Job Discussion Forums

[Cshannon]

Is it possible? Has anybody with a passport from two of the WHV-eligible countries (Canada, France etc.) ever tried getting two separate visas (ie. 1 per passport)? Or does Japan's immigration somehow keep your name on record to prevent this? I don't see how they could, but I was just wondering about this.

[JimDunlop2]

Huh? What do you mean? Do you mean someone who has dual citizenship and can travel on a passport issued by either of the nations he is a citizen of?

If that's what you mean, then I don't know about the legality of it. But I assume the reason why someone would want to do this would be mainly to extend their stay in Japan... So what you'd have to do, is get your WHVB in let's say Canada, go to Japan for 6 months (or a year) then return to France, fill out the visa app. forms again and then come back to Japan.

Aside from the impracticality of something like this, don't forget that you would have to go into the consulate in person, and also have all the required items for a WHV -- return plane ticket, enough money in travellers' cheques, etc, etc. Plus, you can only get a WHV till you are 30 so you'd have to be fairly young to pull it off too...

[chirp]

Jim wrote: "Huh? What do you mean? Do you mean someone who has dual citizenship and can travel on a passport issued by either of the nations he is a citizen of?"

I hold dual citizenship and regularly travel on both passports but as you correctly pointed out, there is a lot involved in applying for a WHV so it would be tricky (but not impossible) to have it first in one passport and then another. Besides, I don't really see the benefit of it - just get a regular working visa once you have found a suitable job.

As for the age cut-off, as long as the paperwork is filed prior to your 30th birthday (as I understand the regulations - it may actually be before your 31st), you can leave anytime in the following year.

chirp

[Cshannon]

[chirp]

Cshannon,

I think that you might find that the requirements to apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Japan are a little more intensive. I have included the WHV requirements for Canadians and I can only assume that they should be about the same for other eligible countries.

Applicant Prerequisites:

Must be a Canadian citizen currently residing in Canada;
Intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific period of time;
Be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application;
Possess a valid Canadian passport and a return travel ticket;
Possess reasonable funds for their maintenance, including medical expenses, during the period of initial stay in Japan;
Be in good health and not have a criminal record.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

Valid Canadian passport;
Completed application form;
Photos (passport size, approx. 45mm x 45mm)
Personal history/resume/curriculum vitae;
Detailed itinerary of stay in Japan proposed by applicant;
Letter explaining your reasons for a Working-Holiday visa;
Note from physician stating that you are in good health (proof of a recent medical examiniation);
Actual return airline ticket;
Minimum $2,500 in Travellers Cheques ($3,500 for married couple)

Please go to http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/2004/VisaTravel/WHV.html for more information.

Good luck!

Chirp