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

Visa snapshot

Eligible age
18-30
At application
Initial stay
12 mo
From grant
Maximum stay
12 mo from entry
single entry
Visa fee
Check official page
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
GBP 2,500 in cleared funds, or GBP 1,500 plus a return or onward ticket (Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh).
Health and insurance
Must meet Japanese health requirements
Health and insurance details →

Extensions

Further stay
No extension

Quota or ballot

Allocation
6,000 per fiscal year
No ballot

Reciprocal healthcare

Agreement in place
No
Private health insurance needed
Government sourceSource: uk.emb-japan.go.jp · How we verify →
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: GBP 2,500 in cleared funds, or GBP 1,500 plus a return or onward ticket (Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh).
  • Health: Must meet Japanese health requirements

Eligibility and conditions

Who can apply

Open to British citizens resident in the UK, aged 18 to 30, with a valid UK passport. Scotland and North-of-England residents apply via the Consulate-General in Edinburgh.

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).

Repeat participation

A maximum of two times since 1 December 2024: up to two years in total, consecutive or on two separate occasions.

Annual allocation

Annual cap of 6,000.

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

GBP 2,500 in cleared funds, or GBP 1,500 plus a return or onward ticket (Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh).

How to apply

Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-30 and hold a valid British 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. Check the current fee on the official government portal before you apply.
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
British 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 British citizens can go →

Your first-week checklist

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