Japan May Grant South Koreans Second Working Holiday Visa in Landmark Move

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Key Takeaways

• Japan may allow South Koreans to apply for a second working holiday visa, reflecting strengthened bilateral ties and labor market needs.
• Current requirements include ages 18–30, sufficient funds, a travel-first purpose, and compliance with work restrictions under visa guidelines.
• Updates to South Korea’s eligibility are pending; official announcements are expected from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Japan may soon make it possible for South Koreans 🇰🇷 to apply for a second working holiday visa, marking an important update in bilateral ties and immigration policy. This new development comes as Japan 🇯🇵 and South Korea celebrate 60 years since normalizing diplomatic relations. If implemented, it could open new doors for cultural and professional exchanges between the two nations.

The Current Working Holiday Visa Program

Japan May Grant South Koreans Second Working Holiday Visa in Landmark Move

Japan’s working holiday visa is a special program that lets young people from partner countries stay in Japan for up to one year. The main purpose of this visa is for travel, but it also allows participants to work to support their stay financially. Currently, Japan has working holiday agreements with 30 countries and regions, ranging from Australia and Canada to Germany and Singapore.

Until recently, participants could only obtain this visa once in their lifetime. However, Japan introduced changes to its program that now permit some citizens to apply for a second working holiday visa. Since December 1, 2024, people from Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, and Austria have been able to extend their working holiday experience with a second visa. Beginning January 1, 2025, this option was expanded to nationals from Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia. The addition of South Korea to this list is now under serious consideration.

Why Include South Korea?

The potential inclusion of South Korea reflects multiple motivations that go beyond visa updates. One key reason is Japan’s effort to address growing labor shortages. For example, the winter sports industry has identified a shortage of foreign instructors, which is becoming more pressing as international visitors to Japan increase. A second reason is to deepen cultural exchange between South Korea and Japan—the working holiday visa program has always been about fostering a better appreciation of each nation’s way of life among young people. Lastly, the timing of this initiative aligns perfectly with the 60th anniversary of Japan and South Korea restoring diplomatic ties, signaling a step toward improved cooperation.

Who Would Be Eligible?

If South Korea joins the list of countries eligible for a second working holiday visa, young South Koreans may enjoy an extended opportunity to live and work in Japan. Although specifics have not been announced, current requirements for a working holiday visa offer clues:

Age: Applicants must generally be between 18 and 30 years old. For South Koreans, the maximum age under the current agreement is 25, though this may increase to 30 under the potential new system.
Travel Purpose: The program prioritizes holiday and travel purposes, although working to supplement travel funds is allowed.
Sufficient Funds: Participants must have enough savings to cover their early expenses and either possess a return flight ticket or have the funds to purchase one.
Good Health and Character: Applicants must be declared healthy and free of any criminal record.

Importantly, a second working holiday visa would grant South Koreans the opportunity to extend their stay after completing their first year in Japan.

Potential Benefits of the Change

Opening a second working holiday visa to South Korean citizens comes with numerous potential benefits—for individuals, Japan, and South Korea alike.

For Young South Koreans:

Cultural Immersion: A second visa would allow them to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and society.
Career Opportunities: Staying for an additional year could provide longer-term professional and personal growth opportunities.
Language Skills: Immersion in Japan gives participants a chance to improve their Japanese language skills, which could be helpful for future international careers.

For Japan:

Addressing Labor Shortages: South Korean workers could help fill gaps in industries like tourism and winter sports, especially as Japan experiences an increasing number of visitors.
Local Economic Gains: Young temporary residents participating in the program often stimulate local economies by contributing both as workers and as consumers.
Strengthened Bilateral Relations: Enhanced people-to-people exchanges between Japan and South Korea can improve diplomatic relations at a time when both countries are looking to cooperate on shared issues.

For Bilateral Ties:

By encouraging more South Korean youth to live, work, and learn in Japan, both countries would be investing in the next generation. These personal experiences could foster long-term friendships and collaboration between people from the two nations.

Japan’s Changing Visa Policies

This potential change reflects a broader trend in Japan’s immigration policies. In recent years, the country has been making efforts to attract more foreign workers and visitors. For instance, as of December 1, 2024, nationals of five countries, including Canada 🇨🇦 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, were allowed to reapply for a second working holiday visa. Germany 🇩🇪, Ireland 🇮🇪, and Slovakia 🇸🇰 joined this list shortly after, by January 2025.

Further reforms are in progress. For example, Japan plans to expand the list of eligible second-working-holiday visa countries to about ten by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. Separately, Japan is also easing its rules for Chinese tourists, including offering a longer 10-year tourist visa and extending group tourist visas to a maximum of 30 days. These changes are scheduled for implementation by spring 2025.

Practical Considerations

While South Korea has not officially been added to the second-working-holiday visa program yet, the practical outcomes would likely be similar to the updated conditions for other eligible nationalities.

Application Process: Applicants typically need to apply through Japanese Embassies or Consulates in their home country, submitting required documents and meeting specific deadlines. Quotas may also apply, as has been the case with certain programs.
Work Limitations: Work is only allowed as a way to support travel expenses, meaning participants can’t take jobs that conflict with the purpose of their visa. For example, working in nightclubs, bars, or gambling establishments is forbidden. Breaking these rules could result in deportation.
Monitoring Future Updates: Details regarding eligibility and the application process for South Koreans will depend on final negotiations and announcements, which should come from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What’s Next?

As of March 2, 2025, no firm timeline has been set for when South Koreans will officially gain eligibility for a second working holiday visa. However, reports suggest that this shift could represent a practical and symbolic way of strengthening ties between the two neighbors. Aspiring participants should closely follow updates from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Japanese Embassy in South Korea.

Final Thoughts

The possible expansion of Japan’s working holiday visa system to include young South Koreans is a notable development for both countries. If approved, it will offer young people from South Korea the chance to extend their time exploring Japan’s culture, language, and industries while also helping Japan meet its labor needs. For South Korea and Japan, this small but significant move could enhance mutual understanding and collaboration as they celebrate the long-standing relationship both nations share. According to VisaVerge.com, changes to visa systems like this one often mirror wider efforts by countries to foster closer ties through people-to-people diplomacy. Importantly, this proposal will likely serve as both a practical immigration measure and a meaningful diplomatic gesture in the coming years.

Learn Today

Working Holiday Visa → A special visa allowing young people to travel and work temporarily in a foreign country for up to one year.
Bilateral Ties → The relationship and cooperation between two nations in areas like diplomacy, economy, and cultural exchange.
Labor Shortages → A situation where the demand for workers exceeds the supply, causing a gap in industries or sectors.
Quotas → A fixed number or limit set on how many individuals can participate in a program like a visa scheme.
People-to-People Diplomacy → A way to strengthen international relations by fostering direct exchanges and understanding between citizens of different countries.

This Article in a Nutshell

Japan may soon allow South Koreans a second working holiday visa, marking a historic shift as the nations celebrate 60 years of normalized ties. This move could deepen cultural exchange, address Japan’s labor shortages, and strengthen bilateral relations, empowering South Korean youth to immerse themselves longer in Japan’s culture and opportunities.
— By VisaVerge.com