Application & Departure Process
Aspiring JETs
Application & Departure Timeline
The timeline and procedures for the JET Programme can vary from year to year and are subject to change. When a new cycle is started, announcements are made on this website and the JET Programme Canada social media accounts. Future applicants can also sign up here to receive a notice when the new cycle begins.
When a cycle begins, it is important to check the Online Application Portal for the new guidelines and specifications.
Application & Departure Timeline
The timeline and procedures for the JET Programme can vary from year to year and are subject to change. When a new cycle is started, announcements are made on this website and the JET Programme Canada social media accounts. Future applicants can also sign up here to receive a notice when the new cycle begins.
When a cycle begins, it is important to check the Online Application Portal for the new guidelines and specifications.
September
Mid-November
January
Late January - Mid February
Late March - Early April
May
June - July
End of July - Early August
Application Portal Opens
Application Portal Closes
Application Results are Released
Interviews
Interview Results are Released
Placements are Released
Orientation and Training Sessions
Departure for Japan
Application Process
The JET Programme application period opens once a year for approximately 2 months in the fall (usually September to mid November). The application process is managed by the National JET Desk at the Embassy of Japan in Canada (in Ottawa). All applications must be submitted during this time through the Online Application Portal. After the submission deadline, applications are checked for completion and then assessed. If any follow-up is required, applicants are contacted by the National JET Desk through the Online Portal’s JET Inbox. In January, applicants receive a notification regarding whether an interview has or has not been granted.
Interviews are usually held in late January or early February. Interviews are arranged and conducted by the Regional JET Desks. The dates are chosen by each Regional JET Desk for the interview location. All candidates are required to interview in person at their chosen location. Remote interviews or interviews at different locations cannot be accommodated. After completing the interview stage, The Regional JET Desks send out the final results in early to mid-April.
In Canada, there are five Regional JET Desks in charge of eight interview/departure locations. The JET Desks are as follows, the Ottawa JET Desk, Montreal JET Desk, Toronto JET Desk, Calgary JET Desk, and Vancouver JET Desk. The interview and departure locations for Canada are Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax (under the jurisdiction of Montreal), St. Johns (under the jurisdiction of Montreal), Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg (under the jurisdiction of Calgary), and Vancouver.
Departure
On the application, applicants are asked to choose an interview location. In principle, the interview location will also be the candidate’s departure location if they are selected to participate. It is possible to interview at one location and depart from another, but those who wish to do so must request to transfer. When candidates receive their successful notification, they must submit a Reply Form to accept their offer to be a participant, and can ask to transfer to a different departure location at that time.
Early Departure
Candidates who are willing and able to depart on a faster schedule may request to be considered for Early Departure. Early Departure candidates may leave in April of their departure year (April Arrival) or prior to the Summer Departure (Early Arrival) rather than the summer (Summer Departure). Candidates who request consideration for Early Departure on their application must submit additional documentation during the initial application stage. Acceptance notifications for Early Departure (April Arrival) candidates are sent in March of the departure year. This means that Early Departure candidates will only have a few weeks to prepare before they depart for Japan. There can be additional Early Departure (Early Arrival) selections between April and Summer Departure.
Very few Early Departure positions open up each year, so the majority of Early Departure hopefuls are not chosen to depart in April. Candidates who are not chosen for Early Departure will still be considered for a position in the summer departure group. If a candidate is selected for the Summer Departure group rather than the Early Departure group, they will receive their acceptance notification in early April. Early Departure candidates are only given results in advance if they are specifically selected for an April or Early Arrival.
Training and Orientation
During the months before departure, JET Desks, in conjunction with local JETAA chapters, host various information sessions, orientation events, and get togethers. These sessions give new JETs opportunities to speak with experienced alumni who can provide advice on preparing for departure, life in Japan, and duties as CIRs/ALTs. New JETs are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible and some sessions may be mandatory.
Summer Departure
Unless otherwise specified, all JET Programme applicants apply to depart in the summer. Candidates who only wish to apply for summer departure do not need to prepare a Certificate of Health or Criminal Record Check during the initial application stage. The deadline for when summer departure candidates must have their degree is typically in late summer.
Approximately a month before departure, JET Desks will help coordinate the visa application process. New JETs will have to submit their passport with their visa application. At the final departure orientation, usually the day before departure, new JETs receive their passports and review the departure procedure.
*Candidates who indicate a criminal background on their application are required to provide a Criminal Record Check during the initial application stage.
Note: The procedures and guidelines listed on this site are based on those of previous years. These can change from year to year, so it is important to read through the new guidelines and procedures that are released with each application cycle.
Application Process
The JET Programme application is open once a year for approximately 2 months in the fall (usually September to mid November). All applications must be submitted during this time through the Online Application Portal. After the submission deadline, applications are checked for completion and then assessed. If any follow-up is required, applicants are contacted through the portal’s JET Inbox. In January, applicants receive a notification regarding whether an interview has or has not been granted.
Interviews are usually held in late January or early February. The dates are chosen by each interview location. All candidates are required to interview in person at their chosen location. Remote interviews or interviews at different locations cannot be accommodated. After completing the interview stage, the final results are sent out in late March to mid April.
Departure
On the application, applicants are asked to choose an interview location. In principle, the interview location will also be the candidate’s departure location if they are selected to participate. It is possible to interview at one location and depart from another, but those who wish to do so must request to transfer. When candidates receive their successful notification, they must submit a Reply Form to accept their offer to be a participant, and can ask to transfer to a different departure location.
Early Departure
Candidates who are willing and able to depart on a faster schedule may request to be considered for Early Departure. Early Departure candidates may leave in April of their departure year (April Arrival) or prior to the Summer Departure (Early Arrival) rather than the summer (Summer Departure). Candidates who request consideration for Early Departure on their application must submit additional documentation during the initial application stage. Acceptance notifications for Early Departure (April Arrival) candidates are sent in March of the departure year. This means that Early Departure candidates will only have a few weeks to prepare before they depart for Japan. There can be additional Early Departure (Early Arrival) selections between April and Summer Departure.
Very few Early Departure positions open up each year, so the majority of Early Departure hopefuls are not chosen to depart in April. Candidates who are not chosen for Early Departure will still be considered for a position in the summer departure group. If a candidate is selected for the Summer Departure group rather than the Early Departure group, they will receive their acceptance notification in early April. Early Departure candidates are only given results in advance if they are specifically selected for an April or Early Arrival.
Training and Orientation
During the months before departure, JET Desks, in conjunction with local JETAA chapters, host various information sessions, orientation events, and get togethers. These sessions give new JETs opportunities to speak with experienced alumni who can provide advice on preparing for departure, life in Japan, and duties as CIRs/ALTs. New JETs are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible and some sessions may be mandatory.
Summer Departure
Unless otherwise specified, all JET Program applicants apply to depart in the summer. Candidates who only wish to apply for summer departure do not need to prepare a Certificate of Health or Criminal Record Check during the initial application stage. The deadline for when summer departure candidates must have their degree is typically in late summer.
Approximately a month before departure, JET Desks will help coordinate the visa application process. New JETs will have to submit their passport with their visa application. At the final departure orientation, usually the day before departure, new JETs receive their passports and review the departure procedure.
*Candidates who indicate a criminal background on their application are required to provide a Criminal Record Check during the initial application stage.
Note: The procedures and guidelines listed on this site are based on those of previous years. These can change from year to year, so it is important to read through the new guidelines and procedures that are released with each application cycle.