快速導覽
Article updated date: September 2022
Today is to record my Japanese working holiday plan, from the application to the announcement of the process.
I submitted the application for a Japanese working holiday plan at the end of April 2018, and I finally knew the result after waiting for almost two months.
The published results are all placed on the website of the consulate
If you are interested in working holidays in Japan and plan to apply, you can first look at working holidays in Japan - an overview of how to apply
On the day of application, I took half a day off from the company and went to the visa center (which is no longer directly processed by the consulate) to go through the application procedures.
Preparations before applying for a working holiday in Japan
What should I prepare when applying for Japan Working Holiday?
There are many official documents required.
For example, application forms, passports, reasons, resumes, ID cards, school records, passbook records, and other self-recommended materials are all submitted.
Of course, everyone has application forms, passports, resumes, ID cards, etc. Basically, you can pass the basic requirements without filling in mistakes or omissions.
In addition to basic information, additional information is required for Japanese officials to decide on your application.
- letter of reason
- school record
- passbook record
- Other self-recommended information
Among the above 4 items, if you have relevant information, please submit it. The more information you provide, the higher the chance of success.
I think it is more important not to have that kind of information, because the Japanese officials have not said anything, and I feel that it is better to have it than not.
What language should the reasoning letter be written in?
I believe that one of the most concerned issues is what language should the reasoning letter be written in? Should it be in Japanese? English?
My reasoning letter was written in English. I wrote 5 large versions with pictures, printed it in color and handed it over, and then I was approved.
Document preparation for applying for Japanese working holiday
School record, work certificate
I have graduated from a university degree and have worked for many years (almost to the upper limit of application age), and submitted a university degree graduation certificate when applying.
There is also a work certificate, which shows that I am a good citizen and did not go to Japan to commit crimes.
Japanese language proficiency certificate, other self-recommendation materials
Before applying for a working holiday in Japan, I took the JLPT N3 proficiency test to prove that I have enough basic language skills to survive for one year, and basic communication/life is generally not a big problem.
The ability test should be taken earlier, and it must be obtained before applying for a working holiday.
In addition, I also submitted the Japanese class completion certificate at the Hong Kong University Branch (HKU SPACE) to prove that I really have learned Japanese in class~
bank book record
It is said that Japanese officials don’t care too much about whether successful applicants can find a job after arriving. Instead, they require applicants to have enough resources to support their initial life, even after 3-4 months (assuming they really can’t find a job, but not would like to return home).
I thought about this problem when I applied, so I collected all the money saved in the past into one account, and then printed out the passbook record and submitted it.
The amount is not too much. It is about the annual salary of a regular member of a Japanese company. It should be enough to cover expenses, right?
letter of reason
My letter of reason is written in English.
Although Japanese officials say that Hong Kong applications can be made in Japanese/English (Chinese is not acceptable), I think my Japanese has not yet reached the level of business Japanese, and I feel that writing in Japanese may express wrong meanings, so I avoid writing in Japanese.
In addition, writing in English is not a difficult problem for me. It is easy to finish writing after clearing the outline of the paragraphs.
The full justification letter has 5 pages, and it was printed in color when it was submitted, because it included some color pictures and photos.
How should the letter of reason be written?
In fact, it is not difficult to write a letter of reasons for working holidays.
I think it is not difficult to write a good reason letter, as long as the reason letter is regarded as a one-year itinerary plan.
as if written
- Detailed self-introduction, abilities, aspirations, and goals for job interviews
- The goal of holding an event, the method to achieve it, etc.
Give Japanese officials the impression that the applicant is taking working holidays seriously.
Things to avoid in a working holiday justification letter
Although the working holiday is work + vacation, but I have completely-not-have-mentioned-how-how-to-find-job-job, or what job to look for in the whole reason statement.
Because work has never been the point of the Japanese working holiday reasons book.
As long as you think carefully about the fundamental reason for the government to open working holidays, you will understand why the performance of actively looking for a job will become the reason for the failure of the application.
My reason book is mainly written: expected life in Japan, what experience can be participated in, where and what scenery I want to see.
All in all, the point is to let the examiner know why you "must go to Japan" and how important Japan is to you.
Reason statement structure
Of course, the actual content of the reason book cannot be made public, but the overall structure can be discussed
- The first is self-introduction, so that the examiner can know the background of the applicant before reading the long text.
- Introduction The reason for applying for a working holiday is to enhance Japanese ability, the Japanese language background is not strong enough + cultural exchange, experience authentic work and cultural life, etc. (submit a large number of examples at the same time)
- I plan to achieve the goal during the working holiday, because I go for cultural experience, so I write all the cultural things I want to see, summer festivals, mountain climbing, urban life, rural life, cultural experience courses in various places , everything can only be done in Japan, you can’t go to New York to experience Tokyo’s urban life, right?
- A complete timetable, how to accomplish the goals mentioned in point 3, subdivided into regions and months.
- Summarize, what goals do you hope to achieve within a year, and thank you to the reviewer.
Look~ Doesn't it look like a letter for a job interview? As long as you write it with sincerity and humility.
The point is important, so say it three times
Working holidays are mainly about cultural exchange/experience, not a way to make you go to Japan to work crazy and make money.
This is not what the Japanese government wants, because it will affect the local labor job market.
In most countries (Japan is no exception), a working holiday is an opportunity for cultural exchange. (plus various factors such as providing foreign exchange, cheap labor, filling jobs that locals don't want to do, etc.)
Therefore, the reasons for applying for a working holiday should include more cultural exchanges and activities that will spend money to stimulate the economy, as if you like to spend money in Japan in different ways, and you should also show that you have a complete plan to implement , instead of staying at home every day watching Japanese dramas and anime and eating sushi.
The chances of getting hired are quite high.
Application completed, waiting for results
After submitting the application, wait for the results to be announced~
If you are successful, you will have to deal with things like phone contracts/ATM cards/insurance/housing upon arrival, etc.
There is also the clothing, equipment and other items to be prepared to bring.
Some people have said that it is difficult to write a reasoning letter, but I don’t agree with it
Because the letter of reason is the easiest part of submitting the application, life after arrival is a hundred times more difficult than the letter of reason~
Simply applying for a phone number/bank account/accommodation after arrival is more complicated than writing a reason letter~
Or if you want to apply for a job or interview in Japanese
Or when there is a misunderstanding with the locals, you have to try your best to explain the situation...
Writing a letter of reason for the application will probably be easier than any of the above cases
After arriving in Japan, accommodation arrangements, telephone sim card application, resident registration, etc.
More Japanese Working Holiday Records
