JET Program housing: who pays and what does it cost?
Last checked: 2026-11-06
On JET you generally pay for your own housing, and you may need the equal of 2 to 6 months' rent right after you arrive. The 2027 guidelines say this, and CLAIR's 2026-27 handbook repeats it. Neither gives a yen figure for rent, because rent depends on your placement.
Who arranges it, and who pays?
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| 2027 guidelines | In principle you are responsible for all arrangements and all costs. In some cases the contracting organisation designates your housing. |
| CLAIR handbook, 2026-27 | You pay all housing costs, including repair, cleaning and moving fees, and agent commission. Check with your organisation before you arrange anything yourself. |
| UK embassy | In many cases accommodation is arranged before you arrive. Some JETs are asked to find their own, with help from their organisation. |
| JET Program USA | Contracting organisations generally assist. Many new JETs inherit housing, and predecessors sometimes give or sell furniture. |
These fit together: help with arranging a home is common, but paying for it is usually your job. The handbook adds that if you turn down what is offered, your organisation has no duty to help you find something else.
What the upfront money covers
| Item | What the handbook says |
|---|---|
| Deposit (shikikin) | Covers damage and cleaning when you leave. Some contracts return only part of it, whatever the condition of the home. Clarify this when you sign. |
| Key money (reikin) | A non-refundable payment to the landlord when a new rental starts. Whether you pay depends on where the home is, how new it is and other factors. |
| Commission | You pay this if you use a real estate agent or other housing service. |
| Rent | Depends on location, facilities, size and the age of the building. |
| Furniture and appliances | Mainly your responsibility. Confirm what is provided before you arrive. |
| Utilities | Your own cost in general, though this may vary by organisation. |
What 2 to 6 months' rent looks like
The rents below are made-up examples to show the maths. They are not typical JET rents. The official sources give no figure, so ask your organisation or predecessor for the real one.
| Monthly rent (example) | 2 months (our sum) | 6 months (our sum) |
|---|---|---|
| 40,000 yen | 80,000 yen | 240,000 yen |
| 60,000 yen | 120,000 yen | 360,000 yen |
| 80,000 yen | 160,000 yen | 480,000 yen |
To add this to the rest of your budget, use the start-up cost calculator, which starts from the same 2 and 6 months.
Money before your first pay
CLAIR says you usually receive your first pay in your month of arrival, or in some cases the next month. JET Program USA says it usually comes at the end of your first month, and strongly recommends having at least $2,500 to $3,000. Timing varies by organisation.
CLAIR strongly recommends bringing cash for daily and housing costs, and confirming the amount with your organisation first. It also warns that credit and debit cards may not be widely used in rural areas. See start-up costs for the full list, and how much you can save on JET for the monthly picture.
Questions for your organisation
This list is ours, built from the items above.
- Will you designate my housing, or do I find my own?
- What is the rent, and how much do I pay on arrival?
- Is there key money, a deposit or agent commission? How do I pay them?
- How much of the deposit comes back, and what cleaning fee applies when I leave?
- What furniture and appliances stay in the home?
- Who do I contact about problems: you, a landlord or a management company?
Two details that catch people out
- No Certificate of Eligibility: estate agents may ask for one. CLAIR says JET participants will not have this document. Ask your organisation whether your Notice of Appointment can be used instead.
- Costs when you leave: repair and cleaning fees are yours, both during your stay and when you go. See the contract rules for other costs at the end of your term.
Not on JET? Interac gives its own figures. See Interac requirements and pay.
How we checked: on November 6, 2026 we read the 2027 guidelines, CLAIR's 2026-27 handbook, the UK embassy page and JET Program USA's pages directly. CLAIR says circumstances vary across contracting organisations. We do not give a typical rent, because we found no official figure.