1. Do I need a degree to apply for JET?
Yes, you must have at least a Bachelor's Degree or obtain one by July 1st 2007.
A diploma (even a diploma in education) is not sufficient.
Teaching certification or teaching experience is not required to apply for the JET Programme.
2. Do I need a Bachelor's Degree in Japanese, English, or Education to apply for JET?
No, a Bachelor's Degree in any field is acceptable.
3. Do I need teaching experience in an actual school to apply for JET?
No, teaching experience in a school is not required for participation in the JET Program.
4. Do I need a TESL/TEFL certificate to apply for JET?
A few contracting organizations participating in the JET Programme do request JET participants with this type of certification. However, it is not a "MUST" to apply for the program.
5. Why does JET have an age limit of 40 years of age or younger?
The reason for this age limit is that one of the main purposes of the Programme is to foster youth-to-youth exchange between Japanese youth and young professionals from the counties participating on the JET Programme.
6. I don't have South African citizenship but am a permanent resident of South Africa and speak English. Can I apply for JET?
You cannot apply for the JET Programme through the Embassy of Japan in South Africa. The Embassy in South Africa accepts applications from South African citizens only. If you are a citizen of any of the 44 other countries participating in the JET Programme, you may apply through the country in which you have citizenship. You must contact the Embassy of Japan or Consulate General of Japan in your home country to request an application.
7. I am not currently a South African citizen but have applied for citizenship. Can I still apply for JET through South Africa?
Yes, but only if you will become a South African citizen by the application deadline.
8. I have participated in the JET Programme in the past. Can I apply again?
Former JETs can reapply but only if they have not participated in the programme in the last 10 years. Former JETs who completed their contracts in July 1997 or before are eligible to re-apply for the JET Programme beginning with the 2007 JET Programme. Those who began their contracts in July 1997 or later are not yet eligible to re-apply for the programme.
9. In the past, I applied to JET, was accepted, and then withdrew. Can I apply again?
In general, if you withdrew before you were notified of your placement, you can re-apply for JET during any programme year. If you withdrew after your placement information was given to you and you had an unavoidable reason for withdrawing, you may re-apply during any programme year. An example of an unavoidable reason is the serious illness or death of a family member. The final decision on whether your reason for withdrawing was unavoidable and whether you can re-apply will be determined by the Embassy of Japan. If you withdrew after you were notified of your placement information without an unavoidable reason, you are not eligible to re-apply for at least one programme year.
10. I have lived in Japan in the past. Can I still apply for JET?
Yes, as long as you have not lived in Japan for 3 or more years total in the last 8 years.
1. Can I use the 2005 JET Programme application to apply for the 2006 JET Programme?
No, you cannot. We make slight changes to the application every year. Therefore, you cannot use an application from a previous programme year. Using an old application form may result in the disqualification of your application.
2. Can I apply for the CIR or SEA positions?
No, you cannot. South African citizens may only apply for the ALT position.
Please see the ‘How to Apply’ section for more detailed information.
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1. What is the JET Programme's selection procedure?
To be reviewed, applications must be submitted to the Embassy of Japan by the deadline. During January, applications are processed and reviewed. Applicants are notified by early February whether or not they have been selected for interviews. Interviews are generally held in mid to late February. After interviews, the results of the application review and interviews are sent to Tokyo where the final decisions are made. Applicants will be notified of these final decisions sometime in early April. If an applicant is selected as a programme participant, he or she will depart for Japan in late July.
2. What are the general criteria for selection to the JET Programme?
There are four general criteria for selection to the JET Programme as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT).
Applicants MUST
- be South African citizens;
- have earned or will earn a Bachelor's Degree by the time they depart for Japan
- have not lived in Japan for three or more years total in the last 8 years.
- and be under 40 years of age
3. What are you looking for in ALT candidates?
Applicants should be motivated to teach English, work with children, and participate in international exchange activities. They should also be flexible and adaptable to new cultures, as well as have a knowledgeable understanding of their own country and culture and be willing to share this knowledge with people of other cultures. Finally, applicants should be open-minded and interested in learning about Japanese language and culture.
4. I don't have any Japanese language ability. Is this a disadvantage for selection?
No, not having any Japanese language ability will not disqualify you. If you do have some knowledge of the Japanese language, it would be an advantage to you as an ALT applicant.
5. Will previous time spent in Japan help me in the selection process?
Yes, previous time spent in Japan will help you in the selection process because it reflects your interest in Japan and Japanese culture, possible Japanese language ability, and your adaptability to Japanese life. However, if you lived in Japan for three or more years in total in the last 8 years, you are not eligible to apply for the JET Programme.
6. Is it possible for a participant to be disqualified after he or she has been offered a position on the JET Programme?
Yes, a participant or an applicant can be disqualified from the programme without warning in the following circumstances: the participant/applicant engages in conduct which is considered unsuitable for a JET Programme participant or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the participant/applicant may engage in such behaviour; the participant's/applicant's documents are found to contain false statements; required forms for participation are not submitted by set deadlines; or it becomes clear at a later date that the participant/applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria due to some reason attributable to the participant/applicant.
7. If I am chosen as an alternate, what are the chances that I will be upgraded to a participant and offered a position on the JET Programme?
