Visa snapshot
Verified on 19 June 2026- Funds required
- NZD 3,000 single (NZD 4,500 couple) with a return ticket; an extra NZD 1,000 if no ticket. A three-month bank statement; credit cards and loans are not accepted.
- 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.
- Extensions
- No extension
- Reciprocal healthcare
- No
- Private health insurance needed
- Quota / ballot
- Not capped (no limit)
- No ballot
- Health & insurance
- Must meet Japanese health requirements
Government sourceVerified on 19 June 2026 by the WHE research team · Source: nz.emb-japan.go.jp · How we verify →
The detail
Eligibility & conditions
Who can apply
Open to New Zealand citizens aged 18 to 30. Apply in person at the counter; agents and postal applications are not accepted.
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).
Length and stay
Explicitly no extension of stay, unlike Canada (extendable) and the UK.
Annual allocation
Uncapped.
Repeat participation
Twice in a lifetime since December 2024 (two inconsecutive one-year stays), provided the first was on a New Zealand passport.
Application rules
Apply in person at the counter; agents and postal applications are not accepted.
Application
How to apply
Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-30 and hold a valid New Zealander passport.
Gather your documents
You will need your passport, a recent photo, health insurance details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Apply online
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 →You will be taken to the official Japanese Government website.
Other nationalities