FAQ

If you have dual citizenship with the UK and another participating country in the JET Programme, you can only apply through one of these countries at any given intake year. Automatic disqualification will be applied should the same applicant apply through more than one country.

To apply through the UK JET Programme, applicants must be a British citizen holding a full UK Passport. However, you may still be able to participate on the JET Programme if you are a citizen of another participating country.

Please note that the number of participating countries varies from year to year. Any queries regarding the application process for other countries should be directed to the relevant embassy or consulate general of Japan.

Those who hold dual nationality with Japan must renounce Japanese citizenship if their application is successful, as you will be ineligible for the JET visa if you hold Japanese nationality. 

All applicants are required to hold at least a Bachelor's degree (in any subject) by the time of departure to Japan. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made to this requirement.

The JET Programme accepts any type of Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university (including The Open University).

Not at all, the JET Programme warmly welcomes applicants from all universities and all fields of study.

Please note that it will not be possible for you to return to the UK to complete your studies during your tenure on the JET Programme. As such, it would be best to wait until you have completed your Master’s degree before applying.

You are welcome to apply with an integrated Scottish degree provided that you have completed, or will complete, an undergraduate level degree by the departure date. Please submit a copy of your Acadmic Transcripts in full showing all modules undertaken as well as either your completed Degree Certificate or Proof of Degree from your university. As an MA degree from Scotland equates to an undergraduate level and not a postgraduate level, please upload your documents to the corresponding undergraduate slots on the upload portal at the time of application. 

If you have completed an integrated degree and hold both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree, then you are welcome to upload your proof to both the undergraduate and postgraduate slots on the upload portal for both your Academic Transcript and Degree Certificate.

Although beneficial, having a TEFL qualification is not a requirement as long as you have an interest in teaching and working with young people.

While we are unable to recommend specific TEFL courses, we accept TEFL certificates that are at least 120 hours (completed online or in person).

Having a TEFL certificate is not a requirement to apply for the Programme. However, we accept TEFL certificates that are at least 120 hours (completed online or in person).

All TEFL certificates for completed TEFL courses (of 120 hours or more) must be submitted by the application deadline. We cannot accept certificates completed after the deadline nor can we accept proof of courses currently being undertaken that are not yet completed. However, you are still welcome to discuss your TEFL or equivalent studies on your Application Form. 

Applicants for the ALT position are not required to have any previous knowledge of Japanese. However, successful applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate an interest in Japanese language learning – this will help them gain the most from their time on the programme. Please be aware that CIR applicants must have a high level of Japanese language ability at the time of application.

Applicants for the CIR position must have a high level of written and spoken Japanese, equivalent to at least level 2 (N2) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Most CIR applicants have studied Japanese at university for a minimum of two years, including a period of study in Japan. Please note that interviews for CIR applicants will be conducted entirely in Japanese.

Even if you already speak Japanese, you may find that you prefer working in a classroom to being in an office environment. While CIRs must demonstrate strong Japanese skills, the salary for ALTs and CIRs is the same, so we advise you to base your decision on which role you would most like to work in. Please check the Positions section of our website for additional information.

A criminal record will not necessarily disqualify you. However, it is advisable to ensure that you disclose any criminal records that may show on your criminal background check and submit an ICPC at the time of application. You are welcome to attach an additional letter to explain the situation. Our Tokyo Head Office will consider the submitted information when making an assessment on your application to the JET Programme.

The JET Programme requires the ICPC from all applicants to fufil the criminal records check and unfortunately cannot accept other UK criminal background checks such as the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in place of the ICPC.

People with a wide variety of medical conditions have been accepted on to the Programme. Applications are judged on their individual merit. Providing that your doctor believes you are fit to live and work in Japan, your medical condition should not preclude you from participating. It is important that you disclose all relevant information on the Self-Assessment Medical Report and provide a Statement of Physician if necessary. This information will aid in allocating your placement, and serve as your medical record should any emergencies arise in Japan.

JET participants are placed and employed by a contracting organisation throughout Japan, including remote areas where healthcare provisions are relatively limited. Any ongoing health conditions may need to be taken into account to ensure that you are placed in a suitable area. Furthermore, your contracting organisation may need access to your medical information, should any emergencies arise during your time in Japan.

