If you are a JET participant, the JET Programme Office or JET Coordinator at the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan where you were interviewed will provide you with the necessary information to apply for a visa. All participants will have to provide the JET Programme Office with a signed and completed visa application form, passport (with at least one blank page for the visa sticker), and one 3cm x 4cm (passport-sized) photo. Note: some Embassies require 2-3 weeks or more to complete this process, during which time the applicant will be without a passport. Passports with the visa are generally returned to participants at the pre-depature orientation.

Participants are issued a three-year working visa as either an “Instructor” (ALT) or as a “Specialist in Humanities/International Services” (CIR). Note: participants who are married to or are children of a Japanese national may obtain a "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" visa.

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.

It is usually issued before the pre-departure orientation, normally held up to one month or sooner before departure. Please contact the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan through which you are departing.

Spouses and family members are issued a single entry “Dependent” visa.

Under Japanese law, a fiancee, girlfriend/boyfriend, or common-law wife/husband is not considered the same as a spouse and cannot obtain a dependent visa. However, they may be able to enter Japan after obtaining a short-term visa (length of visa may vary by country, usually a maximum of 90 days).

As Japanese law does not recognise same-sex partnerships or marriages, same-sex partners and spouses are not able to obtain a Dependent visa to enter Japan at this time.

Please check your Status of Residence and be sure not to partake in any illegal employment. You may not stay in Japan even one day past the expiration of your Period of Stay. Should you plan to stay in Japan past your Period of Stay, you must apply to change your Status of Residence to "Temporary Visitor" before it expires, or apply for the appropriate change in your Status of Residence for employment if required. Please consult with your Regional Immigration Bureau of Japan well in advance.