Japan introduces Working Holiday visa for Brazilians

A new Working Holiday visa program, established through an agreement between the governments of Brazil and Japan, is set to launch on December 1, 2026. The program allows Brazilian citizens aged 18 to 30 to stay in Japan for up to one year to combine tourism, studies, and remunerated work.

Key features of the visa include that applicants do not need to prove Japanese ancestry or demonstrate Japanese language proficiency. While the primary purpose of the trip is tourism, participants can work to supplement their finances and attend Japanese language courses. The visa is issued free of charge by the Japanese government and is valid for three months for entry, allowing a stay of up to 12 months without the possibility of extension.

In a separate demographic trend, data from the Immigration Services Agency shows that the Brazilian population in Japan decreased by 0.2% during the first half of 2026. As of June 2026, there were 209,550 Brazilian residents, a slight decline from 210,014 in December 2025. This shift resulted in Brazil moving to the eighth largest foreign community in Japan, following Myanmar.