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
- 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.
Extensions
- Further stay
- No extension
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- Not capped (no limit)
- No ballot
Reciprocal healthcare
- Agreement in place
- No
- Private health insurance needed
On this page
Eligibility at a glance
- Passport: This route is for New Zealander citizens, so you must apply on a valid New Zealander passport.
- Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
- Funds: 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.
- Health: Must meet Japanese health requirements
Eligibility and 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.
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
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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.