Working Holiday Visa
Eligibility Prerequisites
- Must be a Canadian citizen currently residing in Canada;
- Intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific period of time;
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application;
- Possess a valid Canadian passport and a return travel ticket;
- Possess reasonable funds for their maintenance, including medical expenses, during the period of initial stay in Japan;
- Be in good health and not have a criminal record;
Valid for stay of:
About the program
For the purpose of promoting greater mutual understanding between Japan and Canada, the governments of these two countries agreed in 1986 to start a Working Holiday scheme to help encourage the exchange of young people. This program makes it possible for citizens of one country to enter the other primarily for a holiday over an extended period, and also to engage in employment as an incidental aspect of their trip in order to supplement their travel funds.
The Government of Japan, on a reciprocal basis, will issue, free of charge, a single entry visa for the Working Holiday to persons who satisfy each of the requirements outlined below:
The working holiday visa is not applicable to persons wishing to enter Japan to engage in full-time employment or to enroll in academic institutions.
Instructions
- Use letter-sized paper, typed or written legibly, in print.
- Do not fold or staple the documents. Write in black ink only and do not use correcting fluid. (Should you make a mistake, strike it off and write above or next to it.)
- Documents using AI-generated content will not be accepted.
From April 1, 2025, WH visa applications may be accepted in person at our office or by post. Please note that if any of the required documents listed below are missing or incomplete, the application will be returned without being processed.
- Valid Canadian passport and a photocopy of the passport's first page (the one with your picture);
- Application Form filled out (Sample);
- Do not leave any blanks; if an item does not apply to you, write "Not Applicable" or "N/A".
- The signature must be identical to the one in your passport.
- Unless you have a plan to stay in a specific place in Japan, write "N/A" in the "Guarantor or Reference in Japan" and "Inviter in Japan" sections.
- One photo (45mm × 35mm; Canadian passport size is also acceptable)
- The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months, with the date stamped at the back.
- The photo must be of professional quality, showing your full face, without hats or backgrounds.
- Do not stick the photo onto the form.
- Personal resume/curriculum vitae (ie. CV as used in Canada);
- Detailed itinerary of your stay in Japan;
- Make sure to provide sufficient details; for example "Visiting Tokyo" or "Work" are not an acceptable entries.
- Write a concrete and detailed plan.
- Letter explaining your reasons for applying for a Working Holiday visa;
- Doctor's note stating that you are in good health (Original note);
- Must be issued within one month preceding the application.
- Format is at the discretion of the physician. The Consulate does not provide a form to be filled out by the physician.
- Medical tests required to issue the doctor's note are at the discretion of the physician.
- Minimum amount of $3,500 CAD ($4,500 CAD for a married couple) in a bank statement providing proof of that amount;
- Must show the applicant's name as account holder and the date of issuance.
- Balance must be no older than 14 days prior to the application.
- Flight confirmation
- If you have not booked a flight, you must submit a flight itinerary issued by an airline AND an additional $1,000 CAD to the above amount.
---Additional documents necessary for mail-in applications---
- Prepaid and pre-addressed envelope with tracking number (Canada Post "XPress Post", FedEX or Purolator ONLY)
- RELEASE FORM FOR WH VISA
Application for the Working Holiday visa must be made at the diplomatic or one of the consular missions of the Government of Japan in Canada. Applicants will be interviewed, when necessary, by the representatives of such missions to determine their eligibility.
Please note that all of the above may be modified without prior notice.
Other Information
- Note 1: The visa will be issued for an initial stay of 1 year. You may apply for an additional 1-year extension during your stay in Japan, provided that you have never obtained a Working Holiday visa in the past.
- Note 2: Each traveler may stay in Japan on a Working Holiday status for 2 years maximum in a lifetime. You may apply for a Working Holiday visa for a second time, for a stay of 1 year (non-extendable), provided that you have never held a Working Holiday status for more than 1 year in the past.
- It is recommended that insurance coverage be arranged before leaving Canada as under the conditions of employment for the Working Holiday Visas. The period of employment is usually not long enough to qualify for coverage undertaken by the employers or companies.
- Applicants must enter Japan within twelve months after the date of issue of the visa; the visa is valid for twelve months.
- Working Holiday visas are single entry. Therefore, if the Working Holiday participant has to leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return, it is essential that the person obtain a re-entry permit from the Immigration Authorities before leaving Japan.
- Working Holiday visitors will be issued a resident card at the port of entry. Please visit a local municipal office in Japan with your resident card within 14 days of finding a place to reside. Please click here and here for more information.
- You should ask for a statement of earnings in English while in Japan and call Revenue Canada for the appropriate information when you return to Canada.
Additional information may be obtained from the Embassy of Japan in Ottawa and the Consulates General of Japan in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal.