Age
Normally 18–25; ages 26–30 require reasons. Check this at the application stage. Age alone does not establish eligibility; residence and previous participation also matter.
References: COMP-KR
Japanese passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in South Korea for Japanese citizens (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.
Application procedures changed in July 2026. Niigata’s checklist is not automatically the same in every jurisdiction. Use the latest instructions from the Korean mission responsible for your residence.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- Normally 18–25; ages 26–30 require reasonsLearn moreReferences: COMP-KR
- Length of stay
- Up to 12 monthsLearn moreReferences: COMP-KR
- Initial funds
- About JPY 300,000 plus a return ticket, or JPY 400,000Learn moreReferences: COMP-KR
- Visa fee
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: COMP-KR
- Annual quota
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: COMP-KR
- Application dates and timing
- Tokyo filing procedure changed from 1 July 2026Learn moreReferences: JP-KR-PROCEDURE-18
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: COMP-KR
- Study
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: COMP-KR
- Work
- Up to 25 hours per weekLearn moreReferences: COMP-KR
Japan →South KoreaWorking Holiday in South Korea for Japanese citizens (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
Up to 12 months. This is the programme’s maximum. Read your actual permission for its end date; passport and insurance validity are separate checks.
References: COMP-KR
Initial funds
About JPY 300,000 plus a return ticket, or JPY 400,000. Keep living-funds evidence separate from return or departure costs. This is not a complete trip budget. Check the official checklist for the accepted bank evidence and its issue date.
References: COMP-KR
Visa fee
Not established in this research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Confirm with the issuing authority before booking or applying.
References: COMP-KR
Annual quota
Not established in this research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Confirm with the issuing authority before booking or applying.
References: COMP-KR
Application dates and timing
Use the designated adviser for email consultation, document checking and booking, then attend personally.
References: JP-KR-PROCEDURE-18
Language
Not established in this research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Confirm with the issuing authority before booking or applying.
References: COMP-KR
Explore language courses →Passport
Valid at least 6 months when applying. Check passport expiry separately from permit duration. If you renew, ask the authority how to keep the passport details on the application or permission consistent.
References: COMP-KR
Insurance
Not established in this research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Confirm with the issuing authority before booking or applying.
References: COMP-KR
Documents and participation
Up to 2 participations; apply within your residence jurisdiction
References: COMP-KR
Step 2
Apply through the official route
- Check your residence jurisdiction; for Tokyo, contact the designated adviser first.
- Following the adviser’s instructions, send PDFs such as the medical certificate, bank evidence and activity plan.
- After document checking, arrange the instructed application date and file personally.
- Check the issued visa and entry conditions, then confirm arrival registration and work restrictions.
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
Do not automatically transfer Niigata’s funds or passport checklist to Tokyo. Tokyo excludes individual online bookings and agency filing; obtain the designated adviser’s current document instructions.
- 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
Check your permission and the 25-hour weekly work limit; confirm foreigner-registration formalities with the responsible authority.
Work
Up to 25 hours per week
Study
Not established in this research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Confirm with the issuing authority 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.
Not established in this research. This does not mean there is no requirement. Confirm with the issuing authority before booking or applying.
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Australia →
- Working Holiday in New Zealand →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
- Working Holiday in the United Kingdom →
- Working Holiday in Hong Kong →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
- Working Holiday in France →
- Working Holiday in Germany →
- Working Holiday in Ireland →
- Working Holiday in Denmark →
- Working Holiday in Norway →
- Working Holiday in Portugal →
- Working Holiday in Poland →
- Working Holiday in Slovakia →
- Working Holiday in Austria →
- Working Holiday in Hungary →
- Working Holiday in Spain →
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Working Holiday in Iceland →
- Working Holiday in Czechia →
- Working Holiday in Lithuania →
- Working Holiday in Sweden →
- Working Holiday in Estonia →
- Working Holiday in the Netherlands →
- Working Holiday in Uruguay →
- Working Holiday in Finland →
- Working Holiday in Latvia →
- Working Holiday in Luxembourg →
- Working Holiday in Malta →
- Working Holiday in Italy →
Frequently asked questions
Can I book Tokyo directly online?
The revised procedure goes through the designated adviser; individual online bookings are not accepted.
References: JP-KR-PROCEDURE-18
Explore language courses →Does email consultation complete the application?
No. Email checking is followed by an appointment and personal filing.
References: JP-KR-PROCEDURE-18
How should I send documents?
Tokyo gives examples of PDFs labelled with the applicant and document names. Wait for the adviser’s instructions.
References: JP-KR-PROCEDURE-18
Has the enquiry contact changed?
The official contact from 1 August 2026 is korea-wh@koen.or.jp. Check the embassy’s latest notice.
References: JP-KR-CONTACT-18
Is preparation identical for ages 26–30?
The Niigata consulate’s instructions request reasons for this age group. Confirm the documents with your residence jurisdiction.
References: COMP-KR
Can I rely on Niigata’s funds figure in Tokyo?
Check the jurisdiction-specific checklist and confirm accepted evidence during Tokyo’s pre-check.
References: JP-KR-PROCEDURE-18 COMP-KR
Official sources
Source check dates are listed individually below. Rules may change after a check; always confirm current requirements with the official government authority.
2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
COMP-KR · South Korea - JP passport guidance
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-16 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
COMP-KR-EMBASSY-PROCEDURE-UPDATE · South Korea - Embassy procedure update
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
JP-KR-PROCEDURE-18 · Korea in Tokyo: revised H-1 application procedure
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.