Visa snapshot
Verified on 20 June 2026- 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).
- 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
- 6,000/year (raised from 1,000 on 1 April 2024); closes once reached
- No ballot
- Health & insurance
- Must meet Japanese health requirements
Eligibility & conditions
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.
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).
Twice in a lifetime since 1 December 2024 (two consecutive years, or two inconsecutive one-year stays).
Annual cap of 6,000, higher than Ireland's 800 but below uncapped Australia and New Zealand.
Linked to the reciprocal UK Youth Mobility Scheme for Japanese nationals.
Scotland and North-of-England residents apply via the Consulate-General in Edinburgh.
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.
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