I know that there's a few threads with little bits of talk of the Working Holiday Visa but was surprised to see there wasn't one dedicated to the actually process of applying etc.

Of cause most of the process/requirements is out lined on the embassies website. However what seems to be a little bit of a grey area is:

5. A proposed itinerary for the whole stay in Japan (up to 12 months), including details of prearranged employment, if any

Did some research on the internet and heard of some people writing about half of page of A4, just listing where they want to go and that being fine. Other people written 'too' much and have to re-write a shorter version of it at the embassy. I just rang the UK embassy today and asked about the length and wouldn't give me an exactly sheet amount but told me to 'write as much as you can'.......so yeah not the best advice.

I have found a couple of blogs of people applying and it doesn't seem like they're overlay strict on issuing the visas and do have a general idea of what I'm going to write as well as possible job opportunities lined up. But I was just wonder if anyone on here has gone through the process and was willing to share their advice / experience?

Since finishing university I've been working to save money to apply for the visa and hopefully be down in London next month to submit my application! Can't wait.

For the itinerary, I'm pretty sure I just listed where I was planning to go and when, and what specifically I wanted to see there. I think the 'purpose of visit' is where you crap on and convince them that you're interested in Japan, while the itinerary is just a simple, well ... itinerary.

Australian here, but I assume it's the same.

It doesn't really matter what you write. Although apparently if you state that you already have a job lined up you'll be rejected. So if you mention working make sure it's only "thinking about working at...", "might do this..."

The main purpose of a working holiday visa is for holidaying so make sure you talk about what you want to see (There's a different section for mentioning all this though I think).

Can't help you with the length though. When you apply at the embassy in Sydney they give you a sheet with about 6 rows (one row for each month) and then that is divided into boxes. One box for where you'll be and another box for what you intend to do in that place. I hardly wrote anything at all, just a word or two in each box "Okinawa - sightseeing, might work in restaurant" etc.
UK visas' give you a year all at once, so I suppose you'd have to write double the amount an Australian would.

Thank for the advice!

I'll make sure to avoid any mention of work lined up before going (not that I have anything lined up for definite yet).

Also for the UK there's no separate document for 'purpose of visit'. Though imagine I squeeze that into the itinerary, saying what I'll do there.

For the UK, the submitted documents are:


1. Valid UK passport (British Citizen)
2. One completed visa application form
3. One passport-sized photograph approx. 35mm x 45mm (taken within the last 6 months)
4. A personal history, resume or curriculum vitae typed on A4 paper
5. A proposed itinerary for the whole stay in Japan (up to 12 months), including details of prearranged employment, if any
6. A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday Visa typed on A4 paper
7. Either ￡2,500 in cleared funds (last 3 months bank statements must be shown)
Or ￡1,500 and a return or onward journey ticket or a receipt for such.
(Traveller's cheques, credit cards and overdrafts are not acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds)
(In the case of a married couple applying for two visas, the minimum amounts are ￡4,500 and ￡2,500 respectively.)
In some cases, additional documents may be required.


I've written a reason for applying which is about a side of A4. Think a side or two should do it for the proposed itinerary. Guess it's just about finding a balance of writing enough but no too much :/

I'd say that your "6. A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday Visa typed on A4 paper" is the same as our "purpose of visit".

Good luck with your visa

Now that you mention it in my 'A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday Visa' I do touch on what my purpose for visit is.

Thanks! Will be going to the embassy in two weeks so should know in about 3 if I've got the visa or not.

When I do I'll post some stuff of what I wrote so it can help anyone else hoping to apply from the UK in the future.