Slovakia has applied new changes to its Working Holiday Program for Japanese participants.
Under the new amendment approved on February 5, 2025, Japanese nationals can now participate twice in this program, while up to this point, they were only eligible to participate once, Schengen.News reports.
On February 5, 2025, the Government of Slovakia, by Resolution No. 48, approved an amendment to the Working Holiday Program for Participants from Japan in Slovakia. The amendment concerns point 1, letter h) of the program, which consists in the possibility for citizens of Japan to participate in the program twice.
However, Japanese nationals’ stay under this program must be separate, meaning that they cannot stay for two consecutive years in Slovakia under the Working Holiday Program.
The new changes align with a similar decision Japan made for Slovaks. Since the beginning of this year, nationals of Slovakia are also permitted to participate twice for the Japanese Working Holiday Program.
The decision was confirmed through a statement provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Starting January 1, 2025, as for nationals of Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia, the Working Holiday Programmes will be allowed for two-lifetime occurrences (two inconsecutive one-year stays in total).
Supporting Young People From Several Countries to Visit Slovakia
The Working Holiday Program is a project built upon bilateral agreements that Slovakia has with several other countries. The main purpose is cultural exchange, however, those part of this program are also allowed to study or work for short-term stays.
Under the Working Holiday Program, Slovakia has bilateral agreements with several countries, among them:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Taiwan
- Australia
- Japan
The Working Holiday Program for participants of Slovakia and Japan was approved by both countries on April 18, 2016.
The scheme aims to mutually facilitate the entry and residence process for citizens of Slovakia and Japan in the territory of the other state.
Among the conditions of benefiting from this program is that participants in this program are aged 18 to 30. Applicants should not be accompanied by dependents and have sufficient funds to cover initial costs in the host country.
In addition, they must also have sufficient means to ensure their departure from the host country and have health insurance to cover their entire stay.
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