[Question]What are the requirements and procedures to come to Japan under Working Holiday Program?

[Answer]
＜Outline＞
This system was introduced to allow youths to work for a certain period of time in Japan to supplement their travel expenses while they sightsee around Japan.

＜Countries with which Japan has a bilateral agreement＞（As of March 2010）
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, France, Germany, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Taiwan, Hong Kong

Conditions, application process, period of stay etc, differ according to the country, so be sure to check conditions in your home country.

＜Conditions＞
①Applicant must hold citizenship in his/her home country, and be a resident there.
②The main objective of the stay should be travel and not work.
③Age at time of application must be 18-30 (some countries set age limit at 25)
④Children should not be brought with. (Some countries do allow this)
⑤Applicants must have a valid passport, and a return ticket, or enough funds to pay for one.
⑥Applicants must have enough funds to support themselves for the initial period of stay in Japan.
⑦Applicants must have a clean bill of health, and no history of major illness.

＜Application Process＞

Applications are made at the local Japanese Embassy or Consulate General to the applicant. In this case, the Japanese diplomatic establshiments overseas issue visa without referring the case to the local immigration office in Japan.  The visa status given is  “Designated Activities”. In some circumstances the applicant will be asked to provide evidence of having sufficient funds.

Working Holiday Association
Working Holiday Visa

[Question]What is Internship?

[Answer]

＜System＞

The system that allows foreign university students to work in Japanese companies on a temporary basis as part of their education is called the “Internship System”. The period worked can be included as course credits.

＜Residential Status＞

Residential status depends on period of study, and level of remuneration. Applicants will be given one of the following three: “Designated Activities”, Cultural Activities”, or “Short-Term Stay”  

There are also internships aimed at international students based in Japan. In this case if the student is given any form of pay he/she must gain approval from the Immigration Bureau to to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted.