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Japan work visa and TEFL certification
Japan doesn't ask for a TEFL certificate as a visa requirement, but almost every employer expects one anyway. A StudyTEFL 120-hour certificate is built to meet that expectation, whichever of Japan's teaching routes you choose.
Why a StudyTEFL certificate works for Japan
The Japan work visa itself, whichever category applies to you, is built around your degree and your employer's sponsorship, not your TEFL hours. But JET, dispatch ALT companies, eikaiwa schools and international schools all commonly ask for a TEFL certificate of 100 hours or more in practice, since it signals real teaching preparation on top of the legal minimum.
Japan has long been part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so where an employer does ask for an apostilled document, it's a well-established, routine process handled through Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the issuing country's own apostille authority, not a recent or unusual step.
Japan doesn't have one single teacher visa. Public school and JET-style roles generally use the Instructor visa, which requires 12 years of education in English specifically. Eikaiwa, dispatch and corporate roles generally use the Humanities/International Services visa, which is more flexible on that point but still requires a bachelor's degree. Confirm which applies with your specific employer before you assume either way.
Japan work visa requirements at a glance
Most foreign English teachers applying for a work visa will be asked to provide the following.
Requirements differ meaningfully between the Instructor and Humanities visa routes, and between JET, dispatch, eikaiwa and international school employers. Your specific employer's HR team, or your JET coordinator, will confirm exactly what's needed for your application.
Choose your StudyTEFL route
Japan doesn't set a TEFL-hour requirement in law, but all three routes below give you well more than what most employers actually look for, plus tutor support and a QR-verifiable certificate. The $39 Complete course is where most applicants start.
120-Hour Complete TEFL
Our main route, and the one most work visa applicants choose: the fuller 120-hour course with real classroom video and tutor support.
168-Hour Specialist TEFL
Everything in Complete TEFL, plus 40 hours on teaching young learners and 8 hours on teaching adults, useful if you may teach younger students.
120-Hour Practical TEFL
Everything in Complete TEFL, plus two assessed lesson plans and two recorded demo lessons with feedback from a real teacher.
Looking for the leanest option instead? The $29 Online Teacher TEFL also covers 120 hours, though it's built mainly for online teaching rather than in-person classroom work, so most work visa applicants choose Complete TEFL or above.
How to get a Japan work visa
JET is government-run and the most prestigious, but the most competitive and slowest to apply for. Dispatch ALT companies are generally the easiest way in. Eikaiwa conversation schools offer the most flexibility over city and schedule. Each leads to a different visa category and timeline.
Apply through your chosen route and secure a confirmed position. Your employer will sponsor your visa application, since individuals can't apply for a Japan work visa independently.
Your school or company submits an application to Japanese immigration on your behalf. Once approved, you'll receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which you'll need for your visa application.
With your Certificate of Eligibility and supporting documents, apply for your Instructor or Humanities/International Services visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate covering your area.
Once your visa is issued, you can travel. Shortly after arrival, you'll typically need to register your address and, if applicable, apply for a residence card at your local municipal office.
Getting your documents ready, if your employer asks for it
TEFL certification isn't itself part of Japan's visa requirements, so not every employer will ask you to apostille your StudyTEFL certificate. Where a school or company does ask for it, or asks you to apostille your degree or background check, the process is well established.
Japan has been part of the Hague Apostille Convention for years, so apostilling a document for use there, or apostilling a Japanese document for use elsewhere, is a standard, well-understood process. Confirm with your specific employer whether they need your TEFL certificate apostilled, or just a plain copy.
A short travel guide for new teachers in Japan
Tokyo and Osaka offer the most job variety and the biggest expat communities, but come with a higher cost of living. JET and dispatch placements often send teachers to smaller cities and rural areas, which can mean a quieter, more immersive experience and a lower cost of living, though less choice over location.
Japan's school year starts in April, so hiring for ALT and JET roles peaks from January to March. A smaller second intake runs around August for the autumn term. Eikaiwa and dispatch companies hire somewhat more flexibly throughout the year.
LINE is Japan's dominant messaging app, and most schools and colleagues will expect to reach you through it. Google Maps and transit apps work well for navigating Japan's extensive train network. A local bank account and phone plan are usually set up in your first couple of weeks, often with help from your employer.
Learning basic Japanese, even just reading hiragana and katakana, makes daily life considerably easier. JET provides strong orientation and support; dispatch and eikaiwa support varies more by company, so ask what's included before you accept. Many first contracts are one year, renewable, so treat your first placement as a foothold rather than a final decision.
Frequently asked questions
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