Japan: Do I need to submit translated documents for the Working Holiday Visa?

Redaccion Volare | March 6, 2026

One of the points that generates the most confusion when preparing the file for the Japan Working Holiday program is the language of the documentation. According to the guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), translation requirements vary drastically depending on the consulate's flexibility and the official language of the country of origin.

Submitting documents in an unaccepted language can lead to immediate rejection of the application or significant delays. To avoid this, we have classified nationalities into four groups according to their current administrative framework:

1. Group 1: English-Speaking Countries (United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland)

• Regulation: No translation required.

• Detail: All documents (both personal and official) are accepted directly in their original language, as English is a vehicular language universally accepted by MOFA.

2. Group 2: Broad Local Flexibility (Argentina, Chile, Spain, Uruguay, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan)

• Regulation: No mandatory translation required.

• Detail: Bank statements and medical or criminal record certificates are accepted in the local language (Spanish, French, Chinese). Personal documents such as the CV and travel plan are also accepted in the local language, although consular representations like Argentina's suggest submitting them preferably in English or Japanese to speed up the review.

3. Group 3: Partial Translation (Germany, Czech Republic, Iceland, Netherlands, Sweden, Estonia)

• Regulation: Partial translation required.

• Detail: Personal documents prepared by the applicant (CV, motivation letter, and travel plan) must mandatory be written in English or Japanese. However, official supporting documents, such as bank statements issued by the bank, are accepted in the original local language without the need for translation.

4. Group 4: Total Mandatory Translation (Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway)

• Regulation: Total translation required.

• Detail: This is the group with the highest technical demands. All personal documents must be written in English or Japanese. Likewise, if official documents (bank statements, medical certificates) are issued by the entity in the local language, they must mandatory be accompanied by a certified translation into English.

Final Technical Considerations

Regardless of the group, the official Visa Application Form must always be completed in English or Japanese. Additionally, it is recommended that any translation be clear and professional, although a "sworn translation" is not always required (unless otherwise indicated by the specific consulate).

To learn about fund requirements and the full list of necessary documents, please consult our Japan Working Holiday Visa guide.