Both the governments of Japan and the United Kingdom are committed to cultivate closer bilateral relationship among their citizens, promoting mutual understanding between two countries. From 2001, Japan has operated the "Working Holiday Scheme" for the British, and the UK operated the "Japan: Youth Exchange Scheme" for the Japanese, both of which provide wider opportunities for young people to experience the culture and general way of life in the other country.

Under the"Working Holiday Scheme", a limited number of British citizens who wish to stay in Japan up to one year primarily for a holiday may be granted a visa, which allows them to enter Japan for up to one year, and take work for up to one year, incidental to their holiday in order to supplement their travel funds. British participants need not obtain further permission to engage in remunerative activities while in Japan, although they are not allowed to be engaged in activities at certain sites stipulated under the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Businesses.*

In October 2008, the government of the United Kingdom announced that it would introduce a new scheme for young people, the "Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)", which would replace the UK's existing schemes for young people, including the "Japan: Youth Exchange Scheme". Following consultations between the two governments, it was arranged that Japan would be one of the first four participating countries in the YMS from its launch on 27 November, 2008. Although this new development does not change the basic structure (as described in the previous paragraph) of the "Working Holiday Scheme", the government of Japan is pleased to announce that, from the same date as the launch of the YMS, a wider range of British citizens have become eligible for the "Working Holiday Scheme" as indicated below.

* these sites include: where adult entertainment related businesses are carried out.

The "Working Holiday Scheme" from 27 November 2008 can be summarised s as follows:

Applicant Prerequisites

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

• 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 thirty (30) years both inclusive at the time of application for the said visa (this amended condition has been in place since 27 November 2008).
• 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

Materials to be Submitted

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.

1. One completed visa application form
2. One photograph approx. 35mm x 45mm in size (taken within 6 months)
3. A personal history, resume or curriculum vita typed on A4 paper
4. A proposed itinerary for the whole stay in Japan (up to 12 months), including details of prearranged employment, if any
5. A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday visa typed on A4 paper
6. Either ¡ò2,500 in cleared funds (last 3 months bank statements must be shown)
   Or ¡ò1,500 and a return or onward journey ticket or a receipt for such.
   (Traveller's cheques, credit cards and overdrafts are not acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds)
   (In the case of a married couple applying for two visas, the minimum amounts are ¡ò4,500 and ¡ò2,500 respectively.)
7. In some cases, additional documents may be required.

Application Procedure

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 should be submitted in person at the Consulate-General of Japan in London and applicants may be interviewed. However, visa applicants living in the north of England (Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria, Tyne and Wear and Cleveland) and Scotland may apply to the Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh.

Consulate-General of Japan
101-104 Piccadilly
London W1J 7JT
Tel: 020 7465 6565

Consulate-General of Japan in Edinburgh
2 Melville Crescent
Edinburgh EH3 7HW
Tel: 0131-225 4777

Support Organisation

The Japan Association for Working-Holiday Makers(JAWHM) is a non-profit organisation, established under the authorisation of the Japanese Government. This Association is the only organisation in Japan that specialises in providing assistance for the participants in the Working-Holiday Program. The following offices will provide appropriate counselling services to British citizens who have entered Japan on a Working Holiday visa.

Tokyo Head Office
Ichigaya KT Building­µ 5th Floor
4-7-16 Kudanminami
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074
Tel: 03-3265-3321
Fax: 03-3265-3325

Osaka Branch
L. Osaka 4F
3-14 Kitahamahigashi
Chuo-ku
Osaka 540-0031
Tel: 06-6946-7010
Fax: 06-6946-7021

Fukuoka Working Holiday Information Point
Momochi Palace 4F Culture Center
2-3-15
Momochi
Sawara-ku
Fukuoka-shi
Fukuoka 814-0006
Tel: 090-3546-3972
Fax: 090-851-1028

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
No. 1 Ichibancho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-8381
Tel: 03-5211-1100
Fax: 03-5275-0346
British Government official website in Japan
Email: consular.tokyo@fco.gov.uk

British Consulate-General
Epson Osaka Building 19F
3-5-1 Bakuro-machi
Chuo-ku
Osaka 541-0059
Tel: 06-6120-5600
Fax: 06-6281-1731
Email: consular.osaka@fco.gov.uk

Please keep your registration with the Embassy or the Consulate-General up to date and inform them of any change of details or address. Also please let them know when you leave Japan permanently.