Working Holiday Visa Giappone: requisiti, costi e domanda per italiani
The Working Holiday Visa for Japan allows young Italians to live in the country for up to 12 months, combining travel and work.
It is a regulated visa, with specific requirements, a formal procedure, and certain rules to know before leaving.
In this guide you will find only useful information: who can apply, how much it costs, how the application works, and which mistakes to avoid.
🇮🇹 Nationality: available to Italian citizens
🎂 Age: 18 to 30 at the time of application
⏳ Duration: up to 12 months
💼 Work: allowed to help finance the stay
💰 Minimum funds: required
🛂 Application: through the Japanese embassy or consulate
💴 Visa cost: free (no consular fee)
🏥 Travel insurance: required for the Working Holiday Visa
Is the Working Holiday Visa for Japan available to Italians?
Yes. Italy and Japan have signed a bilateral agreement that also allows Italian citizens to apply for a Working Holiday Visa and stay in Japan for up to 12 months.
The application is reserved for those who hold a valid Italian passport and meet the required conditions, especially regarding age and initial financial resources. There is no need to have dual citizenship or to live abroad.
However, be careful about one point that is often misunderstood: the agreement does not mean automatic approval. Each application is assessed individually, and the specific procedure depends on the instructions of the competent Japanese embassy or consulate, which may change over time.
Working Holiday Visa rules change depending on nationality. Information that applies to UK, Australian or Canadian citizens does not automatically apply to Italians.
Another aspect that often creates confusion concerns the insurance required for the WHV.
To simplify this part, tools like HelloSafe allow you to compare travel insurance policies designed for the Working Holiday Visa, with immediate certificate issuance, negotiated rates and reimbursement in case the visa is refused.
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What are the requirements to obtain the Working Holiday Visa for Japan?
To obtain the Working Holiday Visa for Japan, you must meet certain specific requirements, which are checked at the time of application. These are not complex conditions, but they must all be met to avoid delays or refusals.
Requirement | Details | Useful information |
|---|---|---|
🎂 Age | 18–30 years old | Age is verified on the date the application is submitted, not on the departure date. The day before turning 31 is the last eligible day. |
🇮🇹 Nationality | Valid Italian passport | The passport must be valid for the entire stay and have at least 2 blank pages. |
💰 Minimum funds | Minimum amount required | In practice, applicants are often asked to show around €2,500–€3,000 in their account, via a recent bank statement, to cover initial expenses in Japan. |
🛂 Criminal record | No serious offences | A self-declaration may be required. Serious convictions may lead to visa refusal. |
🏥 Insurance | Mandatory for the entire duration | It must cover medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation for the whole period (up to 12 months), with high coverage limits and continuous validity without interruptions. |
✈️ Flight ticket | Not always mandatory | Without a return ticket, you must prove you have enough funds to purchase one. |
🧳 Dependants | Not allowed | The WHV is an individual visa: it is not possible to include dependants or accompanying family members. |
🔁 Number of applications | Only once | The Working Holiday Visa for Japan can be obtained only once in a lifetime. |
For WHV insurance, it is recommended to choose coverage with high medical limits (at least €500,000), repatriation included, and validity until the planned return date. Short-term insurance or policies included with bank cards are not suitable for a long stay such as the one allowed by the Working Holiday Visa.
How much does the Working Holiday Visa for Japan cost for Italians?
The Working Holiday Visa for Japan is issued, under the bilateral agreement, at no issuance cost for Italian citizens.
However, this does not mean that leaving with a WHV is free: some expenses are unavoidable and must be paid in advance before applying or departing.
Item | Estimated cost | Useful details |
|---|---|---|
🛂 WHV visa | €0 | There is no consular fee for Italians: no fee is applied for the Working Holiday Visa application. |
🏥 Annual WHV insurance | €300 – €700 | Policy valid for up to 12 months. The price varies depending on coverage limits, age and selected guarantees. Some WHV solutions start at around €400/year for basic coverage. |
💰 Funds to prove | ¥150,000 – ¥300,000 | |
(≈ €1,000 – €1,900) | There is no single official amount, but this is the range most often requested to cover initial expenses in Japan. A recent bank statement is required. | |
📄 Documents / translations | €20 – €80 | Passport photos, forms and, if necessary, translations of specific documents. The cost depends on the individual case. |
Some WHV insurance policies offer premium reimbursement in case the visa is refused, a point often overlooked but useful to limit costs if the application is unsuccessful.
For those who want to simplify the insurance search, there are tools that allow you to compare WHV policies with negotiated rates, already suitable for visa requirements.
The HelloSafe comparison tool makes it possible to quickly identify insurance policies recognized for the Working Holiday Visa, with immediate certificate issuance, compliant coverage and clear terms from the moment of subscription.
How to apply for the Working Holiday Visa for Japan from Italy?
The procedure follows specific steps. Preparing everything in order helps avoid additional requests and wasted time.
🔍 Check eligibility requirements
Before starting, make sure you meet the age, nationality and financial requirements.
The age requirement is checked on the date of application. The insurance must also cover the entire planned period (up to 12 months).
📄 Prepare the documents
Document | Details |
|---|---|
🛂 Passport | Valid Italian passport for the entire duration of the stay, with at least 2 blank pages. |
📝 Application form | Official form completed and signed, provided by the consulate or embassy. |
📸 Passport photo | Recent photo, compliant with the standards required for Japanese visas. |
💳 Bank statement | Recent bank document proving the availability of the minimum required funds. |
🏥 WHV insurance | Insurance valid for the entire stay (up to 12 months), including medical and repatriation coverage. |
🗺️ Travel plan (if required) | Indicative description of the planned stay in Japan (cities, duration, activities). |
📅 Book an appointment at the consulate
The application must be submitted in person at the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.
