As an Aussie, I believe the best way to experience life in Japan with no strings attached is to get yourself a Working Holiday Visa.
Applying for a Working Holiday Visa can feel like a daunting task, but as long as you are eligible and prepare and submit the necessary documents, it’s guaranteed approval!
Check If You’re Eligible
The first thing you should do before you commit to (and waste time) applying is to make sure you are eligible. For Australians, simply refer to the Consulate General of Japan website and go through the checklist.
Perhaps the biggest filter here is the age range, as the Working Holiday Visa is only applicable to those aged 18–30 years old from the time of application. You will also need to be an Australian citizen (if you are applying from Australia) and you will need at least 2,500 AUD in your savings account.
Make An Appointment Online
I recommend making an appointment before preparing your documents for two reasons:
- Earliest available slots typically start from one month when you make your booking.
- It stops you from procrastinating in getting your documents done (there’s a lot to prepare!).
You can navigate to the online booking page on the Consulate General of Japan website and choose your preferred date and time. As an alternative, you can also walk in without an appointment, but this often leads to long wait times that may extend to closing time.
Prepare Your Documents
At first glance, the long list of required documents will look quite discouraging, but when you break it down it’s a lot easier to prepare them in a short time.
Some of the required documents include your passport, resume/CV, and bank statements, all of which are probably already in your possession.
Documents that you need to actively prepare include a visa application form, declaration of intent, proposed schedule, and letter of purpose.
The Consulate General of Japan does not provide samples for the letter of purpose, but it is recommended to type out an A4 page of why you want this visa and what you hope to experience during your year in Japan.
Some of the things I wrote about included a desire to improve my Japanese language skills, try different foods, experience Japanese culture, and find new inspiration for my travel blog.
You will also need to present a flight confirmation or show that you have the funds to purchase a ticket (in addition to the 2,500 AUD minimum).
Attend Your Appointment
Once you’ve completed and printed all the necessary documentation, you can make your way to your city’s General Consulate of Japan embassy office.
The man at the front entrance will ask if you have a booking and will hand you a ticket number upon confirmation.
When your ticket number is called, simply go to your designated counter and hand in your passport and documents (take them out of any plastic sleeve and ensure nothing is stapled).
You will be asked to take a seat once again, and if there are any issues with your documents you will be asked for clarification. In my case, I was asked to change my “intended length of stay” from 18 months to 6 months, as Australian Working Holidayers are required to apply for visa renewal every 6 months.
Once you’re all clear, you’ll be given an appointment slip to come back to the office in one week, (hopefully) to collect your Working Holiday Visa!
Most likely (unless you’ve made a serious mistake with your application), you will be given your Japan Working Holiday Visa within 5 business days of your application.
The visa will appear in your passport on one of the blank pages and will indicate the visa category, length of stay, and other accompanying information that you can present at airport immigration.
You’re Good To Go!
That’s it!
You are now ready to make your way to Japan for the adventure of a lifetime!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
