Visa snapshot
Verified on 19 June 2026Work 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
- EUR 1,600 with a return or onward ticket, or EUR 3,200 without; a couple applying together shows EUR 2,300 combined.
Extensions
- Further stay
- No extension
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- 800/year; closes once reached
- No ballot
Reciprocal healthcare
- Agreement in place
- No
- Private health insurance needed
On this page
Eligibility at a glance
- Passport: This route is for Irish citizens, so you must apply on a valid Irish passport.
- Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
- Funds: EUR 1,600 with a return or onward ticket, or EUR 3,200 without; a couple applying together shows EUR 2,300 combined.
- Health: Must meet Japanese health requirements
Eligibility and conditions
Who can apply
Open to Irish citizens aged 18 to 30. Insurance is a documented requirement. Register with the Irish Embassy in Tokyo on arrival and apply in person at the Embassy of Japan in Dublin.
General conditions
The visa is free of charge and single entry. Annual caps, the length of stay and repeat-participation rules vary by nationality (see each route).
Health cover
Insurance is mandatory (a documented application requirement), unlike the UK (recommended), Australia (not stated) and New Zealand (optional).
Annual allocation
Lowest annual cap of the five markets: 800 a year.
Funds to show
Funds split by ticket: EUR 1,600 with a ticket, EUR 3,200 without; a couple shows EUR 2,300 combined.
Repeat participation
Twice in a lifetime since 1 January 2025 (two inconsecutive one-year stays).
Application rules
Register with the Irish Embassy in Tokyo on arrival; apply in person at the Embassy of Japan in Dublin.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the Japanese Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Apply Now →Get ready for Japan
Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.
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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.
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.
Plan and book your trip
Useful tools for arranging your insurance, flights and first accommodation.
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Skyscanner
Compare flights to Japan from hundreds of airlines.
Hostelworld
Book your first nights in Japan. Hostels and budget stays.
Other nationalities going to Japan
Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.