Japan will issue more visas to British nationals under the Working Holiday Program (WHP), the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
As of April 1, the yearly quota of eligible UK nationals to use this program has been expanded from 1,000 to 6,000, VisaGuide.World reports.
Among other things, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipates this initiative to further enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Expanding the visa quota for the Working Holiday Program further encourages exchange and mutual understanding between the youths of Japan and the UK and is expected to further strengthen the relationship between Japan and the UK.
Previously, UK Increased Visa Quota For Young Japanese Under YMS
A similar decision was announced earlier this year by the UK authorities. As of January 31, 2024, the number of young Japanese nationals eligible to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) has increased to 6,000.
The British Embassy announced at that time that Japanese citizens no longer need to register through a ballot to apply for the YMS visa. They can now apply anytime, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Regarding this initiative, the British Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom CMG, stated that the relationship between the UK and Japan is stronger than ever.
Schemes like the Youth Mobility Scheme and Working Holiday Scheme offer life-changing opportunities that open doors and minds, and it is wonderful to see them growing.
Thousands of Young British & Japanese People Traveled & Worked Through These Programs
The Working Holiday Program between Japan and the UK was first introduced in 2001. The Japanese Ministry noted that the working holiday programs, established through agreements between countries, aim to allow young people from Japan and its partner countries to visit each other’s countries mainly for holiday purposes, while also allowing them work during their stay to support their travels.
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.
Reportedly, thousands of young British and Japanese individuals have been able to travel, work, and discover each other’s countries and cultures through these visa mobility programs.