Assistant Language Teacher
The main route. ALTs work with Japanese teachers in elementary, junior high or senior high schools, or with a local board of education. More than 90% of current participants are ALTs.
01 ยท The program
What is JET?
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme is backed by the Japanese government. It recruits people from overseas to work in schools and local government offices while taking part in community exchange.
Coordinator for International Relations
Local government and international exchange work. Applicants need functional Japanese, roughly JLPT N1 or N2 level.
Sports Exchange Advisor
A small, specialized route for people recruited to support international exchange through a particular sport.
Official references: Aspiring JETs and JET Program USA positions.
02 ยท Eligibility
Can I apply?
For most readers looking at the ALT route, the answer may be yes. Start with this checklist, then confirm your country's current rules.
A bachelor's degree or qualifying equivalent. International rules also allow a three-year or longer teacher-training qualification for ALT applicants.
Your subject can generally be anything. It does not have to be English, Japanese or education.
No teaching degree is required. Interest in language education and working with children still matters.
No previous teaching experience is required. Relevant experience can help in selection.
No TEFL or TESOL certificate is required. A certificate can still strengthen an application.
Japanese is not required for ALT. JET expects participants to make an effort to learn.
There is no general JET age limit. Applicants are judged on maturity, professionalism and adaptability.
Apply through your country of citizenship. Permanent residence in a country is not enough on its own.
Still finishing university?
University seniors can generally apply if the required degree will be officially conferred by their country's deadline. For U.S. 2027 applicants, that date is June 25, 2027.
The international eligibility page still labels its criteria for the 2025-2026 program year and warns that the next year can change. Check again when your 2027 country guidance is published: official JET eligibility.
03 ยท Your country
What countries can apply?
JET has participants from 53 countries in the 2026-2027 program year. There is no single global application. Eligibility and the process depend on your citizenship and the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for that country.
๐บ๐ธ United States๐จ๐ฆ Canada๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom๐ฆ๐บ Australia๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand๐ฎ๐ช Ireland๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa๐ต๐ญ Philippines๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
This is not the complete list. If your country is not listed by JET, you usually cannot submit a standard application unless a Japanese local government has specifically requested a participant from your country.
Find your country's official JET office โ04 ยท Timing
The 2027 timeline
This is the official rough U.S. timeline and a useful planning model for many countries. Your country's dates may differ.
September 2026
Applications expected to openExact U.S. date has not been announced.
November 2026
Applications expected to closeExact U.S. deadline has not been announced.
Late Jan to early Feb
InterviewsU.S. interviews for the 2027 cycle will be virtual.
April 2027
ResultsShortlist, alternate or unsuccessful result.
May 2027
Placement noticeYour contracting organization and location follow selection.
July to August
Main departures for Japan โ๏ธOrientation and preparation happen in June and July.
The 2027 U.S. application is not open yet.
As of September 9, 2026, JET USA still lists a September-to-November window without exact dates. The official portal is accepting signups for an email when applications open.
As of September 9, 2026, JET USA still lists a September-to-November window without exact dates. The official portal is accepting signups for an email when applications open.
05 ยท Selection
How competitive is it?
5,734current JET participants
53participating countries in 2026-2027
1,765first-year participants as of July 1, 2026
JET does not publish one universal acceptance rate. The applicant pool and available places vary by country and year, so any single percentage you see online can give a false sense of certainty. A better use of your time is to build a complete application that shows why you can work with people, adapt to a new community and contribute beyond the classroom.
Counts are from the official participant statistics dated July 1, 2026.
06 ยท The job
What do you actually do?
An ALT supports language education and takes part in cultural exchange. The exact day depends on the school and contracting organization.
๐ซ
Work in Japanese schools
Elementary, junior high, senior high or a board of education.
Elementary, junior high, senior high or a board of education.
๐ฉโ๐ซ
Assist Japanese teachers
Help plan and deliver foreign-language classes and activities.
Help plan and deliver foreign-language classes and activities.
๐
Take part in cultural exchange
School and community activities are part of the point.
School and community activities are part of the point.
๐
Possibly cover several schools
Some ALTs have one school; others travel between schools.
Some ALTs have one school; others travel between schools.
๐พ
Work wherever you are placed
JET positions exist from large cities to remote islands.
JET positions exist from large cities to remote islands.
This is a job.
JET is not study abroad and it is not a free trip. You are paid to fulfill a one-year appointment with a school, board of education or local government organization in Japan.
07 ยท Place
Where could you live?
Placements run across Japan. Most JETs are in rural or suburban areas, and only a limited number of urban placements are available.
๐City
๐Small city
๐พRural town
โฐMountain community
๐Island community
You can state preferences, but you do not choose your exact placement.
