What teaching English in Japan pays and costs
Plain answers on JET Programme pay, requirements, TEFL, visas and start-up costs, checked against official sources.
Free tools and databases
- Teach English in Japan requirements databaseSearch rules and fees for teaching English in Japan by route and topic: JET, Instructor and Engineer/Specialist status, schools and more. Sources shown.
- Teach English in Japan savings calculatorEnter your pay, deductions, rent and living costs to estimate what you could set aside while teaching in Japan. An estimate, not a promise.
- Teach English in Japan start-up cost calculatorEstimate what moving to Japan to teach English may cost. Uses sourced visa and TEFL prices. You enter rent, flights and the rest. An estimate only.
- TEFL and CELTA cost databaseSearch TEFL, TESOL, CELTA and CertTESOL costs by provider, format and type. Each entry shows the price, its date, its caveat and the source page.
Guides
- CIR vs ALT: what is the difference on JET?ALTs help teach languages in schools. CIRs work in local government and need strong Japanese. Compare duties, rules, visa and how to choose.
- Do you need a TEFL to teach English in Japan?JET does not require a TEFL, and the two immigration status pages we read do not mention one. See what is required, what may help and current course prices.
- Which visa do English teachers need in Japan?Schools usually fall under Instructor status, and private company language teaching under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services. See the official differences.
- How much can you save teaching English in Japan on JET?There is no official savings figure for JET. Use this worked example from verified pay to test your own budget, with one-off costs you should plan for.
- What does Interac require, and what does it pay?Interac says you need a bachelor's degree, native-level English and 12 years of English education. See its pay figures, costs and where its pages disagree.
- Can you get your Japanese pension back when you stop teaching?Foreign teachers leaving Japan may claim part of their pension back within two years. See the four conditions, the payment rates, the tax and the catch.
- How much do teachers in Japan earn?Japan's public high school teachers averaged 353,200 yen a month in base pay in 2022. See official MEXT pay by school type and how it compares with JET.
- Is there a JET Program age limit?JET Program USA says there is no age limit. See what official pages say about age, dual citizenship, residents and past JETs, with one conflict flagged.
- What is the JET Program application timeline?JET applications open in fall, interviews follow in winter and results come in spring. See the 2027 dates, the steps and common mistakes.
- How long is a JET Program contract?A JET contract runs about 12 months and can renew up to five years. See the renewal rules, what leaving early costs and where sources differ.
- JET Program housing: who pays and what does it cost?On JET you generally pay for your own housing, and may need 2 to 6 months' rent right after arrival. See what that covers, and what to ask before you go.
- What will a JET Program interview ask?We found no official list of JET interview questions. See the official format by country, what selectors say they want, and practice prompts we wrote.
- What are the JET Programme requirements?JET generally needs a bachelor's degree by arrival, and a TEFL is not required. See the 2027 eligibility rules for ALT and CIR, and where embassy wording differs.
- How much does the JET Programme pay?JET pays about 4,020,000 yen before tax in the first year under the 2027 guidelines. See pay by year, tax, deductions and what is not confirmed.
- What does it cost to move to Japan as an English teacher?Sourced start-up costs for teachers moving to Japan: visa fee, Certificate of Eligibility, JET flights and housing, and optional TEFL prices. No invented totals.
- Do you pay resident tax in your first year in Japan?You usually pay no resident tax in your arrival year, but the bill starts the next June. See a dated example for a JET teacher and the rule on leaving.
- What do you need to teach English at a university in Japan?University English jobs in Japan usually ask for a master's degree or higher. See three current job notices, the legal rules, the Professor status and pay.
- Can you teach English in Japan as a non-native speaker?The immigration rules we read do not say native speaker. They ask about schooling in English, degrees and experience. See what each route needs.
- Can you teach English in Japan without a degree?JET needs a bachelor's degree, but some visa routes do not name one. See each route, the official rule and a simple check for your own case.
- TEFL vs TESOL vs CELTA: what is the difference?TEFL and TESOL are general terms. CELTA is one Cambridge qualification. Compare hours, teaching practice, cost and format, with a rule for Japan.
- Can you teach English in Japan on a Working Holiday visa?A Working Holiday visa allows work only as a side part of a holiday. See the official rules, who can apply, and how it compares with a work status for teaching.
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