Visa snapshot
Verified on 23 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
- A return or onward ticket, or funds to buy one, plus reasonable funds for the initial stay (no figure is published on the official page).
Extensions
- Further stay
- No extension
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- 6,000/year (raised from 1,000 on 1 April 2024); 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 British citizens, so you must apply on a valid British passport.
- Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
- Funds: A return or onward ticket, or funds to buy one, plus reasonable funds for the initial stay (no figure is published on the official page).
- Health: Must meet Japanese health requirements
Eligibility and conditions
Who can apply
Open to British citizens aged 18 to 30 with a valid UK passport. Scotland and North-of-England residents apply via the Consulate-General in Edinburgh.
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).
Repeat participation
Twice in a lifetime since 1 December 2024 (two consecutive years, or two inconsecutive one-year stays).
Annual allocation
Annual cap of 6,000, higher than Ireland's 800 but below uncapped Australia and New Zealand.
Reciprocal scheme
Linked to the reciprocal UK Youth Mobility Scheme for Japanese nationals.
Application rules
Scotland and North-of-England residents apply via the Consulate-General in Edinburgh.
Funds to show
Funds are described qualitatively on the official page; no GBP figure is published.
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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Hostelworld
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Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.