Tokyo Tokyo

Working holiday visa

The Government of the Republic of Estonia, in a spirit of promoting closer co-operative relationship between the Republic of Estonia and Japan, desirous of providing wider opportunities for nationals of Japan, particularly the young people of Japan, to experience the culture and general way of life in the Republic of Estonia for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding between the Republic of Estonia and Japan, and wishing to provide arrangements for working holidays which are intended to make it possible for nationals of Japan to enter the Republic of Estonia primarily for a holiday for an extended period and also engage in employment as an incidental aspect of their holiday in order to supplement their travel funds, is prepared to take, on a reciprocal basis, the following measures with respect to the entry of nationals of Japan into the Republic of Estonia, subject to the relevant laws and regulations of the Republic of Estonia:

1. The Government of the Republic of Estonia will issue, free of charge, a working holiday visa valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the intended date of entry in case the applicant specifies the intended date of entry, or twelve (12) months from the date of issuance in case the applicant does not specify the intended date of entry on application from a national of Japan who satisfies all of the following requirements:

(i) is resident in Japan at the time of the application for the aid visa;
(ii) intends primarily to spend holidays in the Republic of Estonia for a period of up to one (1) year from the date of entry;
(iii) is between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years of age both inclusive at the time of application for the said visa;
(iv) is not accompanied by dependents unless those dependents are also entitled to enter the Republic of Estonia on their own grounds;
(v) possesses a valid passport of Japan, and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket;
(vi) possesses reasonable funds for his or her maintenance during the initial period of stay in the Republic of Estonia;
(vii) intends to leave the Republic of Estonia at the end of his or her stay;
(viii) has not previously been issued the said visa;
(ix) has good health, a sound background and no criminal record;
(x) holds medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance to remain in force throughout his/her stay in Estonia; and
(xi) intends to comply with the laws and regulations in force in the Republic of Estonia during his or her stay in the Republic of Estonia.

2. Application for the visa mentioned in paragraph 1 above will be required to be submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Japan in accordance with procedures specific to these arrangements. When necessary, the applicants will be interviewed by the representatives of the Embassy to determine their eligibility.
3 . Applicants will not be refused the visa mentioned in paragraph 1 above solely on the grounds of their lack of knowledge of the Estonian language.
4. The Government of the Republic of Estonia will grant nationals of Japan who have the visas mentioned in paragraph 1 above to work and reside in the Republic of Estonia for a period not more than twelve (12) months (under the terms and conditions determined by the visa mentioned in paragraph 1). They may not extend their stay beyond the period authorized.
5 . Participants from Japan in these arrangements will, during their stay in the Republic of Estonia, be able to take work incidental to their holiday in order to supplement their travel funds.
6. The Government of the Republic of Estonia will require nationals of Japan who have entered the Republic of Estonia under these arrangements to comply with the laws and regulations of the Republic of Estonia and not to engage in employment that is inconsistent with the purpose of these arrangements.
7. Participants from Japan in these arrangements may, subject to the relevant laws and regulations of the Republic of Estonia, enroll in language courses and/or similar courses for the purpose of learning the culture and general way of life in the Republic of Estonia.
8. The Government of the Republic of Estonia may suspend the foregoing measures in whole or in part temporarily for reasons of public security, public order, public health or immigration risk. Any such suspension will be notified immediately to the Government of Japan through diplomatic channels.
9. The Government of the Republic of Estonia may terminate the foregoing measures by giving three (3) months’ written notice to the Government of Japan.
10. The foregoing measures will commence on the 120th day from the date of the notification confirming the completion of the internal procedures of the Republic of Estonia for the issuance of working holiday visas to nationals of Japan (11.03.2020).

 

Applicants are required to submit a D-visa application in person to the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Tokyo. After preparing the required documents and filling out the online visa form, an appointment to the consul should be made via email.

Generally, the documents we request to prepare in advance are:

  • travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visas and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa
  • fully completed and signed application form
  • one color photo (size 35×45 mm). Photo must meet ICAO requirements and should not be older than six months. Photo must be glued on the visa application from (not stapled!)
  • travel medical insurance which guarantees payment of any costs related to applicant’s medical treatment due to illness or injury during the validity of the visa. As a rule, travel medical insurance must be valid for the whole period of requested visa. If applicant will be covered with Estonian health insurance (Tervisekassa) after arrival to Estonia, travel medical insurance must cover only the period until Estonian health insurance (Tervisekassa) insurance becomes valid. For example – if person applies visa for short-term employment, travel medical insurance must cover travel period and additionally first 14 days of working
  • proof of financial means. Applicant must prove that he or she has sufficient financial means according to the purpose of stay
  • data concerning close relatives and family members
  • biographical data
  • additional application form 1 (citizens from NATO member states are exempted)
  • document/letter stating your plan in Estonia and why you want to apply for WHV (free form)
  • bookings for the flight ticket and accommodation

 

Hard copies of the required documents should be submitted during the appointment. The visa fee for WHV is free of charge.

The processing time is 15 calendar days (it may further get delayed depending on the case such as insufficient documents).

All applications must be submitted at least 15-20 days prior to the proposed date of travel to accommodate any unforeseen processing delays.

To make an appointment, or for further inquiries, send an e-mail to [email protected]. We do not accept appointments by phone.