Working Holiday for UK citizens travelling to Japan
Japan operates a Working Holiday programme with the UK allowing limited work and travel for young adults — separate from the 90-day exemption.
For a full UK citizen passport. Other British passport types can follow a different rule.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | British citizens within the age band published by Japan for the UK scheme. |
| Maximum stay | The UK–Japan Working Holiday scheme allows stays of up to 12 months on the granted visa (Embassy of Japan Working Holiday page (opens in a new tab)). |
| Cost | Single-entry visa fee GBP 8 and multiple-entry GBP 16 on the Embassy of Japan visa fees page (opens in a new tab) (Working Holiday uses the standard visa fee table). |
| Processing time | The UK embassy states visa processing is normally about 5 working days for a complete Working Holiday application. |
| How to apply | Japanese embassy Working Holiday visa application. |
| Official link | Use the authority’s own website. Entry Visa Guide does not take applications. · Embassy of Japan in the UK: Working Holiday (opens in a new tab) |
Apply only on the government website linked above. This site does not issue visas or travel authorisations and does not take applications. Other websites charge their own service fee on top of any government charge.
How to apply
- Confirm age limits and annual quota on the embassy page.
- Apply for the Working Holiday visa before travel.
- Follow work and stay conditions on the visa.
FAQ
Is Working Holiday the same as 90-day entry?
No. It is a separate visa with work rights.
Can I switch from tourist to Working Holiday in Japan?
Generally apply before travel — confirm with the embassy.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Japan entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: exemption of visa (short-term stay) (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: visa overview (opens in a new tab)
Independent guide, not legal advice. Entry Visa Guide is an independent information site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or run by any government or public authority. Always check official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Report an error.