Japanese applicants · Commonwealth of Australia
Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) for Japanese citizens
Short-term work-and-travel visa for young people from participating countries.
This page covers the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) specifically for Japanese applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Japan. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 7 days – 2 months
- Government fees
- From AUD 650.
- Typical duration
- 12 months per grant; up to 3 visas with qualifying specified work.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals are set by Department of Home Affairs and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Key figures for Japanese applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
7 days – 2 months
Working Holiday (417/462) typically resolves in 1–8 weeks; online lodgement is generally fastest.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Home Affairs — Working Holiday Maker
Visa overview
Australia's Working Holiday Maker programme has two subclasses: 417 (Working Holiday) for countries under the longstanding arrangement (UK, Ireland, Germany, France, etc.) and 462 (Work and Holiday) for countries with newer agreements (USA, China, Vietnam, etc.). Up to 3 years possible with agricultural/regional work extensions.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Participating country nationality.Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (Consulate-General, Noumea) ↗
- ✓Aged 18–30 (or 35 for some countries).Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (Consulate-General, Noumea) ↗
- ✓Funds of approximately AUD 5,000 and onward travel.Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (via Australian Embassy Hanoi / Consulate-General Ho Chi Minh City) ↗
Common blockers
- !Aged outside band.Australian Government — Department of Home Affairs (Consulate-General, Noumea) ↗
- !Already reached 3-visa lifetime cap.
Typical evidence
Application pathway
Apply online
Simple individual application.
Travel and work
Most employers can hire for up to 6 months per employer.
Extend via specified work
3 months of specified regional work unlocks 2nd-year visa; 6 months the 3rd.
Not sure Commonwealth of Australia is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer youth mobility routes that Japanese nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Japanese citizens eligible for the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462)?+
Eligibility for the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) is set by Department of Home Affairs and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Japanese applicants typically file the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462)?+
a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Department of Home Affairs — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Japanese applicants need a tourist visa for Commonwealth of Australia as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals are set by Department of Home Affairs and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
How long does the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) take to process from Japan?+
The typical published decision window is 7 days – 2 months. Japanese applicants usually file via a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: Home Affairs — Working Holiday Maker, verified 1 June 2026.
How long can I stay in Australia on Working Holiday visas?+
Up to 12 months per visa, and up to three consecutive visas with qualifying specified work extensions — potentially 3 years total.