Mount Fuji framed by cherry blossoms across Lake Kawaguchi in spring.
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Japan Working Holiday Visa
for New Zealander citizens

Visa snapshot

Eligible age
18-30
At application
Initial stay
1 yr
From grant
Maximum stay
1 yr; no extension
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
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 and insurance
Must meet Japanese health requirements
Health and insurance details →

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
Government sourceSource: nz.emb-japan.go.jp · How we verify →
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

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

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.

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 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
New Zealander 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 New Zealander citizens can go →

Your first-week checklist

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