The deadline for the 2012 JET Program Application was
December 2, 2011 at 5:30pm EST.

The 2012 JET Program Application is now CLOSED

Required Documents and
Supplemental Materials 

To apply for the 2012 JET Program, you MUST include ALL of the items below (#4, #5, #9 and #11, only if applicable).
Please review this page thoroughly and read the Checklist & Mailing Instructions when preparing your application for submission.

Failure to submit all the required documents and follow the instructions may disqualify your application from consideration.

Please note that for certain items, one original and two copies are required, whereas three copies will suffice for other items. Please do not send any materials separately.

#1, #2 and #3 need to be filled out online.

1) Main Application Form (1 original and 2 photocopies): Complete all questions on the on-line application form, print out in PDF version and sign.  The printed out document might show “Application Copy”, but it will be still accepted as the original. 


2) Authorization and Release Form (1 original and 2 photocopies):
This document will appear when you fill out all the required information on the on-line application forms and print them out in PDF version.  Please be sure to sign it.


3) Self-Assessment Medical Form (1 original and 2 photocopies): Please fill out on-line and print out in PDF version and sign. Please be sure to provide complete answers to all questions on this form, including a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Any missing or incomplete answers may result in the disqualification of your application.
=> If you have ever had any physical or mental condition/illness (including, but not limited to, those listed in Question 3, 4, or 5 in the form) you must detail on the Medical Form and also attach the Physician’s Form. On this form, your physician must state whether or not you are fit to participate in the JET Program, and as such, to live and work overseas. 


4) Physician’s Form - ONLY if applicable (1 original and 2 photocopies): The 2012 Physician's form is available here. You must have your physician complete and sign this form if you answer yes to questions 3, 4, or 5 on the Self-Assessment Medical form OR if you have had some medical condition in the past that requires further explanation. See Self-Assessment Medical Form for details.


5) Results of a FBI Background Check** - ONLY if applicable (1 original and 2 photocopies):You must submit an FBI background check if you have ever been arrested, charged and/or convicted of any crime other than a minor traffic offense (ie. speeding or parking ticket), including a juvenile offense.  Failure to disclose information related to your criminal history that is found later in the process may result in disqualification.  (Please note that all successful candidates will be requested to submit FBI background checks after the results are announced.)  If your record has been cleared, you must still submit the FBI background check to prove this.  Information on how to request an FBI background check request can be found at: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm.  It is important that you submit the request as soon as possible, as it can sometimes take up to 12 weeks to receive the results.  If you can obtain your FBI background check before the application deadline, send it with your application packet. If you cannot obtain your FBI background check in time to submit it then, include a note with your application to indicate that it is en route. If it is not received by the JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan by January 31, 2012, your application will be disqualified. This is your responsibility - there will be no reminders.
**For those individuals who wish to be considered for early placement (April-July 2012), the FBI background check, or a note indicating that one is en route, MUST be included in the application package regardless of whether you have a criminal history.


6) Certificate of Health Form**: - ONLY if applicable (1 original and 2 copies):
For most applicants, the certificate of health form will not need to be completed unless the applicant is selected for the 2012 JET Program. For those individuals who wish to be considered for early placement (April-July 2012), this form must be included with the application package. The 2012 Certificate of Health forms are available here.
DO NOT INCLUDE THIS FORM UNLESS YOU FULFILL ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EARLY PLACEMENT.

7) Statement of Purpose (3 photocopies): This is an essay, in English, of not more than two 8½" x 11" (or A4) pages, typewritten in 12 point font and double-spaced with one-inch margins. Please note that anything beyond the required two pages will not be read.Please type your name and page number (1of 2, 2 of 2) on each page. Be sure to include two copies of your statement in your application package. You should incorporate all of the following points in your essay.
Relevant Experience: Describe applicable experiences, professional skills, relevant interests and personal qualities, and how you feel these will be useful to you as an ALT or CIR.
Motivation for Participation: State why you wish to go to Japan and participate in the JET Program and why you are interested in the position for which you are applying.  Also address what you hope to gain, both personally and professionally, and what effect you hope to have on the Japanese community and internationally as a result of your participation in the JET Program.


