Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme UK

Required Documents

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that each supporting document meets the brief outlined on their respective pages. Applications submitted with documents that do not meet the specification or are missing any of the required documents listed below cannot be considered. Please keep all your original documents in case they are required at a later date.

Please note that all costs for obtaining, compiling, and submitting the necessary documents are to be borne by the candidate.

Please ensure to use the 2026 version of each document. Any document submitted using an out of date version will not be accepted.

Uploading Your Documents

Required Documents
You will be prompted to upload your documents once you have completed the initial application form. All the necessary files must be submitted by the application deadline. You will not be able to add any additional files after the deadline has passed - this includes references.

Points to consider when uploading your documents:

  • All documents must be in PDF format. Physical documents should be converted into PDFs by use of a scanner. There are many apps that allow you to scan with a smartphone. Blurry or illegible documents will not be considered.
  • Applicants must upload their documents one by one, ensuring that the correct document is uploaded to the correct section. You can only submit one file per field.
  • It is the applicant's responsibility to preview each document before submitting to ensure that it is legible.

Document Specifications 
Acceptable file type: PDF
File size: maximum file size 2000KB per file.

Documentation Outline

Please refer to the table below for a list of documents that you may need to upload to support your application. Check carefully whether or not you need to upload each document to your online account.

Please scroll down for detailed information and links.

Core: Conditional: Supplementary:
  1. Application Form
  2. Personal Statement
  3. Academic Transcript
  4. Proof of Degree
  5. Proof of Nationality
  6. Reference 1
  7. Reference 2
  1. Statement of Physician
  2. ICPC
  3. Overseas Criminal Records Check
  4. Certificate of Health
  1. Japanese Language Certificate
  2. Teaching Licence
  3. TEFL Certificate

Conditional Documents - You may need the following:

At time of application, all applicants must check if they require the following documents. Click the links for more information.

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1. Statement of Physician

You will need a Statement of Physician, signed by your doctor, if you:

  • Have received any medical treatment or prescriptions from a doctor in the past five years
  • Have a long-term or recurring condition
  • Have previously been treated for any nervous or mental conditions (including consultations)
  • Declare any medical condition on the Self-Assessment Medical Report (as part of the application form)
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2. ICPC

You will need an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) at time of application if you:

  • Have a previous or current criminal record
  • Are applying for Early Departure

All other applicants will be asked to provide an ICPC if successful at interview.
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3. Overseas Criminal Records Check

You will need overseas criminal record documentation if you:

  • Have lived in another country for twelve months

 
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4. Certificate of Health

You will need a Certificate of Health at time of application if you:

  • Are applying for Early Departure

All other applicants will be asked to provide a Certificate of Health if successful at interview.

 

Core Documents - For all applicants:

All applicants will need to provide the following documents. Missing documents will result in automatic disqualification. Click the links for more information.

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1. Application Form

This is your automatically-generated PDF that you get once you have completed the initial online application form. It will automatically be attached to your account. There is no need for you to upload it. It consists of two parts:
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2. Personal Statement

You will need to provide a personal statement of between 800 and 1000 words explaining your suitability and motivation for applying for the UK JET Programme.
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3. Academic Transcript

You will need to submit an official transcript showing all modules taken at university. If you have multiple degrees, please submit one for each degree.

Final-year university students must ask their university to include their ongoing final-year modules. You should specifically state this when requesting the document.

If you are unable to obtain a transcript with your final year modules, you may submit your existing official transcript alongside a signed letter, from your university, which outlines your final year modules. The letter should be provided by a personal tutor, school administrator, or other relevant university staff member.
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4. Proof of Degree

You will need to provide proof of degree, or proof that you will obtain your degree before departing (final-year students).

Graduates will need to provide colour scans of their graduation certificates. If you have multiple degrees, please submit all certificates.

Final-year university students will need to provide a letter from their university indicating that they will graduate before leaving for Japan.
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5. Proof of Nationality

All applicants are required to submit a double-page colour scan of their current UK passport as proof of their British Citizenship. If you do not hold one, you will need to apply for one before applying to the JET Programme.
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6. Two Letters of Reference

You will need to ask two referees to supply us with character references. They should be supplied to us directly by your referees and should remain confidential.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that referees follow the formatting guidelines and submit the letters by the deadline.

Supplementary Documents:

If you would like them to be credited as part of your application, you may submit the following documents. 

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1. Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Certificate

If you have passed the JLPT at any level, please upload the certificate to your application.
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2. TEFL Certificate

If you have completed a TEFL/TESOL or equivalent course (CELTA included) of at least 120 hours, please upload proof to your application.
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3. Teaching Licence 

If applicable, you should upload proof of your teaching licence to your application (PGCE/QTS, etc.).

Submission

All applications and their supporting documents, including reference letters, must be submitted online through the Application Portal by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

 

Application Tips

Take a look at our short guides for tips on completing a successful application!