On Sunday, December 22, 2024, according to a report by “Nikkei Asia,” Japan is set to allow young foreigners holding working holiday visas to extend their stay, inviting them to remain in the country for a longer period and work in popular tourist destinations in Japan.
Up until now, foreigners arriving in Japan could only obtain a short-term working holiday visa once. However, Japan is soon to permit the renewal of such visas for citizens from countries like the UK and Canada. Additionally, Japan plans to expand the list of countries and regions eligible for visa renewal to around 10 by March of next year.
The working holiday program allows individuals aged 18 to 30 to stay in another country for an extended period while working to support themselves. Japan has signed such agreements with 30 countries and regions, with many Japanese citizens also taking advantage of these programs to work and holiday in other countries.
By allowing visa renewals, Japan aims to retain more foreign workers. Currently, with the rise in inbound tourism, there is increasing demand in Japan for ski instructors who can speak English. Various sectors have been urging the government to expand the program to allow for visa renewals.
Under a reciprocal agreement, students from the UK and Canada can obtain Japanese working holiday visas for two times or consecutively for two years, and vice versa.
Due to the depreciation of the Japanese yen which has lowered living and study costs, the working holiday program has become increasingly popular among foreign students studying in Japan, especially after the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.