Japan: Document checklist for the WHV application

Mani Moreira
6 days ago
3 min read

Volare Editorial | March 7, 2026

To ensure a successful application for the Japan Working Holiday program, it is essential to submit a perfect file. According to the guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the required documentation varies significantly depending on the country of origin and the current reciprocity agreements.

Below is the technical breakdown of the mandatory documents divided by administrative requirement groups:

Group 1: Maximum Documentary Requirement

Nationalities: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Portugal, and Lithuania.

This group has the most extensive list of requirements, including mandatory external certifications:

✅ Valid Passport: Original and a copy of the main page.
✅ Visa Form with Photo: Pasted to the form (passport size).
✅ Personal Documents: Curriculum Vitae (CV), Motivation Letter, and detailed Travel Plan.
✅ Bank Statement: From the last 3 months in the holder's name.
✅ Return Tickets: Confirmed or, failing that, demonstrable extra funds to purchase them.
✅ International Medical Insurance: Mandatory full coverage for 12 months.
✅ Medical Certificate of Good Health: Original signed and stamped by a doctor.
✅ Official Criminal Record Certificate: Issued by the corresponding national authority.

Group 2: Strict Validity Times

Nationality: Spain.

The main characteristic of this group is the "freshness" of the documents presented at the time of the appointment:

✅ Valid Passport and Form with Photo.
✅ CV, Motivation Letter, and Travel Plan.
✅ Bank Statement: Mandatory issued within the last 15 days.
✅ Return Tickets (or additional funds).
✅ International Medical Insurance (Mandatory).
✅ Medical Certificate: Mandatory issued within the last 3 weeks.
✅ Criminal Records: Specific affidavit (Annex D).

Group 3: "Pledge" Insurance Flexibility

Nationalities: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

This group allows a transition to the Japanese health system without the need for a prior 12-month private insurance:

✅ Valid Passport and Form with Photo.
✅ CV, Motivation Letter, and Travel Plan.
✅ Bank Statement: Maximum 1 month old.
✅ Return Tickets (or extra funds).
✅ Medical Insurance OR Commitment of Affiliation: Signing the commitment document to join the National Health Insurance in Japan (Pledge / Form 3).

Group 4: Medical Requirement without Official Penalty

Nationalities: Canada, France, Iceland, and Slovakia.

Focuses on the applicant's physical fitness without requiring an independent police certificate:

✅ Valid Passport and Form with Photo.
✅ CV, Motivation Letter, and Travel Plan.
✅ Bank Statement: From the last 3 months.
✅ Return Tickets (or extra funds).
✅ International Medical Insurance (Mandatory).
✅ Original Medical Certificate: Explicitly endorsing good physical and mental health.

Group 5: Basic Standard

Nationalities: Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and rest of Europe (Austria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Czech Republic).

Constitutes the core base of the Working Holiday application:

✅ Valid Passport and Form with Photo.
✅ CV, Motivation Letter, and Travel Plan.
✅ Bank Statement: From the last 3 months.
✅ Return Tickets (or extra funds).
✅ International Medical Insurance: Mandatory to cover the initial stay and emergencies.

Technical Note: Regardless of the group, all documents must be legible and presented in the languages accepted by each consulate (generally English, Japanese, or the local language depending on the office's flexibility). To download the official Travel Plan and Motivation Letter formats, please consult our complete Japan Working Holiday Visa guide.