Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme UK

Eligibility Criteria

Though the JET Programme is run globally, each country processes the applications of its own citizens. The following eligibility list covers the most essential requirements for an application to the UK JET Programme and is specific to UK applicants. For further questions concerning eligibility, please view the website’s FAQ section. To apply through the UK JET Programme, all applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

Citizenship

  • Be a citizen of the United Kingdom by the application deadline and hold a full UK passport. 
    • Those who possess dual citizenship with Japan and the UK must renounce their Japanese citizenship when offered a position on the JET Programme. Applicants who have dual citizenship in two countries (other than Japan) may only apply in one of those countries.
    • If you are a permanent resident of the UK (living in the UK but not a UK citizen) you are not eligible to apply for the JET Programme in the UK. Please contact the Embassy of Japan of your home country to find out if the JET Programme or a similar programme is available. This includes EU applicants with 'settled status'.

Education

  • Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (in any subject) by the designated date prior to departure.

English Ability

  • Have a native level of English with excellent grammar, written, and spoken skills.

UK Cultural Knowledge

  • Have an excellent knowledge of the UK (politics, history, culture etc).

Interest in Japan 

  • Be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after their arrival.
  • Be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the local community, as well as make an effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan.
  • Have an interest in maintaining relations with Japan, even after completion of the Programme.

Japanese Language Ability (CIRs) 

  • (CIR only) Have a strong, business-level, functional command of the Japanese language (ability equivalent to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N1 or N2. CIR applicants are not required to have passed the actual JLPT N1 or N2 level exam, but should have language ability sufficient to do so.).
  • (ALT and SEA applicants) Be interested in learning the Japanese language, although prior knowledge of Japanese is not a mandatory requirement for the ALT and SEA positions. 

Other Criteria

  • Be both mentally and physically fit to work in Japan for a minimum of 1 year.
  • Have the ability to adapt to living and working conditions in Japan, which could be significantly different from those experienced in the applicant’s home country, and be able to responsibly complete the term of appointment.
  • Not have lived in Japan for a total of six (6) or more years in the past ten (10) years prior to the year of departure.
  • Not have declined a position with the JET Programme in the last programme year after receiving notification of placement.
  • (Previous JETs only) Not have participated in the Programme three years prior to the departure year and not have participated on the Programme for six (6) years or more in total. For the 2026 Programme, applicants should not have participated on the Programme since the 2023 JET Programme year (inclusive of March 2023 Arrivals).