There is no online procedure. Appointment waiting times can vary, especially during peak demand periods.
🗂️ Submit the application
On the day of the appointment, you submit the complete dossier.
If the documents are compliant, the application is accepted and the review process begins. If something is missing, the consulate may request additional documents.
⏳ Wait for the decision
Processing time is generally a few working days, but it may be longer depending on the period and the number of applications.
Once approved, the visa must be used within the validity period indicated to enter Japan.
It is not possible to apply from abroad or through a “visa run”. The application must be made in Italy, at the competent consular authority.
How much money do you need for the WHV Japan and what is checked upon entry?
For the Working Holiday Visa Japan, you must demonstrate that you have minimum financial resources to cover initial expenses in the country. This check takes place at the time of application and, in some cases, also upon entry into Japan.
In practice, applicants are required to provide a recent bank statement showing an amount considered sufficient to start the stay without difficulty.
Required amounts (most common practice)
- Recommended minimum funds: ¥150,000 – ¥300,000 (around €1,000 – €1,900)
This range is the most commonly accepted by consulates and mentioned in official guides and WHV application files.
Having an amount above the minimum reduces the risk of clarification requests.
Funds and checks
Item | Checked |
|---|---|
💳 Bank statement | ✔️ |
💰 Minimum amount (€1,000–€1,900) | ✔️ |
✈️ Return flight ticket | ❌ (recommended) |
🛂 Checks upon entry | Possible |
A return ticket is not mandatory, but without it you must prove you have additional funds to purchase one (generally ¥100,000–¥150,000 / €650–€950 extra).
Upon arrival in Japan, immigration may ask for:
- proof of available funds
- details of the planned stay
- an outbound ticket or the ability to purchase one
There is no officially published fixed threshold, but submitting a bank statement with less than €1,000 is strongly discouraged. Having a financial safety margin makes both visa approval and entry into Japan easier.
Is travel insurance mandatory for the WHV Japan?
For the Working Holiday Visa Japan, travel insurance is required as part of the application file. It proves that the applicant is covered for the entire duration of the stay and that any medical or repatriation costs will not fall on local authorities.
In practice, the embassy checks that the policy is valid without interruptions, clearly documented and suitable for a long stay with work activities.
Coverage | Recommended minimum limit |
|---|---|
🏥 Medical expenses | ≥ €500,000 |
🏨 Hospitalization | Included in the medical limit |
✈️ Medical repatriation | Included |
🚑 Assistance / emergencies | Included 24/7 |
📄 Insurance certificate | Mandatory (with dates and coverage details) |
To avoid delays or additional requests, it is recommended to choose WHV insurance that is:
✔️ valid for 12 months
✔️ recognized for working holiday visas
✔️ issued with an immediate certificate
✔️ refundable in case of refusal
The HelloSafe comparison tool allows you to quickly compare compliant WHV insurance policies, with negotiated rates and documents ready for the application.
Below you will find the 3 best WHV insurance options, selected for coverage, reliability and compliance with visa requirements.
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What are the most common mistakes to avoid with the WHV Japan?
Many issues related to the Working Holiday Visa Japan do not depend on the complexity of the procedure, but on misinterpretation errors or incomplete information. Knowing them in advance makes them easy to avoid.
Common mistake | Why it is a problem | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
❌ Thinking the WHV is automatic | The agreement exists, but each application is assessed and may be refused or require additional documents. | Prepare a complete and compliant dossier from the first submission. |
❌ Confusing WHV and work visa | The WHV is not a sponsored work visa and does not grant access to all professions. | Check the specific WHV rules and do not rely on work visa requirements. |
❌ Underestimating travel insurance | Partial or short-term coverage can slow down or block the procedure. | Choose insurance valid for 12 months, with a clear certificate and comprehensive coverage. |
❌ Leaving with insufficient funds | A bank statement showing too little increases the risk of checks or additional requests. | If possible, prove financial resources above the recommended minimum. |
❌ Relying on information from other countries | Rules vary depending on nationality and the bilateral agreement. | Refer only to official sources and guides specifically for Italians. |
Before starting the procedure, it is always advisable to check the most up-to-date instructions from the competent consulate.
FAQ
The limit is 18–30 years old. Age is verified on the date the application is submitted, not on the departure date.
Yes, you can apply up to the day before your 31st birthday. After that date you are no longer eligible, even if the trip is planned later.
Yes. The visa is not automatic. An application may be refused or suspended if the file is incomplete, if requirements are not fully met, or if the documentation (funds, insurance) is not considered sufficient.
The WHV does not guarantee employment. You can stay in Japan as a traveller as long as you have sufficient funds. Work helps finance the stay, but it is not mandatory to find a job immediately.
No. No employment contract is required to obtain the Working Holiday Visa. Arriving with an offer already secured is not a necessary condition.
This is a delicate topic. The WHV is not designed for full-time remote work. Even if income comes from abroad, working online while residing in Japan may raise tax and compliance issues. It is advisable to research this before departure.
In general, yes, during the validity of the visa. However, each re-entry is subject to immigration control. It is important to carry sufficient documents and funds.
In some cases, it is possible to request a change of status (for example to a work visa), but it is not automatic and depends on your personal situation and the sponsor. Many visa changes still require formal procedures and checks.
It depends on the profile. The WHV is suitable for those who want to
live a long experience in Japan
, working occasionally to support the trip. It is not intended as a career solution, but as a cultural and personal experience.
