Transfering to a different prefecture

[harukogirl]

I thought this was possible, but I got some re-contract info and it looks like they only do it if you're getting married/have severe allergies/ something similarly drastic. Is that true? Is there anyone who transferred to a different prefecture? How/why?

[HiroshimaPAGuillaume]

Hi,

The info you got is basically correct. Transferring to a different prefecture seems to be very heavy on the paperwork, and as such they usually only do it for marital/health reasons. Although the definition of "marital" can be stretched quite a bit. I heard of a guy who transferred a few years ago from Fukuyama to Sapporo to be with his girlfriend. He just told his BOE they were getting married. That was four years ago. They still aren't married. So yeah.

[harukogirl]

Too bad I can't invent a finace/boyfriend. Hum...hire one? LOL

[Jen_KyotoPA]

I thought this was possible, but I got some re-contract info and it looks like they only do it if you're getting married/have severe allergies/ something similarly drastic. Is that true? Is there anyone who transferred to a different prefecture? How/why?

Yes, that's true--also if, say, all the positions in your prefecture were being cut. I'm sure there have been people who have done it, but for the most part it's very restricted.

[ladama]

In my time on JET I only ever knew of one person who transferred prefectures, he was married to a Japanese woman so I'm going to guess being closer to the wife's family or work or whatever is the reason he cited for a transfer. So yeah, a transfer within the prefecture is far more common, and nearly everyone I knew who transferred did so because their school/town was cutting JET.

[BasilG]

Our prefecture got a guy from another prefecture this year, and I know a few people who have transferred within their prefecture. My pred transferred to my school in her 3rd year, and stayed here in her 4th and 5th.

The only people I know who have transferred (within or out of prefecture) were all 3rd years going into their 4th year, but their BOEs didn't want to keep the same ALT for more than 3 years.

[AichiPA_Kevin]

As others have mentioned, reasons accepted for transferring to another prefecture are very limited. They include (1) moving closer to a spouse; (2) moving closer to a dependent who needs ongoing care; (3) moving closer to medical treatment you require; or (4) your current position is not being renewed for reasons beyond your control, such as budgetary constraints.

Maybe a transfer would be granted for some other reason matching these in importance, but these are the reasons specifically outlined in the "JET Programme Q&A Book (9th Revised Edition)".

[farstrider]

Hi,

The info you got is basically correct. Transferring to a different prefecture seems to be very heavy on the paperwork, and as such they usually only do it for marital/health reasons. Although the definition of "marital" can be stretched quite a bit. I heard of a guy who transferred a few years ago from Fukuyama to Sapporo to be with his girlfriend. He just told his BOE they were getting married. That was four years ago. They still aren't married. So yeah.

I think I'll have to try this.

Are transfers requested as part of the renewal paperwork, or can you just ask the BOE at any time?

[Patryn]

renewal paperwork. you have to put in your transfer request quite early. My documentation says forms need to be sent in by November 4th 2011

[king]

renewal paperwork. you have to put in your transfer request quite early. My documentation says forms need to be sent in by November 4th 2011

Wow, that is super early, I thought it wasn`t until November people got their renewal papers?

[Patryn]

argh! it seems to have cut off a bit before that sentence.

What I meant to say was that MY renewal paperwork said that. It said that the paperwork was distributed on the 7th October. you might need to ask your supervisor or something, but then again, perhaps ESID again. ^^

[AichiPA_Kevin]

renewal paperwork. you have to put in your transfer request quite early. My documentation says forms need to be sent in by November 4th 2011

Wow, that is super early, I thought it wasn`t until November people got their renewal papers?

In principle, the renewal papers are handed out in October. The Nov. 4th deadline should be the same for everyone. Because the "normal" (non-transfer) recontracting deadline is so much later (February-ish), some COs don't bother to give their JETs the papers until later on. If you're thinking about requesting a transfer, bring it up with your CO right away and make sure you get your papers.

[farstrider]

So it seems stretching the definition of "getting married" may not be as easy as I had hoped based on Guillaume's anecdote...

I finally got the renewal paperwork today (actually had to ask for it), and, under Section 3.2.1.1 Marriage, it says, "Due to the JET participant being engaged (with intention to marry during or before the next year of appointment), and will be unable to live with his/her future spouse should he/she continue at his/her current host prefecture/designated city." Also, for supporting documentation, it says I should provide a "statement from JET participant and fiancee indicating intended date of marriage" and "employment verification of fiancee".

This presents a problem for me: my girlfriend and I have discussed getting married, but, for the moment, we've just left it at "some day"; and I doubt that's precise enough to satisfy the decision-makers. So the question is, if we just make up a random date for the purposes of requesting a transfer, will the COs/government/whoever be sending someone around to make sure the event occurred as stated? Also, my girlfriend is not a JET participant (she works for Toyota), so what kind of "employment verification" would the decision-makers want?

[NiigataPAKatrina]

So it seems stretching the definition of "getting married" may not be as easy as I had hoped based on Guillaume's anecdote...

I finally got the renewal paperwork today (actually had to ask for it), and, under Section 3.2.1.1 Marriage, it says, "Due to the JET participant being engaged (with intention to marry during or before the next year of appointment), and will be unable to live with his/her future spouse should he/she continue at his/her current host prefecture/designated city." Also, for supporting documentation, it says I should provide a "statement from JET participant and fiancee indicating intended date of marriage" and "employment verification of fiancee".

This presents a problem for me: my girlfriend and I have discussed getting married, but, for the moment, we've just left it at "some day"; and I doubt that's precise enough to satisfy the decision-makers. So the question is, if we just make up a random date for the purposes of requesting a transfer, will the COs/government/whoever be sending someone around to make sure the event occurred as stated? Also, my girlfriend is not a JET participant (she works for Toyota), so what kind of "employment verification" would the decision-makers want?

For proof of employment of your fiancee, you need something from her company stating that she works there and cannot be transferred to the area is which you live. Don't make up a random date. If you aren't actually getting married within the next year, then you don't qualify for a transfer. Your new CO will know if you get married or not, and if you don't get married you are risking some unpleasant consequences (angering your schools, angering your BoE, turning them off of JET).

[farstrider]

It's moot now, in any case. I didn't receive the renewal paperwork from my CO until 01 November, and my girlfriend told me there was no way she could obtain proof of employment and send it on to me before the 04 November deadline; so I'm going to have to wait until next year