Canadian passport / Working Holiday

Working Holiday in Japan for Canadians (2026)

Check the essential requirements, then follow the five stages to prepare your application and trip.

Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

Ottawa’s 13 October 2026 checklist does not erase older Vancouver material: financial guidance differs by version. Confirm your jurisdiction; CAD 3,500 is not presented as one uniform national-office threshold.

Key facts at a glance

Age: 18–30Learn moreReferences: JP-OTTAWA
Length of stay: Initially 12 months; up to 24 months with extensionLearn moreReferences: JP
Initial funds: Ottawa: CAD 3,500 plus travel expensesLearn moreReferences: JP-OTTAWA JP-VANCOUVER-OLD
Visa fee: No visa fee; intermediary charges are separateLearn moreReferences: JP
Annual quota: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: JP
Application dates and timing: Enter within 1 year of issueLearn moreReferences: JP-OTTAWA
Language: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: JP
Study: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: JP
Work: Employment incidental to the holidayLearn moreReferences: JP

Prepare your application →Explore language courses

Traveler on a street lined with buildings.

Step 1

Check requirements and language preparation

Age

Ottawa’s current checklist applies this range at application. Other passport rules do not automatically apply to Canadians.

References: JP-OTTAWA

Length of stay

Since 1 December 2024, the arrangement permits two separate one-year stays or an extension for two consecutive years. Initial permission is not automatically two years.

References: JP

Initial funds

Ottawa requests this recent balance and additional travel expenses without tickets. Older Vancouver material says CAD 2,500. Conservatively prepare at least CAD 3,500 plus travel, then confirm your consulate’s checklist; this is not a uniform national-office amount.

References: JP-OTTAWA JP-VANCOUVER-OLD

Visa fee

No visa fee; intermediary charges are separate

References: JP

Annual quota

Not established in this Canadian-passport research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Check the issuing authority before booking.

References: JP

Application dates and timing

In Ottawa, filing is normally in person by appointment. Postal filing requires prior consultation. Check the mission responsible for your residence.

References: JP-OTTAWA

Language

Not established in this Canadian-passport research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Check the issuing authority before booking.

References: JP

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Passport

The responsible mission depends on your residence address. Apply to the correct office, not simply one convenient for your trip.

References: JP-OTTAWA

Insurance

Ottawa recommends arranging cover before leaving Canada; this is not a numeric legal threshold.

References: CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018

Documents and participation

Ottawa also asks for a doctor’s note. Disclose previous participation and extensions so the authority can determine the remaining route.

References: JP-OTTAWA

Step 2

Apply through the official route

Apply through the Japanese office responsible for your Canadian address. Ottawa normally requires an in-person appointment; mail needs prior consultation.

Identify the jurisdiction for your home and check 18–30 inclusive at application.
Prepare form, photo, CV, itinerary, motivation, funds, travel evidence and doctor’s note.
Confirm the office’s financial checklist and appointment; Ottawa requires consultation before mail.
Await visa and entry instructions; the first year starts at entry to Japan.

Read the official instructions ↗

Step 3

Read your approval and entry conditions

Read the entire approval notice: identity, dates, entry deadline and conditions. Keep it available offline. Do not assume the visa starts on your preferred date.

Step 4

Get ready for the trip

Conservatively prepare CAD 3,500 plus travel while confirming your office: older Vancouver material says CAD 2,500. Arrange insurance and re-entry permission before a temporary departure from Japan.

Passport, visa and requested evidence accessible offline.
Initial funds, insurance and departure costs checked separately.
First accommodation and airport transport arranged.

Step 5

Start your Working Holiday

Ottawa describes residence-card issuance at entry, then municipal address registration within 14 days after finding a residence. Check re-entry before leaving and prohibited workplaces.

Work

Employment supplements the holiday budget. Adult-entertainment-related establishments are excluded; confirm specific activities with the consulate.

Study

Not established in this Canadian-passport research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Check the issuing authority before booking.

Explore language courses →

Language courses · commercial service

Plan a language course for your trip.

Through ViveCampus you can request language-course quotes with international-student discounts. Offers may vary by your country of origin and destination. A personalized quote confirms available discounts and the final price. Booking a course does not guarantee a visa.

Not established in this Canadian-passport research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Check the issuing authority before booking.

Other destinations to compare

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Frequently asked questions

Age 30 inclusive or 31?

Ottawa states 18–30 inclusive at application.

References: CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018

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Does CAD 3,500 include travel?

No: Ottawa requires additional travel provision without tickets.

References: CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018

Can I choose any consulate?

No: your Canadian residence address determines the responsible office.

References: CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018

Are two years automatic?

No: initially one year, with conditional extension or another participation.

References: CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018

What happens within 14 days?

After finding a residence, take the residence card to the municipality.

References: CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018

Can I leave and return freely?

The visa is single-entry; check re-entry permission before departure.

References: CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018

Official sources

Each source retains its own check date. Governments can change requirements at any time; check the official government pages before applying.

2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

JP · Japan Embassy in Canada - Working Holiday

Read the official instructions ↗

2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

JP-OTTAWA · Japan Embassy - Ottawa application checklist

Read the official instructions ↗

2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

JP-VANCOUVER-OLD · Older Vancouver checklist: historical discrepancy only

Read the official instructions ↗

2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

CA-JP-OTTAWA-20261018 · Japan Ottawa Canadian checklist

Read the official instructions ↗

2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

CA-JP-SCOPE-20261018 · Japan Canadian scheme and jurisdictions

Read the official instructions ↗