From a working holiday to a work visa. Can I change while I am in Japan?

Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO)　／　Published 18 April 2025　／　Last updated 21 August 2026

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

Answer

As a rule, changing while you are in Japan is not permitted. A working holiday is a status of residence whose main purpose is cultural exchange and experiencing another culture, so a change to a status of residence intended for work is not envisaged. However, there are said to be exceptions for some countries. As a first step, please have the company hiring you speak to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction.

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from someone who received a job offer while on a working holiday.

Subject: changing to a work visa while in Japan
Application type: application for change
Situation: Canadian national, male, 25 years old. On a working holiday, working as a teacher at an English conversation school in Fukuoka for about half a year. He has received a job offer as a programmer from a company set up by a friend in Tokyo. His present period of stay expires in 3 months. Before coming to Japan he worked for 2 years as an engineer at an IT company in Canada.
Question: Is it possible to change from a working holiday to a work visa that allows him to work as an IT engineer?

Can I change while I am in Japan?

As a rule, no. However, there are said to be exceptions for some countries.

As a rule, changing from a working holiday to a status of residence that allows work is not permitted while you are in Japan. This is because a working holiday is a status of residence whose main purpose is cultural exchange and experiencing another culture, and a change to a long-stay status of residence intended for work is not envisaged.

For some countries, a change is said to be permitted under arrangements between governments. Please check with the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction whether your own nationality is covered.

What is looked at in screening?

4 points: how specialised the work is, your past work experience, the situation of the company hiring you, and your Japanese-language ability.

How specialised the work is — The job of IT engineer is generally recognised as highly specialised, so it is likely to qualify
Past work experience — Experience as an engineer at an IT company before coming to Japan may work in your favour in showing that you have specialised knowledge and skills
The size and stability of the company hiring you — Screening looks at whether the company is properly set up to take on foreign nationals, and whether the business can be expected to be stable. If the company was set up only recently, screening may be more careful
Japanese-language ability — If you can understand the technical terms needed for the work, a high level of Japanese is not necessarily required

How should I go about it?

The most reliable course is to go through the company hiring you and consult the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction.

Ask through the company hiring you
Have the person in charge at the company that made the offer ask the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction directly whether a change is possible. It is important that the company explains what the business does, why it wants to hire you, and what your skills are, and that it checks what documents and procedures are needed.
Ask on your own account as well
Alongside the company's enquiry, we recommend that you also explain your situation at an information desk and check how likely a change is.
Consult a specialist
You can get advice on how likely a change is, and on the alternatives if it turns out to be difficult. An application involving a company that was set up only recently may need more careful preparation than usual.

What happens if I cannot change?

You go home once and apply again from there.

If you are told that a change while in Japan is not permitted, you will need to go home once and apply for a 査証 (visa) at the Japanese embassy or consulate there, after a 在留資格認定証明書 (Certificate of Eligibility) has been issued. With a job offer in hand, the procedure is generally considered to go relatively smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change from a working holiday to a work visa?

As a rule this is not permitted while you are in Japan. There are said to be exceptions for some countries, so please check with the Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction.

Can I apply if the company has only just been set up?

You can, but screening may be more careful. It is important to prepare material showing that the business is stable.

Do I need Japanese-language ability?

If you can understand the technical terms needed for the work, a high level of Japanese is not necessarily required.

What should I do if I cannot change?

Go home once, obtain a 在留資格認定証明書, and apply for a 査証 at the Japanese embassy or consulate there.

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.