Rulebook

Designated Activities

118 entries · 118 confirmed · Rulebook checked on 2026-10-22.

Every statement on this site that states a rule traces to an entry here. Each entry cites an official document, quotes it, and shows when we checked it. Entries that are not confirmed are marked and are not used as fact.

What it is · 13Who qualifies · 42Numbers and tests · 14Periods · 13Deadlines · 3Fees · 4How it works · 11Penalties · 1Lists and tables · 6Recent changes · 11

What it is

Who qualifies

Numbers and tests

Periods

Deadlines

Fees

  • The new window-filing fee for a status change or extension is 10,000 yen for a permit of three months or less, 18,000 yen for over three up to six months, 25,000 yen for over six months to under one year, and 33,000 yen for one year.
    Quote from the source
    3月以下 10,000円 3月超6月以下 18,000円 6月超1年未満 25,000円 1年 33,000円

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • For longer permits the window fee is 48,000 yen for over one up to under three years, 64,000 yen for three up to under five years, and 75,000 yen for five years or more.
    Quote from the source
    1年超3年未満 48,000円 3年以上5年未満 64,000円 5年以上 75,000円

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • For online filings the permit fee is 10,000 yen up to three months, 15,000 yen up to six months, 21,000 yen under one year and 27,000 yen for one year, and a separate 330 yen settlement fee is added for permits shorter than three years (550 yen from three years); the totals shown by the ISA are 10,330, 15,330, 21,330 and 27,330 yen.
    Quote from the source
    3月以下 10,000円 330円 10,330円 3月超6月以下 15,000円 15,330円 6月超1年未満 21,000円 21,330円 1年 27,000円 27,330円

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • Applicants who qualify for a reduction because of financial hardship or similar reasons pay 10,000 yen regardless of the period granted.
    Quote from the source
    減額後の手数料は、許可期間にかかわらず10,000円です。

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

    在留期間更新許可申請(手数料) 手数料(注2) · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-10-01

How it works

Penalties

  • Working holiday participants may not work in bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling venues or similar premises affecting public morals; doing so counts as an immigration violation and leads to deportation unless the person is a trafficking victim.
    Quote from the source
    strictly prohibited from working at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling establishments and other premises affecting public morals in Japan.

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

Lists and tables

Recent changes

  • Since the January 2026 overhaul of the online residence application system, applications for J-Find (and its family status) and for the J-Skip household-worker status can be filed online, using a different input method from before.
    Quote from the source
    令和8年1月に実施した在留申請オンラインシステムの更改で、「特定活動(家事 使用人(特別高度人材型))」、「特定活動(未来創造人材外国人)」及び「特定活動(未来創造人材外国人の配偶者等)」のオンライン申請に対応しています。

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • Where a local government gives startup support to a foreign national, the ISA applies a special treatment to the business-scale requirement of the Business Manager status.
    Quote from the source
    地方公共団体が外国人に起業支援を行う場合、在留資格「経営・管理」の事業規模要件に係る取扱いについての特例措置を行っています。

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • The Ministry of Justice notice for the Japanese-university-graduate status was amended with effect from 29 February 2024.
    Quote from the source
    ※在留資格「特定活動(告示第46号)」に係る法務省告示の一部が改正され、令和6年2月29日に施行されました。

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • From applications filed on 15 April 2026, applicants for this status must additionally submit a declaration about the representative of the employing organisation, except when applying as a family member.
    Quote from the source
    令和8年4月15日(水)以降の申請から、以下の添付書類を追加で提出いただく必要があります。

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • Since 1 December 2024, nationals of Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark and Austria can take part in the Japanese working holiday programme twice in their lifetime.
    Quote from the source
    the nationals of Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, and Austria are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

    The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan 2. Eligibility [NB2] · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2024-12-01
  • Since 1 January 2025, nationals of Germany, Ireland and Slovakia can also take part twice in their lifetime, as two separate one-year stays.
    Quote from the source
    the nationals of Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

    The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan 2. Eligibility [NB2] · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-01-01
  • South Korean nationals have been allowed since 1 October 2025 to take part in the programme twice in their lifetime, as two inconsecutive one-year stays.
    Quote from the source
    Starting from 1 October, 2025, the nationals of South Korea are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime (two inconsecutive one-year stays in total).

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

    The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan 2. Eligibility [NB2] · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2025-10-01
  • People of Taiwan have been allowed to take part twice in their lifetime since 1 February 2026.
    Quote from the source
    Starting from 1 February, 2026, the people of Taiwan are allowed to participate in the Working Holiday Programmes twice in lifetime

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

    The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan 2. Eligibility [NB2] · Checked on 2026-10-22 · In force from 2026-02-01
  • For Indonesia, the upper limit on stay is extended to five years for both nurse and care-worker candidates because of the amended Japan-Indonesia EPA entering into force in August 2026.
    Quote from the source
    インドネシアについては、令和8年8月の改正日尼EPAの発効等により、看護・介護ともに在留期間の上限は5年に延長

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • Nurse and care-worker candidates who fail the exam can still receive a special one-year stay extension if they meet set conditions, under general cabinet decisions repeated from 2011 through February 2025; a further February 2026 decision concerns Indonesian nurse candidates under the amended Japan-Indonesia EPA.
    Quote from the source
    特例的な滞在期間の延長(1年間)を認め、候補者に、日本での就労・研修を継続しながらの追加的な国家試験の受験機会を提供することとなりました

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23

  • Residence permit fees for status changes and extensions were revised effective 1 October 2026, replacing the flat 6,000 yen window fee with amounts that depend on the length of stay granted; applications received up to 30 September 2026 still pay the old fee.
    Quote from the source
    (注1)2026年9月30日までに受付した申請については、当該申請に係る許可が10月1日以降となっても、改定前の手数料(6,000円)による納付となります。

    Quote matched the source on 2026-10-23