There is no age limit for UK JET Programme applicants. If you understand the goals of the JET Programme and feel that you have the ability to accomplish these goals, please feel free to apply.

The Japanese Government will be able to arrange visas for direct dependants, which are defined as spouses (as recognised by Japanese law) and children only. Further information will be given to successful candidates with dependants at a later date. Please note that financial responsibilities for flights, living costs etc. are borne by the participant. Please ensure that the names of your family members and their relationship to you are stated within your application.

In Japan, attitudes towards tattoos are different to those in the UK and applicants are encouraged to conduct their own research in order to gain a better understanding. Please note that as public servants, JET participants would be expected to remove any visible piercings (except for small earrings) and keep any tattoos covered during working hours.

As long as you are British Citizen, you may apply to the UK JET Programme regardless of your country of residence.

Applicants applying from outside the UK are expected to follow the same deadline as those who are applying within the UK. Please allow an ample amount of time for the necessary documents to reach us for each stage of the application process. Furthermore, should your application advance to the interview stage, you must attend your interview in person at either the Embassy of Japan in London or the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh. 

You can apply for both; however, please bear in mind that JET is an employment and teaching scheme, and MEXT is an education scholarship, so the two are different from one another. Applicants are advised to gain a precise understanding of the criteria of each programme and consider their options carefully.

Please follow the instructions and deadlines given by the JET Office in the country from where you are applying, as there may be slight differences in application processing by each office.

For the UK applicants, please follow the instructions written on our website or given directly by the UK JET Programme Office. Please be aware that information on social media or forums may be outdated and given by unofficial resources.

There is no single type of person who does well on the programme and we have accepted applicants from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. We do ask that you are committed to the Programme’s goals and willing to act as a cultural ambassador for the UK. ALT applicants in particular will be expected to demonstrate an interest in teaching and working with young people.

All applicants must complete and submit an online application form. This will usually be available through our homepage in October (some years it will be available from late September). Please see the ‘How to Apply’ section for a full list of the required documents.

Unsolicited CVs and speculative applications are not accepted.

No, your application pack must be submitted by the application deadline. This information is available on our homepage. The precise deadline can also be found in the Application Guidelines.

Please keep in mind that JET is an international programme with over 40 participating countries. Each year, the numerous embassies and consulates around the world must process thousands of applications before selecting a limited number of participants for the final shortlist. Prospective applicants should consider whether they are able to commit to this process before submitting their application.

You may only apply for one type of position during a single application year. However, CIR candidates may state whether they would be happy to be considered as ALT if they are deemed more suitable for this role at the interview stage.

You are more than welcome to reapply to the JET Programme (2024-2025) as long as you fulfil the following criteria in principle. Please note that this information is subject to change:

• You have not participated on the Programme since March 2022 and have not participated for more than 6 years in total.
• You have not declined the offer of a position on the programme after placement allocation within the last year.
• You have not lived in Japan for six or more years in total.

Please note that we are unable to provide any feedback on your previous application. If you wish to reapply, you will need to submit a new application once the next application period opens.

Couples who are both committed to the aims of the programme are more than welcome to apply. However, they must do so individually. Please bear in mind that each application will be judged on its own merits and the success of one partner does not guarantee that the other will also be accepted.

Many of our applicants have previous experience of living in Japan. However, please note that you will be ineligible to apply for JET if you have lived in Japan for more than six years (cumulative) over the last ten years. 

Please read through our website carefully to confirm your eligibility and to familiarise yourself with the application process. We recommend that applicants contact their referees and start preparing their supporting documents from September as it may take some time to obtain them.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to choose their own referees in accordance with our criteria. Please ensure that your referees are familiar with the requirements provided on our website. They are welcome to contact us if they have any questions.

You are welcome to include any relevant experience such special needs assistance, sports coaching, supervising after school clubs etc. Please be clear about the length and type of experience that you have.

Please feel free to mention any activities which you consider relevant to your application. We are especially interested to hear about any activities which demonstrate an interest in other cultures or nurturing young people.

All sections of your Certificate of Health need to be filled in and signed by your doctor to confirm your suitability for participating on the JET Programme. This form should also be consistent with all medical information disclosed in other forms, such as a Statement of Physician given at the time of application.

Please ensure that all the fields on the Certificate of Health are completed by your doctor, including the result of your TB test. Any missing information can delay your application process.

Candidates are required to get a valid tuberculosis test and in most cases, this would be an x-ray of the applicant's lungs (there must also be a doctor's report, simply taking an x-ray would not be adequate). If an x-ray is not an option, a tuberculin test or PPD skin test, or blood test with a doctor's report can also be accepted. If you are unsure if your offered test is acceptable, contact the UK JET Office. Candidates are only required to submit one form of TB test.

The UK JET Office is unable to confirm the receipt of documents to individual candidates. We will directly contact candidates in cases relating to missing or incomplete documents. You can confirm the upload of your documents after finalising your application under the 'documents' tab. No confirmation email will be sent after finalising, you are redirected to the initial page upon submission of your first application file (the email that gives instructions about the application procedure and documents to upload).

Please bear in mind that finalising an incomplete application would be the same as sending a paper application that is missing all the required documents. You can access your application portal here: https://app.jet-uk.org

You are required to write your personal statement as an essay with structured paragraphs. Please consult the questions listed on the Personal Statement for guidance on what content should be included within your statement.

Applicants are not required to submit either of these documents as part of their application. Applicants are only required to submit these documents by the deadline if you are applying for Early Departure and any associated costs are to be borne by the applicant. Additionally, you will be required to obtain and submit an ICPC as part of your application if you have any criminal record or history. 

JET participants are placed where they are needed throughout Japan. Though it is not a guarantee, married couples (recognised under Japanese judiciary) are given the priority to be placed near each other. Unmarried couples are welcome to put each other’s name on their application indicating that they’re together, but there is no guarantee that they’ll be placed together. 

Our Tokyo Head Office has the full authority of placing candidates based on their applications and position availability.

Placements are allocated to JET candidates depending on the availability of positions throughout Japan and the needs of schools and contracting organisations. Placement requests are therefore not guaranteed and candidates should expect to be placed anywhere within the country.

JET Participants are placed in schools wherever their skills are required and may find themselves teaching at any level from elementary to high school level. If you have experience teaching a particular age group, please ensure that you mention this in your application.

Early Departure Applicants may depart for Japan anytime between April of the departure year and the Summer Departure Date as scheduled. There is no fixed date for Early Departure and the date may be announced at short notice. Early Departure Applicants must be prepared to depart on short notice. 

In addition to the Required Documents, Early Departure Applicants must also obtain and submit an ICPC and Certificate of Health by the application deadline. Please note that without these documents, Tokyo cannot consider you for Early Departure. Should you apply for Early Departure and not submit these documents by the deadline, you will not be considered for Early Departure.

Even if you are successul at application and interview, there is no guarantee of an early departure. Early Departure spaces are limited and are subject to availability for that year's intake. Should you not be eligible for Early Departure, or should no Early Departure spaces be available, you will be considered for the Summer Departure as normal. 

The skills and experience gained from living and working in Japan are invaluable and former JET participants can be found working in every field. All returning participants are invited to join the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) which hosts a returnees’ career conference each year. You will also have access to the JETAA job’s board which regularly advertises positions from employers specifically looking to recruit former JETs.

Precise working hours vary between different contracting organisations, but as a general rule you will be expected to work from 8am until 4pm. ALTs typically teach 3-4 periods per day, lasting 45-50 minutes. Time between lessons is often spent in the staff room, preparing lesson plans and making study materials. JETs may also be expected to help with after-school clubs and other extracurricular activities, including occasional weekend events.

ALTs usually teach in Senior High or a combination of Junior High and Elementary schools. Some ALTs may also have the opportunity to visit a local nursery school.
Elementary School: 6 - 12 years old.
Junior High: 12 - 15 years old.
Senior High: 15 - 18 years old.

This depends on the class and your relationship with the Japanese Teacher of English (JTE). As assistants, ALTs are generally expected to follow the JTEs lead and help by generating teaching ideas and making classroom materials. Discipline is the JTE’s responsibility and ALTs may help by keeping the class focussed. Should you have any concerns about discipline, it may be best to address them with your JTE outside the classroom.

Holiday entitlement is detailed in the JET’s individual contract, but JET participants typically receive between 10 and 20 days of annual leave per year. In addition, Japan has 16 national holidays which are observed throughout the country. JETs are advised to be sensitive when arranging annual leave and to avoid clashing with any events that they may be required to attend. Please note that teachers in Japan are usually expected to work during the school holidays, but this may be the best time for JETs to take their annual leave.

In a minority of cases, candidates may request to be transferred to a different contracting organisation. However, please note that this is extremely rare and only possible in exceptional circumstances. All participants should assume that they will be staying with the same contracting organisation throughout their time on the JET Programme.

This depends on prefectural policy and may not be possible in all cases. If a position does become available, you may need to go through an interview process and there is no guarantee of acceptance. In order to avoid disappointment, you should depart for Japan with the mind-set that you will be an ALT for the duration of your contract.

Participants are advised to think carefully before breaking contract in order to avoid causing unnecessary disruption for their students and colleagues. Those who return to the UK before completing their one-year contract will be responsible for their own travel arrangements. Help may be provided in exceptional circumstances such as when a JET returns home due to recent bereavement. Please also be aware that you may be held liable for your airfare to Japan if you withdraw from JET after receiving your placement notification.

The JET Programme welcomes applicants from all ethnic backgrounds and aims to reflect the diversity of Britain. Japan is known as a homogenous society and the students will be especially interested in JETs from ethnic minorities. Learning about your background will help to increase their understanding of other countries, furthering the Programme’s aim of promoting grass-roots cultural exchange.

All Participants on the UK JET Programme are directly employed by their Contracting Organisation and not by the Programme itself. Your Contracting Organisation is responsible for providing you with your contract as well as assisting with all matters relating to your immediate work and life in Japan. 

Support for JET participants is comprehensive upon arrival. You will have a supervisor who will help you with accommodation, utilities and banking. There will also be a network of JETs in your area to lend their support. However, please remember that it is important to be proactive in meeting people. Learning as much Japanese as possible will also help you to integrate into the local community.

In most cases, accommodation will be arranged by your contracting organisation before you arrive. Alternatively, your supervisor will assist you with setting up your life in Japan including accommodation arrangements. If necessary, a home-stay or hotel will be arranged for you as temporary accommodation. If you are a successful applicant, please liaise with your contracting organisation concerning accommodation matters, as the UK JET Office is not involved in these arrangements.

All participants are enrolled on a distance-learning Japanese language course with CLAIR, but there will likely be options to learn Japanese locally. Speed of language acquisition obviously varies between different individuals but most JETs return home with a sufficient command of Japanese for everyday life. JETs are encouraged to devote as much time as possible to improving their Japanese language ability and to find a method of learning which works for them.

There are many ways to get involved in your local community. Popular activities among JETs include taking part in local festivals, volunteering and learning traditional Japanese arts such as Ikebana, Taiko or Karate. Local clubs and community groups are usually very receptive towards JETs, but you will need to be proactive in seeking out opportunities.

Japanese society is generally acceptant towards the LGBTQIA+ community and there are a number of local charities and special interest groups which can offer support for JET Participants. Sexuality is seen as a private matter in Japan and participants should use their own discretion in deciding how to approach it with friends and colleagues. One issue to consider is that same-sex marriage has yet to be recognised on a national level and dependent visas cannot be arranged for same-sex spouses/civil partners. LGBTQIA+ JETs may therefore wish to consider other options for bringing their partner to Japan.

If you already have a full UK driving licence, you may apply for an International Driving Permit from the AA, RAC or Post Office. You will need to do so before the Pre-Departure Orientation in July. After one year, you will need to convert to a Japanese driving licence.

New drivers must be aware that it will not be possible for them to convert to a Japanese driving licence if they have less than three months’ driving history in the issuing country. It will still be possible to apply for the International Driving Permit, but once the Permit expires they would be required to re-test for a Japanese license.

This will be taken into account when allocating your placement. In general, JETs placed in rural areas are more likely to need a car. However, lack of a driving licence will not hinder your chances of acceptance and the majority of JETs find that they do not need to drive. Japan has extensive public transport links and it is easy to get around the country without a car.

The UK JET Office does not have the expertise to advise participants on these matters. Please contact the relevant authorities in the UK such as His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Student Loans Company.