8) Transcripts of all University/College Courses (1 original and 2 photocopies): Please provide transcripts from ALL undergraduate and graduate courses you have taken or are currently taking, including community college, junior college, study abroad, and associate’s degree transcripts. You must provide OFFICIAL transcripts with the registrar’s seal and/or signature from all undergraduate and graduate course work. Transcripts downloaded from the Internet will not be accepted for any school. These transcripts must show the names of all courses completed, the dates of this course work, and the grades received for each course. If your school uses narratives instead of letter grades, you must include all narratives with your official transcript. If you are unable to obtain an official transcript, you may submit an unofficial transcript, provided that it is clearly marked with the registrar’s seal and/or signature and shows no signs of tampering. Tampering refers to the changing of grades, course names or dates without the approval of the university. Tampering does not refer to opening the envelope containing the transcripts. The JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan will make the final determination on whether an unofficial transcript is acceptable. Although the envelope containing your transcripts may warn “Not Official If Opened,” for the purposes of this application you may open the envelope and remove the transcripts to make the required copies. If you were transferred from other institutions to the current institute:  If your main transcript shows the name of the institutions you were transferred from, the names of all courses completed, the dates of this course work and the grades received for each course, you do not need to submit a separate transcript from the institutions you were transferred from.


9) Proof of Study Abroad - ONLY if applicable (1 original and 2 photocopies): You must include transcripts from all study abroad programs you attended showing the names of the courses taken, dates attended, and grades earned. The transcript should also clearly state where the study abroad occurred (city and/or country). If you cannot get an official transcript from your study abroad program or are currently studying abroad, you may submit an official letter from your university or the study abroad program with the dates of the program, names of the courses taken, grades received and the name of the city and country where the program took place. If your university transcript only mentions the name of the school where you completed your study abroad, you must also provide a letter with the information listed above.


10) Proof of Graduation / Expected Graduation Date** –
If you have earned a Bachelor’s degree already: You must submit either (1) Your Official Transcript (1 original and 2 photocopies) which includes degree name and the month or year it was conferred OR (2) Your Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Diploma (3 photocopies – you do not have to send your original diploma).  If one of your original official transcripts you submit for #7 includes degree name and the month and year it was conferred, you do not need to submit Proof of Graduation Date.
If you expect to earn your Bachelor’s degree between the application deadline and July 1, 2012: You must submit a Proof of Graduation Date AND Current Enrollment Status (1 original and 2 photocopies) which is an official letter from the registrar of your college or university stating (1) that you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program AND (2) the date (month and year) that your degree will be conferred. It is your responsibility to check that your expected graduation date on the letter is accurate and is before July 1, 2012.  If you are accepted as a JET Program participant, you will be asked to submit an additional document prior to departure proving that you did graduate by July 1, 2012, as expected. 
Note: If you have yet to graduate, the document verifying your enrollment and graduation must be a separate document from your official transcript.
**For those individuals who wish to be considered for early placement (April-July 2012), you must include proof of graduation / expected graduation date of April 1, 2012. Individuals receiving their bachelor's degree after this date are not eligible to apply for early placement.

11) Proof of Teacher’s Certification and/or TEFL/TESL Certificate - ONLY if applicable (3 photocopies): If you entered Y for Question #14a or 14b you must provide separate documentation (from the institution granting the certification) of your certification or enrollment in a program which will lead to certification. This must include your date of completion. (See Application Instructions under Question #14b.)

12) Proof of U.S. Citizenship (3 photocopies): Please include ONE of the following documents:

  • VALID United States passport: pages which include photo, name, and signature.
  • Birth Certificate
  • Naturalization papers: if you are a naturalized citizen, please contact the INS for information on receiving copies of your naturalization papers.

13) Reference Letters (1 original and 2 copies of each): Using the 2012 reference forms available here, you must obtain a letter of reference from two different people.  They may be academic or professional.  Please avoid using family members or family friends. If you have not already graduated, one of your references should be from someone related to the university and should contain a reference to your expected date of graduation.  Ask the two separate individuals recommending you to use the provided form as the first page, followed by a personal assessment on his or her organization’s letterhead. All letters of reference must be prepared specifically for this application. Ask each reference writer to make two additional copies of his or her original letter with original signatures and the Reference Form.  Each reference writer needs to include the 3 sets of reference forms and letters in the same sealed and signed envelope.  All reference forms & letters should be returned directly to you and not sent separately to the JET Office. 

14) Self-Addressed-Stamped Envelope: Please address and a regular business size envelope and include it with your application so that we may send you confirmation of the receipt of your application. The Embassy will not be responsible for incorrect addresses.


Please note:
Your application will be disqualified if you do not sign ALL 3 of the following:
1) Application Form
2) Authorization and Release Form
3) Self-Assessment Medical Form
 
The JET Program requires at least one set of original signatures on these forms. (The two copies of your application form may be copies of the original, but you must send the original.)

 

For Document Sorting Instructions and Mailing Instructions, click here.