open to Canadian citizens aged 18 to 30. The Ottawa office requires a doctor’s note confirming fitness to travel.

General conditions

Whether a visa fee applies depends on your nationality. The fee for your nationality is shown above. The visa is single entry. Annual caps, the length of stay and repeat-participation rules vary by nationality (see each route).

Length and stay

Stay can be extended by up to a further year, unlike New Zealand which cannot extend.

Health cover

A doctor’s note confirming good health is required (Ottawa), unique among these routes.

Repeat participation

Twice in a lifetime since 1 December 2024.

Annual allocation

Annual allocation of 6,283; we publish the allocation, not a live remaining count.

How to apply

Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-30 and hold a valid Canadian passport.
Gather your documents
You will need your passport, a recent photo, health insurance details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Apply through the official portal
Submit your application through the official government portal. There is no visa fee.
Wait for a decision
Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks. Most applications are decided within days.
Ready to apply?
Apply on the official government portal

Applications are submitted through the Japanese Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Apply Now →
This link leaves Working Holiday Essentials and opens the official Japanese Government website.

Get ready for Japan

Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.

Essential setup

Banking

Open a local account soon after you arrive in Japan so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.

Providers: Revolut, Wise

Mobile and connectivity

Set up a local number or eSIM in Japan for data and calls. The major networks have the widest coverage; budget MVNOs run on the same towers for less.

Providers: Airalo, Holafly
You will need private health insurance
Canadian citizens are not covered by a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Japan, so you must arrange your own cover. Read the healthcare guide

Other nationalities going to Japan

All routes to Japan →Where else Canadian citizens can go →

Your first-week checklist

The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.