Japan and South Korea to permit second working holiday visas from Oct 2025

(Japan) Japan and South Korea will let their citizens apply for a second working holiday visa starting in October 2025, ending the one‑time limit that has been in place for years. The decision, confirmed on August 21, 2025, is set to be formalized when Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hosts South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for a summit in Tokyo on Saturday, August 23. Both governments say the move will deepen youth exchanges, help local economies, and mark a fresh step in ties during the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization.

Under the reciprocal program, eligible applicants are young adults aged 18 to 25. Each working holiday visa allows stays of up to one year for travel and short‑term work. The change opens the door for a second year on a separate visa, giving many students and recent graduates from Japan and South Korea a longer window to live, work, and build friendships across the sea.

South Korea becomes the ninth country where Japan allows a second working holiday visa, joining Austria, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and Slovakia. Officials say detailed guidance for the cross‑border arrangement will be posted in September, ahead of the October start.

Policy details and timeline

The governments plan to publish practical instructions on embassy websites next month. For now, they have outlined the basics: the second working holiday visa will be open only to citizens of Japan and South Korea who meet the program’s age rules. Applications will be handled by embassies and consulates, as with the first visa, and each visa will continue to be valid for up to one year.

Key points at a glance:

• Start date: October 2025
• Who can apply: Citizens of Japan or South Korea aged 18–25
• How long you can stay: Up to one year per visa
• What’s new: The second working holiday visa is now allowed, ending the one‑time‑only limit

Applicants usually need to show proof of funds, a basic travel plan, and other supporting documents. For some nationalities already in Japan’s program, rules differ on where a second application can be filed. British and Canadian citizens, for example, can apply while in Japan, while others must return home first. Officials have not yet said which route will apply to Japan–South Korea cases, but they have indicated procedures will follow current patterns and will be clarified before October.

For official guidance on eligibility and partner countries, see the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs working holiday page: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

Historical context

Japan launched its first working holiday arrangement with Australia in 1980 and now has agreements with about 30 countries and regions. Until now, the program has been limited to a single year for South Korean participants, with no way to repeat. That limit will now be lifted, and both governments will track results after the first season of applications.

Impact on youth, travel, and labor

Demand is already strong. In 2024, about one‑third of all Japanese working holiday visas—roughly 7,400—went to South Korean nationals, and the trend has been rising. Tourism ties are even deeper: Japan welcomed 8.8 million visitors from South Korea in 2024, the largest source of inbound travelers.

Allowing a second working holiday visa is expected to:

• Extend stays and encourage repeat visits
• Spread visitor spending more evenly across the year
• Provide a larger pool of trained seasonal workers for employers

Industry groups in Japan have pushed for this step. Ski resorts, winter sports operators, and hospitality employers have reported staff shortages as travel rebounds. Seasonal work patterns fit well with working holiday schedules, and adding a second visa gives employers a wider pool of trained returnees who already know the job and the local area.

The move also fits with Japan’s recent expansions of the second‑visa option to a range of other partner countries in late 2024 and early 2025.

Diplomatic and social effects

The policy carries diplomatic weight. After years of strain over historical and territorial issues, both sides say youth exchange helps ease old tensions and builds practical ties. Aligning the announcement with the diplomatic normalization anniversary underlines that message. Officials in Tokyo and Seoul have framed the change as a long‑term investment in friendship between neighbors.

Young people on both sides have responded positively. Examples include:

• A student from Seoul who can work a year at a Hokkaido ski resort, return home to finish classes, then come back for another season.
• A graduate from Osaka who might first teach or work in a café in Busan, go home to save money, then use a second visa for an internship in Seoul.

For many, the extra year can mean better language skills, stronger networks, and a clearer path to early‑career choices.

Policy analysis and related reforms

Policy experts say the shift fits a broader pattern. The Migration Policy Institute notes that both countries remain cautious about long‑term immigration but are making slow, targeted changes to meet demographic and labor pressures. Working holiday channels are a practical way to support short‑term work and cultural exchange without changing permanent migration rules.

Centuro Global points to Japan’s 2025 reforms—such as higher visa fees and easier access to banking for foreign residents—which may help working holiday participants get settled faster once they arrive.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the governments expect the new option to boost youth mobility and cultural exchange while easing staffing needs in sectors tied to tourism and seasonal demand. Officials in both capitals will monitor outcomes and may adjust quotas, age limits, or eligible sectors in future years based on results.

How to prepare (steps for applicants)

For applicants planning ahead, there are a few simple steps to prepare while waiting for the September guidance and the October start:

1. Check your passport validity and make sure it covers your planned stay.
2. Start saving funds, since proof of money for living costs is commonly required.
3. Gather a basic travel plan, including where you might live and work.
4. Watch embassy and consulate notices for any country‑specific rules on where to apply for the second visa.
5. Note the age limit (18–25) carefully; missing it by even a day can end eligibility.

Employer guidance

Employers, especially in winter and hospitality hubs, are mapping out the next hiring season. Returning working holiday staff often need less training and can help fill peak‑season gaps quickly. Companies should:

• Verify visa status before a new hire starts
• Schedule earlier outreach, since the October launch may shift application timelines
• Plan for documentation and appointment wait times

Looking ahead

Japan may keep expanding second‑visa eligibility to other partners as part of its effort to draw more global talent and strengthen ties with friendly countries. For now, the Japan–South Korea step stands out because of the scale of travel between the two neighbors and the large share of working holiday visas already held by South Korean citizens.

Final procedural details are due in September, and the second working holiday visa window opens in October 2025. Applicants and employers should rely on official embassy channels for the latest rules, and build timelines that allow for document checks and appointment wait times as the first wave of second‑visa applications begins.

Key takeaway: the new second‑visa option expands short‑term mobility and seasonal labor capacity while reinforcing youth exchange as a diplomatic bridge between Japan and South Korea.