Age
Normally 18–25; up to 30 if unavoidable circumstances are accepted. Check this at the application stage. Age alone does not establish eligibility; residence and previous participation also matter.
References: COMP-JP
South Korean passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in Japan for Korean 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.
Ages 26–30 are conditional, not automatic eligibility. Confirm the exception with the responsible mission. Multiple simultaneous applications by the same applicant are invalid.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- Normally 18–25; up to 30 if unavoidable circumstances are acceptedLearn moreReferences: COMP-JP
- Length of stay
- Up to 12 monthsLearn moreReferences: COMP-JP
- Initial funds
- About KRW 2,800,000 plus return fundsLearn moreReferences: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
- Visa fee
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: COMP-JP
- Annual quota
- 10,000 per yearLearn moreReferences: COMP-JP
- Application dates and timing
- 2026 fourth quarter: 12–16 OctoberLearn moreReferences: COMP-JP
- Language
- Basic Japanese ability or willingness to learnLearn moreReferences: COMP-JP
- Study
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: COMP-JP
- Work
- Work incidental to the holidayLearn moreReferences: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
South Korea →JapanWorking Holiday in Japan for Korean 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-JP
Initial funds
Prepare return-ticket purchase funds and about KRW 2,800,000 for initial living costs. Do not treat the approximate amount as a complete travel budget.
References: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
Visa fee
The current total charge for this Korean-passport filing route was not established. Do not import another mission’s, nationality’s or visa category’s fee; confirm with the receiving authority before payment.
References: COMP-JP
Annual quota
10,000 per year. This is an annual programme limit, not a count of remaining places or proof that applications are being accepted. Consult the authority before applying.
References: COMP-JP
Application dates and timing
2026 fourth quarter: 12–16 October
References: COMP-JP
Language
Basic Japanese ability or willingness to learn
References: COMP-JP
Explore language courses →Passport
Extra passport-validity months were not established in the reviewed evidence. Follow valid-passport and individual visa instructions without importing another nationality’s validity period.
References: COMP-JP
Insurance
All insured risks, amounts and duration for this Korean-passport route were not established. Obtain the personal checklist before purchase rather than substituting another visa’s policy.
References: COMP-JP
Documents and participation
Submit only through designated agencies; personal embassy-counter and postal applications are not currently accepted. Check Seoul, Busan or Jeju jurisdiction by registered address and do not submit duplicate applications.
References: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
Step 2
Apply through the official route
File through a designated agency with the mission for your registered address. Personal counter or postal filing is unavailable and multiple applications are invalid. Check the announced round and checklist.
- Check the age-18–25 default, conditional 26–30 exception and prior issues.
- Check address jurisdiction and an authorised designated agency.
- Submit unstapled documents in the relevant round without duplicate applications.
- Check official results and final issue, then read entry and stay dates.
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
Prepare return-ticket purchase funds and about KRW 2,800,000 for initial living costs. Do not treat the approximate amount as a complete travel budget. All insured risks, amounts and duration for this Korean-passport route were not established. Obtain the personal checklist before purchase rather than substituting another visa’s policy.
- 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
- The visa is a single-entry document valid one year from issue. Check the residence period in actual landing permission. KR15-JP-EMBASSY
- Notify the municipality of your address within fourteen days of settling. KR15-JP-ARRIVAL
- Undertake permitted incidental work and avoid entertainment-related premises; do not decide solely from the job title. KR15-JP-EMBASSY KR15-JP-ARRIVAL
- Working Holiday residence cannot be extended inside Japan. Confirm departure and re-entry plans with the authority. KR15-JP-EMBASSY
Work
Work supplements holiday funds; employment at bars, cabarets and related entertainment premises is prohibited. Curricular internships serve a different purpose from this scheme.
Study
A numerical course-duration limit was not established in the reviewed Korean-passport evidence. Confirm permitted activity before enrolling and do not import another agreement’s study period.
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.
A numerical course-duration limit was not established in the reviewed Korean-passport evidence. Confirm permitted activity before enrolling and do not import another agreement’s study period.
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 the Netherlands →
- Working Holiday in Denmark →
- Working Holiday in Latvia →
- Working Holiday in Luxembourg →
- Working Holiday in Belgium →
- Working Holiday in Brazil →
- Working Holiday in Sweden →
- Working Holiday in Spain →
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Ireland →
- Working Holiday in Andorra →
- Working Holiday in Austria →
- Working Holiday in Israel →
- Working Holiday in Italy →
- Working Holiday in Czechia →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Working Holiday in Portugal →
- Working Holiday in Poland →
- Working Holiday in Hungary →
Frequently asked questions
How should I prepare living and departure funds?
Prepare return-ticket purchase funds and about KRW 2,800,000 for initial living costs. Do not treat the approximate amount as a complete travel budget.
References: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
Explore language courses →What insurance and duration should I prepare?
All insured risks, amounts and duration for this Korean-passport route were not established. Obtain the personal checklist before purchase rather than substituting another visa’s policy.
References: COMP-JP
Are there conflicting age instructions?
Normally 18–25; up to 30 if unavoidable circumstances are accepted. Check this at the application stage. Age alone does not establish eligibility; residence and previous participation also matter.
References: COMP-JP
Which documents and participation history should I check?
Submit only through designated agencies; personal embassy-counter and postal applications are not currently accepted. Check Seoul, Busan or Jeju jurisdiction by registered address and do not submit duplicate applications.
References: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
What work restrictions apply?
Work supplements holiday funds; employment at bars, cabarets and related entertainment premises is prohibited. Curricular internships serve a different purpose from this scheme.
References: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
Which application route should I use?
File through a designated agency with the mission for your registered address. Personal counter or postal filing is unavailable and multiple applications are invalid. Check the announced round and checklist.
References: KR15-JP-EMBASSY
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-JP · Japan - KR passport guidance
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
KR15-JP-EMBASSY · Official JP guidance · Korean passport
Read the official instructions ↗2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.