Japanese Working Holidaymakers in the UK

01 April 2001

Following the agreement by Prime Ministers Blair and Mori the UK-Japan Youth Exchange scheme will begin in April 2001.

It will provide opportunities for young British and Japanese people to develop a fuller understanding of the others' country, culture, people, society and way of life through an extended stay. The Scheme will permit young British people between the ages of 18 and 25* to spend up to a year in Japan and young Japanese to spend a similar length of time in Britain.

During their stay, participants in either country will be able to take work incidental to their holiday in order to supplement their travel funds. A special visa will be issued to successful applicants.

Are you a young Japanese person who would like to visit the United Kingdom for a "working holiday"? If so, do you meet all of the following criteria?

You are a Japanese national, currently present in Japan.

You intend primarily to holiday in the UK for up to a year.

You will be between 18 and 25 years of age

You will not be accompanied by children.

You will not be accompanied by a spouse, unless your spouse is eligible for entry to the UK under this scheme. If both you and your spouse meet the criteria you may both apply at the same time, but there is no guarantee that either or both of you will be chosen.

You will have a valid passport and a return travel ticket, or sufficient funds to buy such a ticket from your own resources, not using borrowed money.

You will be able to maintain and accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds ("welfare") throughout your stay in the UK.

You intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay. You will be available to attend in person an interview at the British Embassy in Tokyo,

You will travel to the UK to begin your stay within three months of being issued a visa. If you apply and are successful, you will be allowed to take work incidental to your holiday in order to supplement your travel funds.

You will also be able to take work incidental to your stay for a registered charity on a volunteer basis. You may not engage in business, provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or pursue a career. You may not extend your stay beyond the period authorised or alter your immigration status during your stay.

The scheme begins on 16 April 2001, which is the earliest date on which candidates may enter the UK under it.

Only candidates who meet all the specified criteria will be considered. Also, places are limited and success cannot be guaranteed even if all criteria are met.

Applicants found to have made multiple applications will be rejected.

All applicants chosen for interview will be asked to visit the British Embassy as explained above, bringing their passports, two passport-sized photographs, evidence of sufficient funds and an application fee in cash which will be notified at the time the interview is arranged.

An interview is no guarantee of a successful application.

* - with a discretionary upper limit of 30 years of age in particular cases approved by the competent authorities of the United Kingdom.