Basic Requirements to Become an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher)

Before you spend time filling out applications, preparing interviews, or comparing programs, it’s worth answering a simpler question first:

Are you eligible for ALT jobs in Japan?

ALT hiring has a few non-negotiable requirements. Meeting them does not guarantee you a job, but failing any one of them almost always ends the process before it starts. This article focuses on those minimum requirements and how they are applied in practice.

Oh, one other thing: since most people applying for ALT jobs for the first time are applying from outside of Japan, we’re going to focus on that situation for this article. If you’re already in Japan, things get more complicated to explain since it will all depend on your visa status.

Before You Apply: A Quick Reality Check

The question of who qualifies for ALT work in Japan is regulated by Japanese law, not by individual companies or the JET Program. That means recruiters and interviewers are not free to “make exceptions” based on enthusiasm, experience, or personality.

Foreign educators working in Japanese public schools generally must first obtain an Instructor Visa. Since ALTs work in public schools, this is the one you need. There are exceptions if you are already legally authorized to work in Japan some other way (for example a Spousal Visa), but that doesn’t apply to 99% of first-time ALTs.

ALT organizations have to screen out candidates that cannot legally obtain the correct work visa. As a result, requirements are interpreted conservatively, and documentation is taken seriously.

This article explains how those requirements are typically applied by major ALT organizations. It is not a guide to Japanese visa law. You need a visa lawyer for that.

Instructor Visa Requirements

With all of the above in mind, let’s talk about the generally accepted requirements for an Instructor Visa.

Twelve Years of Education in the Medium of English

This is the most commonly misunderstood requirement, so let’s talk about it in detail.

In practice, this requirement is satisfied by completing primary and secondary education followed by a bachelor’s degree in an English-speaking country. For the vast majority of applicants, this is straightforward and never questioned.

Issues only arise in unusual educational paths, such as extensive grade skipping, nontraditional schooling environments, or international education.

ALT organizations may ask for exact attendance dates to confirm that your education meets the required duration. For most candidates, this is simply a formality.

One additional note here – the JET Program tends to be less strict about this requirement than private companies.

What “In the Medium of English” Means

“In the medium of English” means that instruction was conducted in English, including classroom teaching, textbooks, and coursework.

If you were educated in a country or region where English is the standard language of instruction, this is usually assumed. If not, you may be asked to provide documentation confirming that your education was conducted in English.

Situations That May Require Extra Documentation

Additional documentation is sometimes requested for candidates who were:

Educated in multilingual or non-English-speaking regions
Educated overseas
Homeschooled
Educated at military base schools

Being asked for documentation does not mean rejection. It simply means the organization needs to confirm eligibility before proceeding.

A Bachelor’s Degree (Any Field)

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required to obtain an Instructor visa and work as an ALT.

This means:

The subject of the degree does not matter
Degrees in education or English can get you bonus points, but they’re not required
Associate degrees are not sufficient
Uncompleted degrees are not sufficient
Degrees from unaccredited institutions are not accepted

Advanced degrees (master’s or doctorate) are welcome but not necessary.

Graduating Soon?

Many ALT organizations will interview candidates who are within approximately six months of graduation, with the understanding that the degree must be completed before visa processing begins. If the degree is not completed in time, the offer cannot move forward.

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening

While this is not technically a visa requirement, TB screening is mandatory for teachers working in Japanese public schools. As a result, nearly all ALT organizations require a TB check as part of the hiring or onboarding process.

This is a normal public health standard, not a Japan-specific oddity, and similar requirements exist in many countries.

If Your Situation Is Unusual

Educational paths and personal circumstances vary, and some candidates fall outside the most common profiles. If you’re not sure if you technically qualify, I would recommend applying anyway and seeing what feedback you get from the ALT organization.

Different ALT organizations may interpret requirements slightly differently and may request additional documentation to better understand your situation. In these cases:

Follow instructions carefully
Provide requested documents in the specified format
Communicate professionally and clearly

Recruiters have a duty to follow their organization’s standards for candidate selection – and even if you are qualified, taking a combative stance isn’t going to help you demonstrate you’re a good candidate for working in Japan.