How JET Program Participants Can Apply for Permanent Residency in Japan (2024 Guide)
How JET Program Participants Can Apply for Permanent Residency in Japan (2024 Guide)
Are you a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) or an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) participating in the JET Program? You may be eligible to apply for permanent residency (PR) in Japan. JET participants, who typically work in local government international exchange departments, schools, or boards of education, receive a three-year work visa. Their residency status is classified as “Education” (for ALTs), “Technology, Humanities, International Services” (for CIRs), or “Skilled Labor” (for SEA participants). With a maximum stay of five years under the JET Program, you can start planning your permanent residency application during your stay.
How to Apply for Permanent Residency as a JET Program Participant
Under Japan’s immigration law, individuals typically need a minimum of 10 years of residency to apply for permanent residency. However, JET Program participants can expedite this process by switching to a Highly Skilled Professional visa, which shortens the residency requirement to 3-5 years, depending on your qualifications.
Salary and Employment Considerations for JET Participants
JET Program participants are employed by prefectural offices, boards of education, or other organizations, with fixed salaries. The compensation for JET participants is as follows:
- First year: 3.36 million yen
- Second year: 3.6 million yen
- Third year: 3.9 million yen
- Fourth and fifth years: 3.96 million yen
While the salary is set and does not offer additional points for contribution to Japan, it meets the requirements for PR applications. All taxes, including income tax, residence tax, and pension contributions, are handled by the relevant authorities, ensuring compliance with Japanese laws.
Key Factors for Highly Skilled Professional Visa Points
Since the JET Program salary scale does not receive extra points, JET participants must earn points through other qualifications and factors. Some of the factors that can significantly boost your points include:
- Graduating from a Japanese university
- Holding the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 level
- Being an alumnus of a designated school
- Having a master’s degree or MBA
- Holding IT certifications or legal qualifications
These qualifications are essential for meeting the Highly Skilled Professional visa requirements, which can fast-track your permanent residency application.
Why Choose Continental for Your Permanent Residency Application?
At Continental Immigration, we specialize in assisting JET Program participants in their permanent residency applications, even for those working in regional areas. Since most JET participants are located outside major metropolitan regions, we provide tailored support for regional applicants.
Continental’s Assistance for Regional Applicants
If you are applying for PR outside the Kanto region, Continental Immigration offers full support. For residents of areas under the jurisdiction of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau (including Niigata, Yamanashi, Nagano, and other Kanto prefectures), we handle all aspects of the application. For those living outside this jurisdiction, we can prepare your application documents, including the necessary forms and supporting materials for Highly Skilled Professionals, and send them to your home address by mail.
Applicants then submit the documents to their local immigration bureau. We provide continuous support throughout the process. In fact, rural immigration bureaus are often known for being friendly and accommodating, making the process smoother for regional applicants.
Contact Continental for Expert Support
If you are a JET Program participant considering permanent residency in Japan, contact Continental today for a consultation. We specialize in helping JET participants successfully transition to permanent residency, regardless of their location in Japan.
Professional
Masakazu Murai
18 years experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley(JV, MUFG Bank and Morgan Stanley). He had provided financial advisory more than 500 entrepreneurs and senior management.
During his tenure, he worked as an employee union executive committee member in promoting diversity, including the active participation of foreigners and women in the office, and engaged in activities to improve the working environment. He specializes in financial consulting and VISA/PR consulting.
Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
CMA(Japanese financial analyst license)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship
