Eligibility Criteria

All JET Programme applicants must:

    • Be interested in Japan, and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after their arrival. Make an effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan. Be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the local community.
    • Be both mentally and physically able to handle the demands of work and life in a foreign culture.
    • Have the ability to adapt to living and working in Japan.
    • Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or obtain such qualifications (ALTs may alternatively hold a certification of completion of a three-year course to teach primary/elementary or secondary schools) by the designated departure date (July 28, 2012 for Group A/B, April 10 for April arrival applicants, or the designated date for applicants arriving before Group A/B but after April).
    • Be a Canadian citizen (not just a permanent resident) at the time of application. Those who possess dual nationality with Japan must renounce their Japanese nationality before accepting a position on the JET Programme in April, 2012. The process can take up to 2 months. Please be aware that Japanese citizenship is not automatically revoked at age 21 for those with dual nationality with Japan. It is necessary to submit the appropriate forms to initiate this process. Please contact the visa section at the Embassy of Japan or at the closest Consulate General of Japan at the time of your application to ensure you are familiar with all the relevant procedures. Applicants who have dual nationality with two participating countries may only apply in one country. 
      *NOTE: If you are not a Canadian citizen, please check www.jetprogramme.org to see if your country of nationality participates in the JET Programme and how you can apply in your country.
    • Be adept in contemporary standard pronunciation, rhythm and intonation in English and possess excellent language ability that can be applied accurately and appropriately; have ability to compose sentences logically.

Not have participated in the JET Programme since 2010-2011 (inclusive of April 2010 arrivals) and for more than five years in total.

  • Not have declined a position in the JET Programme after receiving notification of placement in the last JET Programme year (exceptions may be made in cases where the participant had a valid, inevitable reason for withdrawing).
  • Not have lived in Japan for 6 or more years in total since 2003.
  • Have a desire to proactively maintain relations with Japan, even after completion of the Programme.
  • In the case of entry into Japan for participation in the JET Programme, agree to reside in Japan under the status of residence stipulated in Article 2-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act;
  • Obey all Japanese laws.
  • Applicants with a suspended jail term must have finished their period of probation by the time they submit their application form.

In addition to above, ALT applicants must:

  • Be interested in the Japanese educational system and particularly in the Japanese way of teaching foreign languages.
  • Be interested in working actively with children.
  • Be qualified as a language teacher or be strongly motivated to take part in teaching of foreign languages.

Additional evaluation points will be given to applicants who:

  • Have language teaching experience or qualification
  • Have teaching experience or qualification
  • Have a high level of Japanese ability

 In addition to above, CIR applicants must:

  • Have a functional command of the Japanese language (sufficient to perform duties and interact with others fluently in a Japanese office environment);
Successful candidates may be disqualified from the programme without warning under the following circumstances:
  • The candidate engages in conduct which is considered to be unsuitable for a JET participant;
  • the candidate's application documents are found to contain false information (ie: a discrepancy between the Self-Assessment Medical Form and the Health Check Form completed by a physician);
  • Indications of criminal activity on the Criminal Record and Vulnerable sector check deemed unsuitable for participants on the JET Programme;
  • Documents such as the Reply Form (forwarded to successful candidates after the interviews) or the Health Form completed by an examining physician are not submitted by the deadline;
  • Candidates holding dual nationality with Japan who do not renounce their Japanese citizenship with Japan prior to submitting their reply form;
  • It becomes clear at a later date that the candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements due to some reason attributable to the candidate him or herself.
  • Disqualification from the Short or Alternate list can occur should any of the required documents not be submitted by the expected deadlines or should the Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check indicate that the applicant has had trouble with the law If you accept a position on the JET Programme the period between your notification of acceptance in April and your departure in late July will involve a considerable commitment to ensure attendance at orientation sessions, as well as the timely submission of various documents. You are strongly advised not to arrange extended periods of travel during this period.

Please be advised with regards to the recruitment and application procedures, the governing law will be Japanese law. The Tokyo District Court will be used for all legal matters.

Not able to apply to the JET Programme?

The following Government of Canada website provides comprehensive information on opportunities for working in Japan apart from JET.