Visas

What kind of visa is issued to JET participants?

Participants are issued a work visa as a CIR (Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa) or ALT (Instructor Visa). The visa is valid for three years or the duration of your contract, whichever is shorter.

How do I apply for my JET visa? Do I incur a cost?

The Consulate conducts visa arrangements for participants and incurs administrative costs.

Visa applications will be emailed to participants at the end of May/early June. You will need to submit the application along with your passport by July 17, 2015.

Passports will be held at the Consulate until the orientation on July 31, as the Consular (Visa) section and JET Programme staff require immediate access to participant passports during visa and travel document preparation. Visa applications are required well in advance of departure to allow us enough time to process the large number of visas and travel documents for all JET participants without issue.

I am currently residing in Japan and have selected Tokyo as my point of departure on my Reply Form. How do I obtain my JET visa?

If you currently hold residency in Japan, you must check with your local immigration office about changing the status of your current visa to the appropriate JET visa. If they are unable to do so, you must return to Canada, so the Consulate can issue your visa.

Can I obtain a visa in an Embassy or Consulate General of Japan outside of Canada?

All participants must obtain their visa from the Embassy or a Consulate General of Japan in Canada. Only those with residency in Japan, and who have confirmed with the local immigration office that they can change their visa status, can do so.

My wife/husband and/or children will accompany me. What kind of visa can they get?

Dependent Visas must be arranged by the participant. However, the Consulate will cover the cost of the visas. If a non-JET spouse wants to work after entering Japan, they can apply at the local immigration office for a provision that permits the spouse to work a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Applications for these visas are available by contacting the JET Programme Coordinator. Questions concerning visas should be directed to the Consular Services (Visa) Section at 604-684-5868, extension 393.

My fiance/boyfriend/girlfriend will accompany me. What kind of visa can they get?

Under Japanese law, a fiancee, girl(boy)friend and common-law wife (husband) are not considered the same as a spouse. As a result, they cannot obtain a dependent visa. However, they can get a Temporary Visitor's Visa (maximum stay 90 days) or a Working Holiday Visa (Under 30 years old. Valid for six months, renewable for another six months while in Japan.)

Questions concerning visas and requests for applications should be directed to the Consular Services (Visa) Section at 604-684-5868, extension 393.