| You may have heard of people going on a working | | | | years old and must have never been to the country |
| holiday in Japan. By all appearances, such an | | | | on a previous occasion. Also, they must already have |
| experience promises a lot of fun and excitement. | | | | their own passports and be in excellent health. |
| Before you consider jumping on the opportunity though, | | | | One other important requirement is related to personal |
| there are a couple of things you need to know. | | | | finances. An applicant should be able to show that he |
| What is this program? | | | | is able to support himself during his entire vacation |
| There are many countries that allow visitors to both | | | | stay. At a minimum, an applicant should show that he |
| work and enjoy holidays. This specific program | | | | at least has $2,000 for his stay. With the proof of |
| offered by the Japanese government however is the | | | | funds, applicants should also present specific vacation |
| result of a mutual agreement between Japan and | | | | plans and a booked return ticket home. |
| other countries. Australia was the very first country to | | | | What are the expenses involved? |
| enjoy this benefit but is now joined by New Zealand, | | | | If you live in the UK, you would have to pay six pounds |
| Canada, South Korea, France, Germany and the UK. | | | | for your special visa. The application is free in other |
| The newest countries to sign the agreement are | | | | countries. The first real expense would therefore be |
| Ireland and Denmark. If you are a resident of these | | | | the airfare. That would cost around $2,700 to $3,000 |
| countries, you will have passed the first criterion to | | | | although you may be able to get a cheap deal of a |
| apply for special working holiday visas. | | | | little over $1,000 for a plane ticket. |
| As the term implies, the program is primarily for people | | | | The living expenses give a little more cause for worry. |
| who wish to enjoy a vacation. This means that a | | | | You can expect to spend a little over 100,000 yen |
| traveler's intention must primarily be to enjoy the sights | | | | every month for food, transportation and |
| and sounds of the country. Finding a job is only a | | | | accommodation. If, however, you plan to travel from |
| secondary focus. Once a visitor has found a job, he is | | | | December to April, you may be able to bag a resort |
| allowed to keep it only for the duration of his visa's | | | | position in a tourist hotspot like Nagano. In winter |
| validity. This is usually six months with a possible | | | | resorts, food and accommodations are free so you |
| extension of another six months. Only Australians can | | | | can expect to save a lot of cash in these places. |
| apply for extensions that will allow them to stay up to | | | | A working holiday in Japan is truly an experience to |
| eighteen months. | | | | remember because it allows you to enjoy the many |
| Who is qualified to apply? | | | | attractions of the country while maintaining a job. If you |
| Aside from residency requirements, there are other | | | | qualify as an applicant, you should take the first chance |
| qualifications that applicants for Japan working holiday | | | | you've got to apply for the program. |
| visas must meet. They must be eighteen to thirty | | | | |