Switching from working holiday to student visa in Japan | Complete guide 

2025/06/05

If you’re currently in Japan on a Working Holiday Visa and considering extending your stay through education, switching to a Student Visa might be the perfect solution.

This guide covers everything you need to know about making the transition from a Working Holiday visa to a Student visa smoothly. We’ll walk you through the timing, requirements, and country-specific rules that could impact your plans.

Key differences between student visa and working holiday visa in Japan 

Working Holiday Visa and Student Visa serve completely different purposes and target different types of people. Understanding these fundamental differences is the first step before making any transition decisions.

The Working Holiday Visa is designed primarily for cultural exploration and travel experiences. Work is allowed but serves as a secondary means to fund your stay and experience Japanese working culture.

The Student Visa is specifically for formal education in Japan. Whether you’re attending a university, language school, vocational school, or graduate program, this visa requires full-time study commitment with work serving only as supplementary income.

Working holiday vs. student visa – Detailed comparisons 

	Working Holiday Visa	Student Visa
Eligibility	1. Citizen of one of 26 eligible countries  2. Valid Passport  3. No dependents or children  4. Proof of sufficient funds5. Proof of return ticket	1. Acceptance letter from Japanese educational institution 2. CoE (Certificate of Eligibility)  3. Proof of sufficient funds
Age Restriction	Must be between 18-25 or 18-30 (varies by country)	Must be at least 18 years old
Duration	Exactly 12 month Some countries allow second visa after gap period	6 months to 4+ years depending on program
Working Rights	Unlimited working hours  Full-time or part-time jobs allowed  Work is optional	Maximum 28 hours per week Requires separate work permit  Work is optional
Study requirement	Study is optional No specific attendance requirements  No academic progress monitoring  Can attend flexible online japanese courses	Must study full time  Minimum 80% attendance rate required  Academic progress monitoring  Poor performance can result in visa cancellation

When should you switch from a working holiday to a student visa?

There are several situations where switching from a Working Holiday Visa to Student Visa becomes beneficial. The most common scenario is when your 12-month Working Holiday Visa is expiring but you want to stay longer in Japan for educational purposes. Since Working Holiday Visas cannot be renewed, switching to a Student Visa is the one legal way to extend your stay. 

Another situation is when you have an important gap before your university program in Japan starts. You can use your Working Holiday Visa to enter Japan early, work to save money, and improve your Japanese before making the working holiday visa to student visa Japan transition when classes begin. 

You might also switch if you realize you need structured language learning that only formal language schools can provide, or if you’ve identified career opportunities that require specific Japanese qualifications or degrees. Finally, if you’re considering Japan as your long-term home, a Student Visa offers a clearer path to work visas and permanent residency compared to the temporary nature of Working Holiday Visas.

Changing Working Holiday Visa Japan: Step-by-Step Process

1. Build a Clear Timeline 

To ensure a successful working holiday to student visa Japan transition, you should understand the timeline requirements to avoid rushing and missing important deadlines. 

• School application processes take approximately 3 to 4 months
• Visa status change applications require approximately 1 to 1.5 months 

You should begin the process 5 months before your working holiday visa expires to secure school admission, gather all required documents, and complete the visa change process without stress. This timeline gives you enough buffer time to handle any unexpected delays or additional document requests.

2. Choose the right school and check requirements

The first step for changing working holiday visa status is finding the right language school, university, or educational institution that will accept you as a student.  For universities, note that the academic year typically starts in April or September, so plan accordingly. 

Some language schools require proof of 150 hours of Japanese language study for admission. If you need this certification quickly, you can obtain it in approximately 3 months through programs like Nihongo Online School.

3. Apply for a Visa Status Change

After receiving acceptance from your chosen school, you must visit the immigration office to submit your visa change application. You’ll need to prepare several documents : 

• Change of status application form
• Recent passport-style photograph
• Copies of your passport and residence card
•  Written statement explaining your study goals and future plans
• Employment contract or work certificate 
• Tax payment certificate
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses
• Proof of Japanese language proficiency if required 

The immigration office typically takes 1~2 months to review your application, so submit everything well before your current visa expires.

4. Change your status to student visa while staying in Japan 

Converting your working holiday visa to a student visa while remaining in Japan is officially not permitted for most countries. Only citizens from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, and South Korea can change their status within Japan.

If you’re from any other country, you must leave Japan before your working holiday visa expires, apply for a student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country, and return to Japan with the new student visa. This restriction is based on bilateral agreements between Japan and individual countries. 

Other options to stay in Japan after a working holiday visa

Working Holiday to Work Visa Japan Transition

If you’ve secured employment during your working holiday, transitioning to a work visa allows you to stay in Japan long-term. You’ll need a job offer from a Japanese company that matches your educational background or professional experience. The employer typically assists with obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and you may need to demonstrate university-level qualifications or equivalent work experience. 

Most positions require a university degree, and when you change working holiday visa to working visa in Japan, the job must fit specific visa categories like teaching, engineering, or business.

From a working holiday visa to a business manager visa

This option suits entrepreneurs who want to start their own business in Japan. You’ll need to establish a registered company with a minimum capital of ¥5 million and demonstrate a solid business plan. The requirements are extensive and include securing office space, providing detailed financial projections, and showing relevant business experience. 

This visa allows you to manage your own business and can eventually lead to permanent residency, making it an attractive option for those with entrepreneurial ambitions and sufficient capital. Be prepared for significant financial investment and complex business planning requirements.