Japan working holiday visa: the 32 partner countries, age limits and yearly caps

Japan runs working holiday programmes with 32 countries and regions, as of 1 April, 2026. The first was Australia in 1980. The visa lets young people spend a holiday in Japan and work to top up their travel funds. Most applicants must be 18 to 30 and living in their own country.

Updated October 5, 2026

32partner countries and regions

18–30age range for most

Since 1980first programme (Australia)

Guide

The 32 partner countries and regions

Japan's working holiday programmes: 32 partner countries and regions, start year and visas per year (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, as of 1 April, 2026)
Country or region	Since	Visas per year	Times you can join
Australia	1980	No limit	Once
New Zealand	1985	No limit	Twice
Canada	1986	6,283	Twice
South Korea	1999	10,000	Twice
France	2000	1,800	Once
Germany	2000	No limit	Twice
United Kingdom	2001	6,000	Twice
Ireland	2007	800	Twice
Denmark	2007	No limit	Twice
Taiwan	2009	10,000	Twice
Hong Kong	2010	1,500	Once
Norway	2013	No limit	Once
Portugal	2015	No limit	Once
Poland	2015	500	Once
Slovakia	2016	400	Twice
Austria	2016	200	Twice
Hungary	2017	200	Once
Spain	2017	700	Once
Argentina	2017	From Japan to Argentina: 200 From Argentina to Japan: 400	Once
Chile	2018	200	Once
Iceland	2018	30	Once
Czech Republic	2018	400	Once
Lithuania	2019	100	Once
Sweden	2020	No limit	Once
Estonia	2020	From Japan to Estonia: no limit From Estonia to Japan: 100	Once
Netherlands	2020	200	Once
Uruguay	2023	100	Once
Finland	2023	From Japan to Finland: no limit From Finland to Japan: 200	Once
Latvia	2023	100	Once
Luxembourg	2024	100	Once
Malta	2026	100	Once
Italy	2026	500	Once

Who can apply

The ministry's requirements, in its own words.

MOFAThe working holiday programmes are, based on bilateral arrangements, intended to make it possible for the youth of Japan and its partner countries/regions to enter each country/region primarily for the purpose of spending holidays while allowing them to engage in employment as an incidental activity of their holidays for the purpose of supplementing their travel funds.The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

MOFABeing between 18 and 30 years of age both inclusive at the time of application for the visa; As for Australia, Canada, South Korea and Ireland, an applicant should be between 18 and 25 years of age except in those cases where the competent authorities of each applicable country and Japan agree to extend the limitation of age to 30 years.The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

MOFANever having been issued a Japanese working holiday visa in the past.The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

Your main purpose is a holiday in Japan for a set length of time.
You are not accompanied by dependents or children.
You hold a valid passport and a return ticket, or enough money to buy one.
You have reasonable funds for the first part of your stay.
You are in good health.

Countries that allow a second working holiday

MOFAStarting from 1 December, 2024, the nationals of Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, and Austria are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime ((1) two consecutive years of stay/two inconsecutive one-year stays in total for nationals of Canada and the United Kingdom, or (2) two inconsecutive one-year stays in total for nationals of New Zealand, Denmark and Austria).The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

MOFAStarting from 1 January, 2025, the nationals of Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime (two inconsecutive one-year stays in total).The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

MOFAStarting from 1 October, 2025, the nationals of South Korea are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime (two inconsecutive one-year stays in total).The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

MOFAStarting from 1 February, 2026, the people of Taiwan are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime (two inconsecutive one-year stays in total).The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

Where to apply and what work is allowed

MOFAThe application for the visa must be made to Japan Embassy or Consulate-General in your country/region or Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (Taipei Office or Kaohsiung Office).The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

MOFAThe working holiday programmes participants are strictly prohibited from working at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling establishments and other premises affecting public morals in Japan.The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

After arriving, participants register their address at the municipal office within 14 days of finding a place to live.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries have a working holiday agreement with Japan?

32 countries and regions as of 1 April, 2026: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Iceland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, Netherlands, Uruguay, Finland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Italy.

What is the age limit for a Japan working holiday visa?

Being between 18 and 30 years of age both inclusive at the time of application for the visa; As for Australia, Canada, South Korea and Ireland, an applicant should be between 18 and 25 years of age except in those cases where the competent authorities of each applicable country and Japan agree to extend the limitation of age to 30 years.

Can I do a working holiday in Japan twice?

Nationals of Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Slovakia, South Korea, Taiwan and United Kingdom can take part twice, under the revisions the ministry lists. For other partners the rule is one working holiday visa in a lifetime.

Where do I apply for a Japan working holiday visa?

The application for the visa must be made to Japan Embassy or Consulate-General in your country/region or Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (Taipei Office or Kaohsiung Office).