The governments of Japan and the United Kingdom will start, a Working-Holiday
scheme, which provides wider opportunities, particularly for young
people to experience the culture and general way of life of the
other country for the purpose of promoting greater mutual understanding
between Japan and the United Kingdom. This scheme makes it possible
for citizens of one country to enter the other primarily for a holiday
over an extended period and to be able to take work incidental to
their holiday in order to supplement their travel funds.
With this visa, British 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 Government of Japan will issue Working Holiday
visas to applicants who satisfy all of the following prerequisites.
The Working Holiday visa is not appropriate for
those wishing to enter Japan to engage in full-time employment
or to enrol in academic institutions.
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Applicant Prerequisites
be the
British citizens who are resident in the United Kingdom.
intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a period of up to one
year from the date of entry.
be aged between eighteen (18) and twenty-five (25) years both
inclusive at the time of application for the said visa, except
in those cases where the competent authorities of the Government of Japan
agree to extend the limitation of age up to thirty (30) years.
be persons who are not accompanied by children.
be persons who are not accompanied by spouses unless those spouses
are in possession of the said visa or otherwise.
possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket or sufficient
funds with which to purchase such a ticket.
possess reasonable funds for their maintenance during the period
of initial stay in Japan.
intend to leave Japan at the end of their stay.
have not previously been issued the said visa.
have good health.
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Application Procedure
Those wishing to apply for a Working Holiday visa are required
to submit, along with a valid British passport, one copy each
of the following documents to the appropriate consular missions
of the Government of Japan in the United Kingdom. Statements made
in these documents must be true and accurate.
A personal history, resume or curriculum vita
typed on A4 paper
A proposed itinerary for the first six months
in Japan, including details of prearranged employment, if any
A written reason for applying for a Working
Holiday visa typed on A4 paper
Appropriate evidence of either a travel ticket
to and from Japan or a confirmed reservation to and from Japan
along with appropriate evidence, such as a copy of the bank
statement, that the applicant possesses the minimum amount of
£1,500 for a single applicant who has a travel ticket
or a receipt showing payment for the ticket or £2,500
for a single applicant who has only a confirmed reservation.
In the case of a couple applying for two visas, the minimum
amounts are £2,500 and £4,500 respectively. Traveller's
cheques are acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds.
In some cases, additional documents may be required.
Attention:
Working Holiday visas may be issued for
up to 400 people in a Japanese fiscal year, that is April through
March. Therefore, at the time such a number of visas have been
issued, acceptance for applications will close. A visa fee of
£7.00 must be paid in exchange for the visa issued.
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Explanatory Material
Explanatory material and the necessary forms are available
at the Consulate-General of Japan in London and the Consulate-General of
Japan in Edinburgh. Applications are made in person at the Consulate-General
of Japan in London or the Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh, and applicants
may be interviewed. The processing time may vary with the Consulate at which
the application is submitted.
Consulate-General of Japan
----------------------------------Edinburgh
2 Melville Crescent
Edinburgh EH3 7HW
Tel: 0131-225 4777
URL: http://www.edinburgh.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/
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Other Information
It is recommended that insurance coverage be arranged
before leaving the United Kingdom, as under the conditions of employment for
the Working Holiday visa the period of employment is usually not long enough
to qualify for coverage provided by employers or companies.
Applicants will not be able to engage themselves
in activities, which are considered to go against policies of the Working
Holiday scheme such as working at places where businesses, which may affect
public morals, operate.
Working Holiday visas are for single entry.
Therefore, if the Working Holiday maker has to leave Japan for any reason
and wishes to return to Japan, it is essential that the person obtain a re-entry
permit from the Immigration Authorities before leaving Japan.
Within 90 days of arrival in Japan, Working
Holiday makers must apply for alien registration at the Local Government Office
near to where they are staying.
Arriving in Japan, Working Holiday makers should
register with the British Embassy in Tokyo or the British Consulate-General
in Osaka. This will mean that the Embassy or Consulate know the whereabouts
of the Working Holiday maker in Japan so that they can try to help in the
case of an accident or emergency. For further information, contact the Embassy
or the Consulate-General. The details are:
British
Embassy Consular Section
----------------------------------Tokyo
No. 1 Ichibancho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-8381
Tel: 03-5211-1100
Fax: 03-5275-0346
Email: consular@tokyo.mail.fco.gov.uk
British Consulate-General
----------------------------------Osaka
Epson Osaka Building 19F
3-5-1 Bakuro-machi
Chuo-ku
Osaka 541-0059
Tel: 06-6281-1616
Fax: 06-6281-1731
Email: bcgosaka@mail.fco.gov.uk
URL: http://www.uknow.or.jp/
Keep
your registration with the Embassy or the Consulate-General up to date and
inform them of any change of details or address. Also let them know when you
leave Japan permanently.
Information of Working-Holiday scheme Visa
