Visiting Japan

2025/2/24

Introduction of Working Holiday Scheme between Japan and Ireland

As of 1 January 2025, the Working Holiday Visa can be granted twice in a lifetime (up to two one-year-period of stays obtained on separate occasions).

Background

On 1 January 2007, the governments of Japan and Ireland introduced a Working Holiday scheme between both countries, which provides wider opportunities, particularly for young people to experience the culture and way of life of the other country for the purpose of promoting greater mutual understanding. Under the scheme citizens of one country are able to enter the other primarily for the purpose of holiday for up to one year and to work incidentally to supplement their travel and living expenses.

With this visa, Irish citizens need not obtain further permission to engage in remunerative activities while in Japan, provided these activities do not contravene Japanese laws and regulations, especially those regulating businesses offering food and entertainment as well as any other regulations in force which affect public order and good morals.

The Working Holiday visa is not appicalble to those wishing to engage in full-time employment or to enrol in academic institutions in Japan. Applicants with the sole aim of working in Japan cannot apply for this visa. Working Holiday participants are strictly prohibited from working at places affecting public morals.

 

Applicant Prerequisites

Working Holiday visas, valid for a period of one year from the date of issue, will be issued to persons who satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. be Irish citizens who are resident in Ireland (accordingly, Irish citizens travelling or living outside of Ireland are not eligible)
  2. intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a period of up to one year from the date of entry
  3. be aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years both inclusive at the time of application for the said visa
  4. be not accompanied by dependents not in possession of the said visa or otherwise
  5. possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket;
    possess enough funds for immediate living expenses during initial stay in Japan
  6. intend to leave Japan at the end of their stay
  7. have not previously been issued the said visa
  8. have good health and no criminal record
  9. carry a health insurance policy
     

Application Procedure

Those wishing to apply for a Working Holiday visa are required to submit, along with a valid Irish passport, one copy of each of the following documents to the Consular Section of the Embassy of Japan in Ireland. Statements made in these documents must be true and accurate.

  1. Valid passport
  2. One completed visa application form
  3. One photograph approx. 35mm x 45mm in size (taken within last 6 months)
  4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (Form 1)
  5. An outline of intended length of stay and activities (Form 2)
  6. A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday visa typed on A4 paper
  7. A return or onward journey ticket and evidence that applicant possesses at least 1600 euro in clear funds or evidence that applicant possesses at least 3200 euro in clear funds. (In the case of a married couple applying for two visas, the minimum amounts for the couple is 2300 euro.)
  8. A copy of overseas travel Insurance Policy which is valid during the stay in Japan
  9. Additional documents or interviews may be required to verify the eligibility of an applicant for the Scheme whenever the Embassy deems necessary

Important note: Working Holiday visas may be issued for up to 800 persons per year. Therefore, at the time such a number of visas have been issued, acceptance for applications will close. This visa issued is free of charge.

 

Explanatory Material

Explanatory material and the necessary forms are available at the Embassy of Japan in Ireland. Applications are to be made in person at the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, and applicants may be interviewed.
 

Embassy of Japan
Nutley Building, Merrion Centre, Nutley Lane, Dublin 4, D04 RP73
Tel: 01-202-8300

 

Other Information

 

  1. Applicants will not be able to engage themselves in activities, which are considered to go against policies of the Working Holiday scheme, including working at places where businesses that may affect public morals operate
  2. Working Holiday visas are for single entry. Therefore, if the Working Holiday visa holder has to leave Japan for any reason and thereafter wishes to return to Japan, it is essential that they obtain a re-entry permit from the Japanese Immigration Authorities before leaving Japan
  3. Within 14 days of moving into an address in Japan, Working Holiday visa holders must apply for Resident Registration at a local government Office near to where they are living.
  4. Upon arrival in Japan, Working Holiday visa holders should register with the Irish Embassy in Tokyo. This will mean that the Embassy knows the whereabouts of Irish Working Holiday visa holders in Japan so that they may help Irish visa holders in the case of an accident or emergency. For further information, contact the Irish Embassy. 
  5. For information on finding employment, please see the following websites:
         - Employment Policy for Foreign Workers: www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/employ-labour/employment-security/foreignworkers.html
         - Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers: www.jawhm.or.jp/attention.html

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