Which visa is needed for an internship or volunteering in Japan?

Many nationalities can stay in Japan visa-free for up to 90 days under the Temporary Visitor Status. This allows you to participate in unpaid internships or volunteer programs for a maximum of 90 days. The visa exemption is granted free of charge upon arrival at a Japanese airport.

Citizens of the UK, Ireland, Mexico, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Switzerland can extend this status once for an additional 90 days at a Regional Immigration Office in Japan, bringing the total stay to 180 days. The official fee for this extension is 6,000 JPY. If you're participating in one of our programs, we’ll support you with the extension process.

You can also join our internship and volunteer programs in Japan if you hold a Working Holiday Visa, Student Visa or self-arranged Tourist Visa.

If your nationality does not allow for visa-free entry to Japan, or if you'd like to stay longer, we can help you obtain the necessary documents to apply for a 30- or 90-day visa for your internship or volunteer placement — available for a small additional fee. However, please note that this may not be possible for all nationalities or in all cases.

Updated on: 24/07/2025