Japan

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Japan is an archipelago country in East Asia consisting of 4 main islands (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, Hokkaido) and several thousand small islands. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and both the largest city of the country and of the world. Other major urban centers include Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. The climate ranges from freezing cold winters in the North in Hokkaido to a more temperate climate in the center of the archipelago up until the Subtropics in the South in Okinawa. The population of 125 million people mostly live in highly urbanized areas in the flatlands, while the interior of the main islands is very mountainous and densely covered in forests. As one of the largest economies in the world, Japan is a member of the G7, renowned for its expertise in high-tech and multi-media technologies. Japan is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, with Emperor Naruhito as the Head of State. The official language is Japanese.

Conditions of eligibility and practical arrangements

1. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following conditions:

  • They must be between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years old at the time of application;
  • They must hold a valid Luxembourgish passport;
  • They must not be accompanied by any dependents (e.g. children);
  • They must have sufficient financial means cover their expenses on site (min. €2,500);
  • They must possess a valid return ticket or sufficient financial means to purchase one;
  • They must meet the health criteria required for obtaining a medical certificate;
  • They must have a clean criminal record;
  • They must not have previously participated in Japan's Work & Travel Program;

·         They must officially be residing in Luxembourg at the time of application.

2. General and additional mandatory conditions to be met and supporting documents to be submitted:

  • 1 completed and signed application;
  • 2 passport photos;
  • A passport valid for at least 15 months from the date of visa issuance;
  • A legalized criminal record certificate issued within the last three months translated in English;
  • A legalized medical certificate issued within the last three months;
  • A reservation for a return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to purchase one;
  • A signed cover letter in English;
  • A CV in English;
  • Proof of sufficient financial means equivalent to or exceeding €2,500 (bank statements or notarized deed attesting to possession of this amount);
  • Proof of accommodation for the first 15 days (hotel reservation, or in case of private accommodation, an invitation letter with a copy of an identity document);
  • Health insurance covering the entire duration of stay with a coverage up to €30,000.

3. How to apply for a work & travel program visa for Japan:

Luxembourg citizens must submit their application to:

 Embassy of Japan in Luxembourg

 62, Avenue de la Faïencerie

 L-1510 Luxembourg

 Tel: + (352) 46 41 51-1 (Standard)

 Email: embjapan@lx.mofa.go.jp

 Website

4. Further information

  • Work & Travel Program visas are issued to a maximum quota of 100 Luxembourgish participants per year and is free of charge.
  • Work & Travel visas are for single entry. Therefore, if the Work & Travel visa holder has to leave Japan for any reason and thereafter wishes to return to Japan, he must obtain a Special Re-entry Permit at the departure airport. For further information, please follow the link below: Special Re-entry Permit.
  • Luxembourg applicants will receive a long-stay, multiple-entry visa for 12 months. No extensions or changes in visa type will be authorized thereafter.
  • Visas are valid for three months from the date of issue. An applicant therefore needs to enter Japan within three months of the visa being issued.
  • Participants are authorized to take up temporary employment with one or more employers during the period covered by the long-stay visa.
  • Beneficiaries of this visa are not eligible for unemployment benefits or social welfare.