Recruitment Timeline

Late September/ Early October:
The application process begins. Online applications are strongly encouraged. Online candidates, please keep your reference number safe as you may be required to quote it for enquiries regarding your application.

Due to the large number of applications we receive every year, it will take time to pre-screen all the applications and to send out acknowledgements. We ask for your patience.

Last Friday of November 6:00pm GMT:
JET application DEADLINE. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.

It is your responsibility to keep the JET Desk updated with your contact details should they change during the course of the application process. Only your contact details can be changed after you have submitted your application.

January and February:
Interviews are conducted throughout January and February. Interview invitations will be sent by post to candidates’ permanent and temporary addresses. A maximum of 10 days notice will be given for candidates invited to interview.

Interviews for ALTs will start in London and Edinburgh and continue throughout February.

February:
CIR interviews - All CIR candidates are interviewed in LONDON.
CIR interviews are conducted in Japanese only.

Candidates will receive a decision regarding an interview by late February.

March:
Interview results and successful candidates' data evaluated at the JET Programme Tokyo Head Office.

April:
Interviewed applicants will be notified as to whether they have been successful ('final short-list'), unsuccessful, or have been given alternate (reserve) status. Notifications are sent to both permanent and temporary addresses.

Successful ('final short-list') candidates must submit their completed JET Certificate of Health form, their Police Reply under the subject access provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and their Reply Form (with passport copy) to the JET Desk. Alternate (reserve) candidates who accept their reserve short-list candidacy must submit the Reply Form, a passport photocopy and their Police Reply by a set deadline. Relevant forms will be provided to successful and alternate candidates.

Successful candidates who have lived abroad (other than Japan) for more than 12 months must obtain a police clearance certificate from the relevant country/countries.

Following interviews, the JET Office cannot provide any information regarding a candidate's status prior to confirmation from Tokyo Head Office. We understand that this can be a time of concern for applicants but we ask for your patience.





Please be aware that a Police Reply under the subject access provisions of the Data Protection Act can take between 8-10 weeks to process, therefore candidates should start these procedures as soon as possible after notification of a successful application has been received. Any costs incurred must be paid by the candidate themselves. .

May:
Participants begin receiving their placement information. JET Programme General Information Handbooks are sent out.

From May onwards:
Reserve (alternate) candidates will be notified any time from May until late August if vacancies arise.

If a JET participant withdraws after having their placement confirmed, they will render themselves ineligible to re-apply for the JET Programme in the future (exceptional circumstances notwithstanding). Last minute cancellation or withdrawal may cause the JET participant to incur a penalty fee to compensate a contracting organisation for loss of funds.

Early July:
Two-day Pre-Departure Orientation in London.

July / August:
Participants depart for Japan on the day designated to them by Tokyo.

Passports need to be submitted at Pre-Departure Orientation for the issuing of the JET Programme related work visas and will not be returned until departure.