An alternate is offered a position when a participant withdraws from the programme. The JET Programme cannot foresee when candidates will withdraw and so cannot guarantee that an alternate will be upgraded.
8. Will my race and religion play a role in selection?
No, absolutely not.
9. How are married/engaged/companion couples treated in the selection process?
Married/engaged/companion couples are treated the same as unmarried/single applicants. Therefore, we cannot guarantee placement together for couples.
10. I have a criminal record. What role will this play in selection?
A criminal record will not necessarily disqualify you. However, the seriousness of the crime will be taken into account and a final decision will be made in Tokyo regarding whether or not to offer the applicant a position with the programme.
11. If I am offered a position on the JET Programme, may I defer my acceptance until the following year?
No. If you are accepted as a participant you may not defer participation to the following year. If you are accepted to the JET Programme and you are unable to participate for any reason, you will have to re-apply if you ever wish to join the Programme in the future.
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1. Where will interviews be held?
Interviews will be held in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
2. Will I be responsible for the cost of travelling to the interview location?
Yes.
3. I was selected for an interview but would like to interview in a location different from the one I indicated on my application. Is this possible?
Yes, it is possible to change your interview location.
4. I was selected for an interview but will be living in another country during the time of the interviews. This country does participate in the JET Programme. Is it possible to interview there?
No, you MUST interview in your home country. The number of participants is decided by country and each country uses its own criteria to select participants.
5. If I am selected for an interview but cannot attend for various reasons (i.e., living and working in a foreign country, travelling to a foreign country, etc.) how will this affect my candidacy?
You will be disqualified if you cannot attend the interview.
6. Is it possible to schedule the interview for a time other than mid to late February?
No, interviews for South African participants will only be held during this time. Due to the large number of interviews conducted we cannot accommodate individual schedules. No exceptions.
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1. How are placements allocated?
The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) considers the requests of both contracting organisations and participants. CLAIR then submits their proposals to the Special Mediator Committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and local governments. This committee makes the final decisions on participant placements.
2. What weight are participant placement requests given?
All requests are considered but due to the varying needs of each contracting organisation it is difficult to satisfy every request. In all cases, the JET Programme cannot guarantee any placement requests.
3. I have lived in Japan in the past. Is it possible to be posted to the place where I used to live?
Applicants are encouraged to indicate on the application if they have any placement requests. However, the JET Programme cannot guarantee any requests.
4. If both my husband and I apply to the JET Programme, can we be posted to the same place?
All applicants are considered as individuals during the selection process. However, the JET Programme does try to place couples in the same area but cannot guarantee placement together.
5. What is the possibility of teaching in universities/colleges?
There have been no participants teaching at the university/college level since 1992. The purpose of the JET Programme is to enrich foreign language education primarily in Japanese junior and senior high schools.
6. Is there any possibility of teaching at a private company?
No, there is no possibility.
7. Before departing for Japan can participants change their placements?
No, under no circumstances can participants change their placements.
8. Why is placement and working condition information not given to participants when they receive their offer of a position on the JET Programme?
Placements are not decided until after successful candidates have been chosen and agree to accept a position with the program.
9. After receiving the notice of placement and contracting organisation information can the participant make changes?
No, under no circumstances can participants change their placement or contracting organisation.
10. How can I get information regarding the area in which I will be placed and my working conditions?
Your contracting organisation will give you this information.
11. After arriving in Japan, can I change my placement?
Generally you cannot change your placement after arriving in Japan. However, under extraordinary circumstances placement changes may be considered.
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Please note: participants who have dual nationality must apply for the visa with their South African passport
1. What kind of visa is issued to JET Programme participants and for how long is it valid?
ALTs are issued an ‘Instructor visa’ for a length of three years.
2. Can I obtain a visa in an Embassy or Consulate General of Japan outside of South Africa?
In general, you must obtain the special visa for the JET Programme from the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan where you were interviewed or from which you will depart.
3. When is the visa issued?
It is usually issued before the Pre-Departure Orientation.
4. How can I obtain a visa?
If you are JET Programme participant, the Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate in Cape Town will issue you a visa. All participants will have to provide the Visa section with a signed and completed visa application form, passport (with at least one blank page for the visa sticker), one 45mm x 45mm photo and a copy of your JET acceptance letter.
Participants will have to visit the Embassy or Consulate IN PERSON to process the visa. Visas are FREE for JET Programme participants.
7. Can a non-JET spouse obtain a work visa for Japan?
If a non-JET spouse wants to arrange a job before entering Japan, the work visa must be obtained prior to entering Japan. The company that makes the job offer must first provide a Certificate of Eligibility that is required in order to obtain a work permit.
The JET Programme does not assist non-JET spouses in finding employment or in getting work visas.
8. If a participant wishes to accompany his or her fiancée, or girl (boy)friend, or common-law wife (husband) to Japan, what kind of visa can he or she get?
Under Japanese law, a fiancée, girl(boy)friend, and common-law wife (husband) are not considered the same as a spouse and cannot obtain a dependent visa. However, they can get a short-term visa that has a maximum length of stay of 90 days.
9. What is the procedure for departing and re-entering Japan?
If a participant wishes to depart from and then re-enter Japan within the permitted term of his or her visa, the participant needs to get a re-entry permit at the nearest immigration office before departing Japan.
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