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In Canada, it is called International Experience Canada (IEC) instead of Working holiday.
If you’re a Canadian citizen aged 18 to 35, International Experience Canada (IEC) offers you the opportunity to work and travel abroad. IEC provides you a path to a work permit or visa to work and explore in one of over 30 countries and territories.

By taking part in International Experience Canada (IEC) you:

•  gain valuable international work experience and take your career to the next level
•  develop life-long connections and help strengthen Canada’s place in the global workforce
•  experience the world while you work to discover your strengths and find your inspiration

(Text from: Government of Canada)

The working holiday programmes are, based on bilateral arrangements, intended to make it possible for the youth of Japan and its partner countries/regions to enter each country/region primarily for the purpose of spending holidays while allowing them to engage in employment as an incidental activity of their holidays for the purpose of supplementing their travel funds.
The programmes are designed to provide the youth with wider opportunities for them to appreciate the culture and general way of life in the partner countries/regions for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding between Japan and its partner countries/regions.

(Reference from: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)

The purpose of both IEC and the working holiday is to deepen understanding by experiencing and engaging in cultural exchange with the host country's culture and way of life! In other words, the working holiday is like a super visa that allows you to travel and study while you stay in the country for up to one year!

Qualifications

Applicants for the Working Holiday visa must

• 1. Be a Canadian citizen who is resident in Canada
• 2. Intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific period
• 3. Be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application
• 4. Possess reasonable funds to support themself, including medical expenses, during the initial period of stay in Japan
• 5. Possess a valid Canadian Passport
• 6. Be in good health
• 7. Have no criminal record

Please note the maximum limit of 6,500 working holiday visas would be issued to applicable Canadian youth per year.

How Can I Apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Japan?

Application

Submit ALL of the following:

• 1. Valid Canadian passport
• 2. Completed Visa Application Form (You will be exempt from filling in the “Guarantor or Reference in Japan”, as well as “Inviter in Japan” information, unless you have a plan to stay in a specific place in Japan.)
• 3. One photo (Approx. 45mm x 35mm, taken within the last 6 months)
• 4. Personal resume/curriculum vitae
• 5. Detailed itinerary of your stay in Japan (Outline of Intended Activities Form)
• 6. Letter explaining your reason for applying for a Working Holiday Visa
• 7. Note from a physician stating that you are in good health (Original note)
• 8. Canadian dollar minimum amount $3,500 in a bank statement providing proof of that amount.
• 9. Airline ticket or flight itinerary to Japan. Add an additional $1000 to the above amount if you are unable to provide your itinerary or ticket.

Processing Time

Working-Holiday Visas are processed in a minimum of one week.

Note:

• 1. We cannot guarantee that your visa will be processed before your intended departure date.
• 2. Applicants are advised to purchase medical insurance before departure.
• 3. The above information may be changed without notice.

Even if you don’t speak Japanese, many positions are available at guest houses, line workers, English teachers, at resorts etc. We have partnerships with these industries to support you!

Many companies are facing a shortage of manpower. By improving your Japanese language skills and reaching a level where you are comfortable in everyday conversations, you may be able to secure more advanced job opportunities.

If you are a Canadian who possesses the Canadian passport, you can visit Japan for up to 90 days.* You don’t even need to apply for a visitor visa, however, you are not allowed to go to school nor to work. It is strictly just for traveling or touring.

Japan has taken measures on the visa exemption arrangements for 69 countries/regions as of 2023.

If you are non-Canadian, please check below.

Exemption of Visa
(Short-Term Stay)

Asia	Europe
Brunei*	Andorra
Indonesia*	Austria
Malaysia	Belgium
Republic of Korea	Bulgaria
Singapore	Croatia
Thailand*	Cyprus
Hong Kong	Czech Republic
Macao	Denmark
Taiwan	Estonia
North America	Finland
Canada	North Macedonia
United States	France
Latin America and the Caribbean	Germany
Argentina	Greece
Bahamas	Hungary
Barbados	Iceland
Chile	Ireland
Costa Rica	Italy
Dominican Republic	Latvia
El Salvador	Liechtenstein
Guatemala	Lithuania
Honduras	Luxembourg
Mexico	Malta
Surinam	Monaco
Uruguay	Netherlands
Oceania	Norway
Australia	Poland
New Zealand	Portugal
Middle East	Romania
Israel	San Marino
Qatar	Serbia
Turkey	Slovakia
United Arab Emirates*	Slovenia
Africa	Spain
Lesotho	Sweden
Mauritius	Switzerland
Tunisia	United Kingdom

*The period of stay granted at the time of the landing permission will be "15 days" for Indonesia, and Thailand, “14 days” for Brunei, "30 days" for the United Arab Emirates and "90 days" for other countries and regions.