CLAIR matches selected applicants with contracting organizations. Changing placements after arrival is generally not possible except in a few special circumstances.
08 ยท Money
Pay, housing and benefits
JET participants are paid to work. The current official pre-tax remuneration schedule is below. Recheck the 2027 application guidelines when they publish in case the figures change.
First appointmentยฅ4.02Mper year, before tax
Second appointmentยฅ4.14Mper year, before tax
Third appointmentยฅ4.26Mper year, before tax
Fourth and fifthยฅ4.32Mfor approved reappointments
๐ Housing varies
In principle, you are responsible for your accommodation and should expect to pay rent. Some employers suggest housing or offer choices.
โ๏ธ Travel to Japan
Your contracting organization provides the flight to Japan. Return airfare has conditions, including completing the appointment.
๐ฅ Insurance
Participants are enrolled in health, pension and employment insurance, plus JET accident insurance. Participant contributions are deducted.
๐ด Taxes and deductions
Pay is before Japanese income and resident taxes. Your take-home amount and living costs depend on your placement.
Official references: salary, housing and airfare FAQ and insurance and taxes.
09 ยท The myths
What JET does not require
โA teaching degree
โPrevious teaching experience
โA Japanese degree
โJapanese fluency for ALT
โA TEFL or TESOL certificate
โPrevious life in Japan
Not required does not mean useless. Teaching experience, work with children, Japanese ability and evidence that you can adapt to unfamiliar situations can strengthen your application and make the first months in Japan easier.
10 ยท Your next move
How to apply
There is no single worldwide JET application. Choose the path that matches your citizenshipโthese links go directly to official JET or Japanese government sources.
๐บ๐ธ U.S. citizens
Use the official U.S. JET portal
The 2027 application is not open yet. Right now, the official portal lets you request an email when it opens. Once applications are live, this is where U.S. applicants create an account and submit everything.
Open the official U.S. portal โ Read the official U.S. instructions๐ Applicants outside the U.S.
Find the office for your citizenship
You apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your country of citizenship. That office sets your dates, required documents and submission method. Do not use the U.S. portal unless you are a U.S. citizen.
Find your official application office โ Check the official eligibility rulesWhat the process looks like
Check whether your country participates
Open your country's official JET application page
Read the current guidelines and gather every required document
Submit during your country's application window
Interview if shortlisted
Receive your result, then your placement if selected
Complete the required paperwork and prepare for Japan ๐ฏ๐ต
U.S. callout
For American applicants
๐บ๐ธ
Current U.S. 2027 requirements
CitizenshipYou must be a U.S. citizen by the application deadline.
Degree deadlineYour bachelor's degree must be officially conferred by June 25, 2027. Completing coursework alone is not enough.
EnglishThe U.S. program lists native-level English speaking proficiency.
Time previously in JapanYou must not have lived in Japan for six years or longer in total during the ten years before the 2027 departure year.
Current studentsSubmit official proof of expected graduation. If selected, you must later prove the degree was conferred.
InterviewsJET USA says 2027 interviews will be virtual.
Application status: The 2027 U.S. application is not open yet as of September 9, 2026. JET USA currently says September to November 2026; the official portal is accepting email-notification signups now.
Official links
Check the source
Dates and requirements can change. Use this guide to understand the route, then confirm everything with the official office for your country before you submit.
International application directory โFind the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for applications from your country.
Official U.S. application portal โGet notified now; create and submit your U.S. application here once the 2027 cycle opens.
International JET applicant hub โProgram overview, roles and application starting point.
International eligibility โCurrent global baseline and ALT/CIR criteria.
Participating countries โCurrent country list and participant statistics.
U.S. application timeline โOfficial 2027 timing and future date updates.
U.S. 2027 application FAQ โDegree deadline, citizenship and document details.
U.S. application instructions โPortal and document submission process.
Need help choosing your route?
Not sure which path into Japan fits you?
JET is one possible routeโnot the only one. If you want help comparing programs, understanding which options may fit your situation, or turning the idea of moving to Japan into a realistic plan, Settle Japan can help.
Get help from Settle Japan โTalk through the programs that may fit you and build a practical plan for your move.
Follow John of Japan โMore legitimate routes, places and practical Japan information.
Explore Earth Exhibit โTrack Japan's wildlife and seasonal natural phenomena once you are there.
Thinking farther ahead? Explore Japan property search support โ
This guide is general information, not an offer of employment, legal advice or immigration advice. JET requirements, dates, remuneration and benefits can change. Confirm every application decision with the official JET office for your country. John of Japan and Settle Japan are not affiliated with the JET Programme, CLAIR or the Government of Japan.