Proof of funds guide for the Japan WHV

Redaccion Volare | March 5, 2026

To ensure that participants can support their initial stay, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) requires proof of liquid financial solvency as an essential requirement to approve the visa for the Working Holiday program.

One of the pillars of the Japan Working Holiday Visa is that work must be a secondary activity, with tourism and cultural exchange being the primary goal. For this reason, Japanese consular authorities are extremely rigorous when evaluating the applicant's financial capacity before their trip. Unlike other visas with a single global amount, the fund requirement for Japan is calculated based on one main variable: whether or not you hold flight tickets.

1. Applicants with a purchased round-trip ticket

If, at the time of submitting the application at the Embassy or Consulate, the candidate already has confirmed flight tickets (both for entry to Japan and exit at the end of the year), the required amount decreases considerably.

• Estimated amount: The equivalent of 2,000 USD (US Dollars).

• Local application: Each embassy performs the conversion to the local currency. For example, for Spain it is usually around 2,000 EUR, for the UK about 1,500 GBP, and for Latin American countries it is adjusted to the exact equivalent in their currency at the official exchange rate.

2. Applicants with a one-way ticket (or no tickets)

The Japanese government allows applying without having purchased a return ticket, or even without having purchased any flights yet. However, in this scenario, the applicant must demonstrate that they possess enough extra money to purchase the return ticket in the future.

• Estimated amount: The equivalent of 3,000 USD (US Dollars) or more.

• Justification: This increase of approximately 1,000 USD over the initial base is solely intended to guarantee that the foreigner will not be stranded in Japanese territory due to a lack of resources to return to their country of origin.

How do I prove my funds?

Depending on the nationality of the passport, the requirements to prove financial solvency vary slightly to adjust to local banking regulations and specific treaties.

Group A: Standard Requirements

Applies to: Spain, Chile, Uruguay, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, France, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

For these nationalities, the evidentiary document consists of an original bank statement for the last 3 months in the holder's name. It is essential to remember that credit limits or accounts belonging to third parties (relatives or friends) are not accepted.

Group B: Cases with Specific Rules

• Germany: A 3-month statement is required. The applicant must show the physical bank card at the appointment OR present the statement duly stamped and signed by the bank.

• Argentina: 3-month statement in the name of the holder or co-holder. Credit limits are not allowed, and the calculation of pesos is based on the official dollar exchange rate.

• Australia / Canada / United Kingdom: 3-month statement. Funds in a joint account are allowed for married or de facto couples (for Australia, the statement must be issued a maximum of 30 days prior and include name and address).

• Estonia: 3-month statement. The use of credit cards, loans, or traveler's checks is prohibited. Joint accounts are allowed for couples.

• Norway: An original bank certificate written in English is required, which must be manually signed and stamped by the banking entity.

• Iceland: Original bank statement for the last 3 months in the name of the holder. Credit is not accepted.

• Malta: Original bank statement or balance certificate in the name of the holder, which must be presented in English.

Technical requirements of the bank statement

Simply having the money is not enough; the way it is presented is meticulously evaluated by the consul:

• Ownership: The bank account must be exclusively in the applicant's name (except for the joint account exceptions mentioned above). Third-party guarantees are not accepted.

• Liquidity: The money must be available for immediate withdrawal (checking or savings accounts). Bonds, stocks, cryptocurrencies, or fixed-term deposits are not accepted.

• History: As a general rule, bank statements for the last 3 months prior to the application are required, signed and stamped by the bank, to demonstrate the legitimacy and stability of the funds.

To find the exact updated amounts according to your country of residence and download the complete list of requirements, we invite you to consult our Japan Working Holiday Visa guide.