Couples are treated the same as every other JET Programme applicant: that is, each applicant is considered based on the strength of their application and their success at the interview.

If both you and your spouse apply and are selected, efforts will be made to place both of you in nearby Contracting Organisations, however such placement cannot be guaranteed. Please fully consider that you may not be placed near each other. Although we will make every effort to place couples near each other, it is also important to note that Japan gives no recognition of common-law marriages or boyfriend/girlfriend relationships, and that legally married participants will be given priority.

It is possible for participants who inform their Japanese Embassy or Consulate well in advance to have family members travel with them. However, because all participants must attend an orientation in Tokyo immediately on arrival and also an orientation at the prefectural level, we recommend that family members depart for Japan after you have arrived and housing arrangements have been settled.

With advanced notice, accommodation can be arranged for accompanying family members through designated travel agents. However, please be aware that the hotels used for the Tokyo Orientation are expensive (from 13,000 yen per person per night). If no advanced notice is given, new participants will be assigned a roommate for the duration of Tokyo Orientation.

All family members will be responsible for their own airfare to and from Japan.

Family members are issued a single entry, three year, “dependent” visa.

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

If a non-JET spouse wants to arrange a job before coming to Japan, the work visa for the spouse must be obtained prior to entering Japan. The company which is making the job offer must first provide a Certificate of Eligibility which is required in order to obtain this type of visa. If a non-JET spouse wants to arrange work after entering Japan, he or she can apply at the local immigration office for a provision that permits the spouse to work a maximum of 20 hours a week. The JET Programme does not assist non-JET spouses in finding employment or in getting work visas.

In some areas it would be difficult for spouses to find work. In order to work full time, a spouse must have a valid working visa. Spouses coming to Japan on a general dependent visa cannot work without prior permission from the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau. If permission is granted, spouses may work up to 20 hours per week, however this permission is not guaranteed. Applicants should not count on their spouses being able to work.

Dependents can be entered under the JET participant's National Health Insurance (costs to be borne by the JET participant), but they cannot be entered into the JET Accident Insurance Policy. Read more about insurance here.

No, there are no special allowances for family members.

Yes it is, but it is recommended that you check education opportunities in the region where you will live with your Contracting Organisation before coming to Japan.

Although the needs and considerations of each family differ, the JET salary provides enough to support a family, and there are many JET participants and families who are living in Japan solely on this salary.