Luxembourg-Japan : Working Holiday visa

From Monday 3 June 2024, an agreement between Japan and Luxembourg comes into force - the "Work & Travel" programme - allowing nationals of both countries to travel and work in the other country for a period of one year. Therefore, there is no need to apply for a residence permit, or to seek a work permit.

The aim of this initiative is to enable young people to discover another country and extend their linguistic and professional knowledge, while at the same time having the opportunity to work to finance their trip. Around a hundred participants from Luxembourg will therefore be able to discover Japanese culture, knowing that the budget allocated to their travel expenses will be covered by a job they can take up in Japan.

This new visa is in line with previous agreements signed by Luxembourg with Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand and Taiwan.

Question

What is the working holiday visa and what advantages does it offer Luxembourg nationals?

Legal basis

Law of 30 November 2020 approving the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Japan, on the other hand, done at Tokyo on 17 July 2018. It will enter into force on 7 December 2020.

In theory

Luxembourg and Japan have entered a partnership through the law of 30 November 2020, thus signing a strategic partnership agreement. The aim of this agreement is to reaffirm the commitment of the respective parties to common values and principles, and to strengthen the ties between these nations at a time of growing global interdependence.

Article 13 of this law provides for the coordination of economic and financial policies, with a view to encouraging job creation. Furthermore, article 20 of this law concerns tourism and aims to improve the competitiveness of the tourism industries, an activity that can contribute to economic growth, cultural exchanges and exchanges between peoples.

In practice

The introduction of a working holiday visa between Luxembourg and Japan is a way of cementing cooperation between those two countries through employment and tourism. The scheme is open to young Luxembourgers aged between 18 and 30 (subject to proof), who can avoid having to apply for a standard work visa.

Applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria:

• Luxembourg nationality is required (through a Luxembourg passport), and one must be aged between 18 and 30.
• It is not possible to be accompanied by dependants.
• One must also have sufficient financial resources to meet one’s daily needs (at least €1,900) and to buy a return ticket (at least €2,100).
• Proof of a clean criminal record must be provided, as well as proof of intention to leave Japan at the end of the stay.
• Similarly, a medical certificate can only be obtained if certain health criteria are met.
• Lastly, one must not have previously taken part in this programme.

They will be able to reside in Japan for a maximum of 12 months, during which time they will be able to work for a fixed period of up to 6 months. However, applicants whose primary aim is to work cannot do so on this visa.

Applications must be submitted to the Japanese Embassy in Luxembourg, and all the necessary forms can be found on the Embassy's website. Similarly, the visa is valid for 3 months from the date it is obtained - i.e. the departure for Japan must fall within this period.

The 100 participants in this programme will therefore be able to look for temporary work in Japan, thanks to the work centres offered locally, or simply travel for the duration of their stay. Similar opportunities will be offered to Japanese candidates travelling to Luxembourg.

Conclusion

This programme offers young Luxembourgers the chance to take part in an international exchange combining professional or academic activity and tourism. More broadly, this agreement is proof of international cooperation, in line with the agreements signed in November 2020.

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