Hong Kong applications up for Japan working holiday visas
Less than one third of applicants successful
Less than one third of Hongkongers who applied for a Japan working holiday visa in the first half of 2016 were successful, as the number of applications grew.
In the first round of working holiday applications this year, the Japanese consulate in Hong Kong got 407 applications, a 4.4 per cent increase on the same time last year.
But the consulate could only issue 125 visas.
UK-based human resources firm ECA International regional director in Asia, Lee Quane, said the increase of applicants could reflect a growing number of university graduates in Hong Kong and their desire to seek overseas work experience.
“Some university graduates look at working holiday as a good opportunity to get some work experience overseas before entering the workforce,” Quane said. “It also reflects Hong Kong people’s enthusiasm for Japan as a holiday and also working destination.”
On returning from a working holiday in Japan, Quane said people may choose to work in companies with a focus on Japan.
He added it was also common for young people in the UK to go on working holidays, and popular destinations include other countries in Europe, North America and Australia.
The male-to-female ratio of Hong Kong applicants for Japan working holidays was around two to three and over 67 per cent of the 125 successful applicants were female.
More than half of the 407 applicants were aged 27 to 30.
The working holiday scheme between Japan and Hong Kong was launched in 2010 and is open for application twice a year. The annual quota is set at 250 visas for each side.
A working holiday visa holder can stay in Japan for up to one year.
The next round of applications this year will open from October 7 to October 21.
