Working Holiday Visa
Have you ever thought of going to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa?
Do you think it is too much work filling out forms etc.?
In this review I’m going to write about the experience I made applying for a Working Holiday Visa.
First of all I want to briefly summarize what the Working Holiday Visa is about:
It is a bilateral arrangement between Japan and - for now - 22 countries, allowing the youth (for most countries: age 18-30) to enter the country for the purpose of spending holidays and working.
Since you could argue that you could visit Japan on a Tourist Visa, I would like you to consider the following points. Instead of a 90 day Tourist Visa, the Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay for 365 days. This means you have much more time living in this fascinating culture and getting to know its people. Furthermore it gives you more time to study the – unfortunately very hard – language. A Working Holiday Visa combines these points and offers you a deep insight of Japan. Moreover you don’t have to worry about your financial situation, since you are allowed to take on part time jobs and work. There is no restriction regarding work hours or salary for your time being in Japan on a Working Holiday Visa, with exception to working in adult entertainment or show business (night clubs etc.).
Unfortunately you are not able to purchase a JR-Pass with a Working Holiday Visa. This is a privilege only limited to holders of a Tourist Visa. However, you are able to change your Working Holiday Visa into a Tourist Visa, but make sure that you plan wisely in advance and allow this process to take time.
Before I got started on my application process, there are certain requirements (differ depending on the nationality of the applicant) you have to be aware of. For further information, check out https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html.
The first part of the application process is to gather all necessary documents. Apart of filling out the application form, a document about your plans while in Japan, preparing your curriculum vitae (which you have hopefully already done for former jobs) and stating why you want to visit Japan, copies of other important documents are needed, i.e. a copy of your foreign travel insurance for the time being in Japan.
Of course this takes time, but the amount of time I invested was not overwhelming and to be honest, applications regarding gathering documents, always take time. You should mainly think about the benefits, you will receive when getting your Working Holiday Visa. This makes this procedure much more pleasant.
After having handed in all the information it took about two weeks until I was able to collect my Working Holiday Visa. When entering Japan, I didn’t face any problem whatsoever. Just make sure that you are visiting the municipal office where you live and notify the Ministry of Justice where you live within 14 days of finding a place to settle down.
A few more recommendations before you start applying for your Working Holiday Visa:
Personally, I recommend looking up possible job opportunities while still being in your home country. This takes a lot of pressure of you. The Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers (http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/work_faq.html) answers many important questions. For jobs in general you could look for in various Facebook groups or visit a Hello Work office when entering Japan.
Nevertheless, make sure that you have enough money for the first time until you find a job that suits you. Another helpful option is visiting job hunting fairs!
Have you ever thought of going to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa?
Do you think it is too much work filling out forms etc.?
In this review I’m going to write about the experience I made applying for a Working Holiday Visa.
First of all I want to briefly summarize what the Working Holiday Visa is about:
It is a bilateral arrangement between Japan and - for now - 22 countries, allowing the youth (for most countries: age 18-30) to enter the country for the purpose of spending holidays and working.
Since you could argue that you could visit Japan on a Tourist Visa, I would like you to consider the following points. Instead of a 90 day Tourist Visa, the Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay for 365 days. This means you have much more time living in this fascinating culture and getting to know its people. Furthermore it gives you more time to study the – unfortunately very hard – language. A Working Holiday Visa combines these points and offers you a deep insight of Japan. Moreover you don’t have to worry about your financial situation, since you are allowed to take on part time jobs and work. There is no restriction regarding work hours or salary for your time being in Japan on a Working Holiday Visa, with exception to working in adult entertainment or show business (night clubs etc.).
Unfortunately you are not able to purchase a JR-Pass with a Working Holiday Visa. This is a privilege only limited to holders of a Tourist Visa. However, you are able to change your Working Holiday Visa into a Tourist Visa, but make sure that you plan wisely in advance and allow this process to take time.
Before I got started on my application process, there are certain requirements (differ depending on the nationality of the applicant) you have to be aware of. For further information, check out https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html.
The first part of the application process is to gather all necessary documents. Apart of filling out the application form, a document about your plans while in Japan, preparing your curriculum vitae (which you have hopefully already done for former jobs) and stating why you want to visit Japan, copies of other important documents are needed, i.e. a copy of your foreign travel insurance for the time being in Japan.
Of course this takes time, but the amount of time I invested was not overwhelming and to be honest, applications regarding gathering documents, always take time. You should mainly think about the benefits, you will receive when getting your Working Holiday Visa. This makes this procedure much more pleasant.
After having handed in all the information it took about two weeks until I was able to collect my Working Holiday Visa. When entering Japan, I didn’t face any problem whatsoever. Just make sure that you are visiting the municipal office where you live and notify the Ministry of Justice where you live within 14 days of finding a place to settle down.
A few more recommendations before you start applying for your Working Holiday Visa:
Personally, I recommend looking up possible job opportunities while still being in your home country. This takes a lot of pressure of you. The Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers (http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/work_faq.html) answers many important questions. For jobs in general you could look for in various Facebook groups or visit a Hello Work office when entering Japan.
Nevertheless, make sure that you have enough money for the first time until you find a job that suits you. Another helpful option is visiting job hunting fairs!
