Winter Work Japan

By signing below, I confirm that I have applied to participate in the Winter Work Japan Program (the “Program”) offered by the American Institute for Foreign Study (Australia) Pty Ltd (AIFS), located at Level 1, 10-14 Oxford Square, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, ABN: 58 087 638 499.

I acknowledge and agree to the following Terms and Conditions and agree to be legally bound by them. 

Eligibility

• Be 18 years or older by October 15 of the year of participation.
• Have at least one year of recent employment experience (casual, part-time, or full-time).
• Be prepared to enter into an employment contract with a Japanese resort, hotel or other seasonal winter employer to work a winter season, typically running from mid/late November or early December through to the end of March.
• Be prepared to commit to the entirety of the contract. 

The Program

• Applications must be submitted via the AIFS online system. You agree to receive all communications via this system.
• All information provided must be truthful and accurate. Fraudulent applications may be cancelled without a refund.
• You are responsible for completing your application, submitting all the necessary documents in a timely manner.
• You agree to review and follow all materials provided before and upon arrival in Japan.
• You must ensure AIFS can contact you via your provided details. Delayed responses may lead to cancellation without refund. 

Visa Requirements

• AIFS will assist you in securing a Japanese Working Holiday Visa through the appropriate Japanese Consulate. You are responsible for:
  • Holding a valid passport in the country where you will apply.
  • Meeting the visa eligibility criteria and following the visa steps as outlined on the relevant Consulate website.
• residents of VIC, SA, TAS, NT understand that additional visa processing fees and handling apply and that all visa-related third-party costs are non-refundable and subject to change.
• Do not book non-refundable travel until your visa and placement are confirmed.
• AIFS is not liable for travel cancellations or expenses incurred. 

Insurance Requirements

• You must purchase international medical insurance before departure.
• You must enrol in the Japanese National Health Insurance within two weeks of arrival in Japan.

Program Fees, Payments & Refunds

• 2025 program fee: $1699, payable in 3 instalments:
  • $299 (non-refundable) – due upon application
  • $500 – due within 14 days of CV/passport review or within 48 hours of your initial interview
  • $900 – due within 14 days of receiving your contract. Failure to do so may result in your cancellation from the Program without refund.
• Combi Discount: $100 off third instalment for participants who completed another AIFS program within 12 months.
• Payments are due within 14 days of invoice.
• The third instalment must be paid within 14 days of your placement offer.
• If AIFS fails to place you by November 30, you will be refunded your 2nd instalment.
• If you withdraw before placement, all paid instalments will be forfeited unless due to certified medical reasons (excluding the first payment).
• If you withdraw after placement but before departure, no refund will be issued. 

What’s Included

• Application and placement services
• Visa assistance
• Airport transfer by train
• 3 nights of arrival accommodation
• 3 breakfasts • In-country orientation
• 24/7 in-country support throughout placement 7. What’s Not Included

Third-party costs

• Your one-way or return flight from Australia
• Transfer to your placement
• Insurance
• Quarantine/testing requirements (if applicable) 

Application Review, Interviewing & Placement

• While AIFS will endeavour to secure you a placement, your placement is not guaranteed. Placements will depend upon your application, experience and available jobs at the time of your application.
• Interviewing and placements typically occur from June to November.
• Most employment will commence from the last week of November or the first week of December and will conclude at the end of March. Applicants who wish to start at a later date or finish earlier will only be accepted onto the Program if AIFS has confirmed that these dates can be offered.
• Most Winter Work Japan jobs are located at resort locations on the island of Hokkaido and in the areas of Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Jōetsu and Myoko Kogen. Applicants can nominate location and job type preferences however AIFS cannot guarantee the location nor the position. Work will be offered according to availability, the applicant’s experience, and the time of year that the applicant applies to the Program.
• You will be contacted by either AIFS or the employer to request an interview for a position. Failure to respond within 48 hours is grounds for cancellation of your application with no refund payable.
• Your contract will include a work placement, subsidised accommodation, and a lift pass. Some contracts may also include meal allowances or access to subsidised meals at the resort’s canteen. It is your responsibility to read your contract carefully and understand any related costs outlined in your contract. These may include your contribution to the cost of your accommodation, a holding deposit for your lift pass and other placement related costs.
• Employment contracts are non-negotiable. Position descriptions and employment criteria including start/end dates, remuneration, work hours, accommodation costs and all other inclusions are non-negotiable.
• While AIFS assists with matching applicants to employers, it is ultimately your responsibility to assess the suitability of the employment offered to you.
• Offers are communicated via email.  You are required to respond within 48 hours to accept your offer.
• Resorts may require police checks or fingerprinting as a requirement of your employment. 

On Program Participation & Support

• AIFS does not own, manage or control resorts and cannot be held liable for actions by resort management or employees.
• If issues arise with your employer, you must contact AIFS in-country support immediately.
• If fired or withdrawing, you will be responsible for the costs of your return travel. 

Warranty and Dispute Resolution

• There is no warranty as to the satisfaction or compatibility of any candidate as an Applicant for a particular Employer. Where a dispute arises, the parties must use reasonable endeavours to resolve any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, relating to or in connection with these Terms through negotiation between them.
• This clause shall survive termination of the Program and these Terms. 

Requesting a Rematch

• Rematches are not guaranteed and are subject to employer feedback and availability.
• You must cover your own living expenses during rematch.
• If you fail to maintain daily contact with AIFS during the rematch period, your application will be cancelled. 

Indemnity & Liability

• You agree to indemnify AIFS, its affiliates, and agents for losses resulting from your participation.
• You release AIFS from liability for events outside its control (e.g. natural disasters, acts of war, pandemics). 

Force Majeure

• If your placement is cancelled due to Force Majeure, AIFS will endeavour to find another placement however AIFS will not be liable for refunds or any compensation to you.
• Force Majeure includes but is not limited to natural disasters, acts of government or authorities, war or the threat of war, pandemics, acts of terrorism, airline strikes or any other major event which is out of the control of AIFS. 

Privacy Consent

• You understand that your application to the Program requires you to disclose sensitive and personal information which AIFS will forward to prospective employers in an effort to obtain a placement on the Program.
• In the unlikely event of a legal claim, lawsuit or arrest in connection with your participation in the Program, it may be necessary to provide your application to attorneys or insurers, if AIFS receives a valid court order or subpoena, to whatever entity is determined to have a legal right to obtain this information.
• The AIFS Privacy Policy provides that your personal information will not be disclosed to any other parties unless you are given notice and an opportunity to object.
• AIFS takes reasonable precautions to protect personal information from loss, misuse and unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration and destruction. By completing and submitting this application, you are authorising AIFS to disseminate the information that is contained in your application in the manner and for the purposes set forth above. You understand that you may revoke this consent at any time, and you can request access to your personal information by sending a written request to AIFS. By clicking here, you agree to the Terms and Conditions*
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