Age
The age range applies at application. Also check residence, previous participation and all other conditions for your passport.
References: JP-IE
Irish passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in Japan for Irish citizens (2026)
Requirements and practical preparation for your Working Holiday in Japan. Start with the summary, then follow the five stages.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–30 inclusiveLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
- Length of stay
- Up to 1 year per separate grantLearn moreReferences: IE-JP-18
- Initial funds
- At least EUR 1,600 with departure ticket /EUR 3,200 withoutLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
- Visa fee
- No visa fee on the consulted embassy pageLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
- Annual quota
- 800 per yearLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
- Application dates and timing
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
- Study
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
- Work
- Work incidental to the holidayLearn moreReferences: JP-IE
Ireland →JapanWorking Holiday in Japan for Irish citizens (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
The Irish embassy guidance allows two separate one-year grants from 1 January 2025. Holiday stay runs from entry; the visa has its own one-year issue validity.
References: IE-JP-18
Initial funds
The Dublin embassy lists at least EUR 1,600 with a return/onward ticket, or EUR 3,200 in cleared funds. Confirm the applicable case and current documentation with the embassy; do not use Dutch or British amounts.
References: JP-IE
Visa fee
No visa fee on the consulted embassy page
References: JP-IE
Annual quota
800 per year
References: JP-IE
Application dates and timing
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: JP-IE
Language
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: JP-IE
Explore language courses →Passport
Valid passport of your citizenship
References: JP-IE
Insurance
Overseas travel insurance for the stay
References: JP-IE
Documents and participation
Prepare passport, signed form, recent 35 × 45 mm photo, CV, activity plan, A4 motivation, financial/departure evidence and insurance. Prior participation may be allowed once under the two-grant rule; additional documents or interview may be requested.
References: IE-JP-18
Step 2
Apply through the official route
Apply personally at the Japanese Embassy in Dublin with the Irish checklist. Since 1 January 2025, Irish applicants can receive two separate one-year grants; this is not an automatic two-year visa or an extension.
- Confirm Irish residence, age and previous grants against the two-participation rule.
- Prepare the Irish embassy forms, CV, activity plan, motivation, photo, funds, departure evidence and whole-stay insurance.
- Submit personally at the Embassy of Japan in Dublin; follow any additional-document or interview request.
- On grant, check the visa’s entry validity and stay conditions. A second one-year participation requires a separate occasion and application.
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
Keep your funds and return/onward arrangements documented. The visa is single-entry: confirm re-entry permission with Japanese Immigration before leaving Japan during the stay.
- 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
Register your residence with the local government within fourteen days of moving into an address. The embassy also recommends registration with the Irish Embassy in Tokyo for emergency assistance.
Work
The main purpose must be the holiday. Do not use this visa for primarily full-time work or an internship. Work in prohibited adult-entertainment and related establishments is not permitted.
Study
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
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.
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Australia →
- Working Holiday in New Zealand →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
- Working Holiday in South Korea →
- Working Holiday in Hong Kong →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Working Holiday in Andorra →
Frequently asked questions
Can Irish citizens participate twice?
Yes: since 1 January 2025, two separate one-year grants are possible. This is not one automatic two-year stay.
What are the funds alternatives?
At least EUR 1,600 with a return/onward ticket or EUR 3,200 in clear funds. Confirm any couple-specific case directly.
Can the trip mainly be full-time employment or academic enrolment?
No. The main purpose is holiday; the embassy excludes primarily full-time work and academic enrolment.
What happens after I move into accommodation?
Complete local resident registration within fourteen days.
Can I leave Japan and return on the same visa?
It is single-entry. Obtain the required re-entry permission before leaving if you plan to return.
Official sources
Source research includes checks from 16 and 18 October 2026. Check current requirements with the official government authority; individual check dates appear below.
JP-IE · Japanese Embassy - Ireland Working Holiday
Source checked: 2026-10-16. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗IE-JP-18 · Japanese Embassy in Ireland · Irish Working Holiday checklist
Source checked: 2026-10-18. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