Japan Working Holiday Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Japan Working Holiday Visa
Stay	Up to 12 months
Cost	From NZD $770
Processing	80% within 2 weeks
Eligibility timing	Apply aged 18–30
Nationality	Japanese citizen with valid passport
Work rights	Temporary jobs up to 12 months
Study	Up to 6 months total
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Multiple entry before visa expiry
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Family need their own visas
Visa record	eVisa issued if approved
Funds required	At least NZD $4,200
Job offer	Not required
Application method	Online, in English

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Purpose

This visa lets Japanese citizens holiday, work and study in New Zealand.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be aged 18 to 30.
• Be a citizen of Japan with a valid Japanese passport.
• Hold a passport valid for at least 3 months after visa expiry.
• Not have previously held a New Zealand working holiday visa, even if unused.
• Be in good health and of good character.
• Have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand.
• Have at least NZD $4,200 for living costs.
• Plan to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

You may still apply if you have held working holiday visas for countries other than New Zealand.

Stay and Visa Validity

You can stay for up to 12 months.

You must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of visa issue. You cannot delay or cancel the visa. If you do not arrive within that period, it expires and you cannot apply for another working holiday visa.

The visa starts:

• On entry to New Zealand, if approved while you are outside New Zealand; or
• On the date it is issued, if you are already in New Zealand.

Cost and Processing

• Cost: From NZD $770.
• Processing: 80% within 2 weeks.

Work Rights and Conditions

You can work in any legal job if:

• You work under an employment contract or contract for services.
• You do not take a permanent job.
• You do not operate a business as an owner.
• You do not provide commercial sexual services.
• You do not invest in a business providing commercial sexual services.

A job offer is not required.

You must obtain an IRD number to pay tax on New Zealand earnings.

Study

You may study or train for up to 6 months in total during your stay.

Travel

After arrival, you may travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as you like before the visa expires.

Family

A partner or child who wants to travel to New Zealand must apply for their own visa.

Required Evidence

When applying, provide your passport details.

Immigration New Zealand may later request:

• Medical examination or chest X-ray evidence.
• Police certificates.
• Evidence of at least NZD $4,200.
• Medical insurance evidence.
• An onward ticket, or funds to buy one.

Acceptable living-funds evidence may include bank statements, credit-card statements, bank drafts or traveller’s cheques.

For onward travel, you may provide:

• A ticket to a country you have the right to enter; or
• Evidence of enough money to buy a ticket.

Money for onward travel must be additional to the NZD $4,200 living-cost requirement.

Health and Character

You must answer health and character questions in the application.

Immigration New Zealand may require a chest X-ray, medical examination or police certificates during processing. Medical or X-ray evidence must be less than 3 months old when received. Police certificates must be less than 6 months old when submitted.

A criminal conviction or security risk may result in the visa not being issued.

How to Apply

1. Gather passport, financial, onward-travel and any required health or character evidence.
2. Obtain certified English translations of required non-English police or medical certificates.
3. Apply online in English through the Immigration New Zealand online service.
4. Upload documents and pay applicable fees.
5. Check application status online and respond to any requests for more information.

Enter identity details exactly as shown in your passport. Incorrect names or passport dates may delay processing, lead to refusal, or result in refused entry.

If approved, Immigration New Zealand will issue an eVisa and email a copy.

Arrival Obligations

You must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

You can submit it:

• By air: from 24 hours before your journey begins.
• By sea: from 24 hours before your ship leaves its last overseas port.

Customs and Biosecurity requirements also apply.

Important Warnings

You may be refused entry permission if you:

• Are not a genuine visitor.
• No longer meet character requirements.
• Have had a change in circumstances since visa issue.
• Refuse a photo, fingerprint or iris scan.
• Cannot show onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.

Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.

Staying Longer

If you complete 3 months of seasonal work in viticulture or horticulture, you may be eligible for another 3 months through a Working Holiday Extension Work Visa.

If your temporary visa expires while that application is being decided, Immigration New Zealand will normally issue an Interim Visa to let you remain lawfully.