Working Holiday VISA for Japan

 

PURPOSE OF THE WORKING HOLIDAY SCHEME

The Japan-New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme was established in 1985. The reciprocal arrangement is intended to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. Visas are issued to young New Zealanders intent on contributing to these purposes.

The Scheme enables visa holders to enter Japan for a long-term holiday, and if necessary, work on a casual/temporary basis to supplement travel funds. It is not for the purpose of regular full-time employment in Japan.

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

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the grant of a Working Holiday Visa you must:

1. Be a New Zealand passport holder residing in New Zealand. New Zealand citizens who are travelling or living abroad will not be eligible.
2. Be aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) at the time of application
3. Have no dependent children
4. Be in good health and have no criminal record
5. Have not previously entered Japan on a Working Holiday Visa (on a passport of any country)

You must also agree that your main reason for visiting is to holiday and that any work should be casual/temporary to supplement funds. If your main purpose is to engage in activities for income/remuneration, you will be asked to apply for a work visa.

STEP ONE

Please submit the following items:

1. VALID NEW ZEALAND PASSPORT (signed)
2. APPLICATION FORM (SAMPLE) – Please complete every line of the form
3. PASSPORT PHOTO – Taken within the last six months, and glued to the application form
4. LETTER STATING REASONS FOR APPLYING FOR A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA – Typewritten on A4 paper (must be one page in length). Please sign and date.
5. CURRICULUM VITAE – Detailing your personal, educational and employment history. Must be up-to-date.
6. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION – This can be from your employer, supervisor or lecturer in New Zealand. If you cannot obtain one, a character reference from someone who has known you (not a relative) for several years may be acceptable. It must be recently prepared in support of your application (and mention your application). Must be signed and dated by the writer and include his/her contact details.
7. ITINERARY IN JAPAN - Use the attached STAY PROGRAMME form. The schedule must be completed in detail, without remarks such as “unknown” or “as above”.

We recommend that you DO NOT purchase your air ticket before your application is approved in principle.

STEP TWO

Upon advice that the initial visa application has been approved in principle, applicants must produce, either in person or by registered/courier post, the following documents:

1. PROOF OF PRE-PAID AIR TICKET – Air ticket, clear photocopy of air ticket, or letter from travel agent showing dates, flight numbers. Please also provide evidence that your ticket has been paid for in full. Applicant must purchase a return or ongoing ticket into and out of Japan.        

If you cannot book your flights in advance, please see 2(i) below.

2. PROOF OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT INITIAL STAY IN JAPAN – Please provide an official bank statement (on letterhead and/or stamped) which shows the last month’s transactions. This will need to show at least NZ $3,000 (or NZ $4,500 for a married couple), exclusive of the cost of your flights.

2(i) If your tickets are not yet booked or purchased, you must provide bank statements that show at least NZ $5000 (or $8500 for a married couple).

NOTE

1. (a) Only your passport will be returned to you
    (b) Additional documentation may be required
    (c) Some applicants may require an interview
    (d) Applications from agents or group applications will not be accepted
    (e) Please allow at least three weeks for the processing of the application

2. (a) Where to lodge your application:

• Residents of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions should apply to the Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland
• Residents of Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Wellington, Marlborough, Tasman, West Coast, Otago & Southland regions should apply to the Embassy of Japan in Wellington
• Residents of Canterbury region should apply to the Consular Office of Japan in Christchurch

Consulate-General of Japan Level 12, ASB Bank Centre 135 Albert Street (P O Box 3959) Auckland Tel: (09) 303 4106 e-mail: visa@ac.mofa.go.jp

Embassy of Japan Level 18, The Majestic Centre 100 Willis Street (P O Box 6340) Wellington Tel: (04) 473 1540 e-mail: consular@wl.mofa.go.jp

Consular Office of Japan 12 Peterborough Street (P O Box 13-748) Christchurch Tel: (03) 366 5680 e-mail: enquiry.chc@wl.mofa.go.jp

(b) Applicants residing out of the metropolitan Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch areas may apply by post.

(c) If postal applicants wish to have their passport returned to them by mail, they must provide a self-addressed, pre-paid return courier/registered envelope. All postal applications must be accompanied by a Release of Liability form.

3. (a) Life and Health Insurance – It is recommended that insurance is arranged before leaving New Zealand. The period of employment allowed under the Working Holiday visa is not usually long enough to qualify for cover under Japanese company employee schemes.
(b)  Validity of Visa – Applicants must enter Japan within one year of the date of issue of the visa.
(c) Period of Stay – Stay permission is for one year only. This may not be extended.
(d) Re-entry permit – The Working Holiday visa is only valid for a single entry. Therefore, if the Working Holidaymaker has to leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return under the same status, it is essential that he/she obtains a re-entry permit from the local Immigration Authorities before leaving Japan.
(e) Alien Registration – Within 90 days of arrival in Japan, Working Holidaymakers must apply for alien registration at their local Government Office.
(f) Regional Immigration Bureaus will help with the above Immigration procedures.

Location	Address	Tel:
Tokyo	Konan 5-5-30, Minato-ku, Tokyo  108-8255	(03) 5796 7111
Osaka	Nankou Kita 1-29-53, Suminoe-ku, Osaka 559-0034	(06) 4703 2100
Nagoya	Shoho-cho 5-18, Minato-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi 455-8601	(052) 559 2114
Hiroshima	Kami-hacchobori 6-30, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0012	(082) 221 4411
Fukuoka	Shimo-usui 778-1 , Hakata-ku, Fukuoka  812-0003	(092) 623 2400
Sendai	Gorin 1-3-20, Miyagino-ku, Sendai  983-0842	(022) 256 6076
Sapporo	Odori-nishi, 12-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0042	(011) 261 7502
Takamatsu	Marunouchi 1-1, Takamatsu, Kagawa, 760-0033	(087) 822 5852

(g) Useful tips regarding living in Japan can be found at Guide to Living in Japan  http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html in a Booklet or leaflet form.
(h) JNTO (Japan National Tourist Organisation) – A Government organisation established to promote international exchange through tourism. Provides up-to-date information on travel, and operates Tourist Information Centres for foreign visitors to Japan.
Website: www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html

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