The Application Process

Before You Apply - Visa Requirements

To work as an ALT in Japan, you must have the appropriate visa. The most common visa for ALTs is the Instructor’s Visa, which is required to work in public schools. To qualify for this type of visa, you must meet specific requirements set by Japan’s immigration authorities.

Native English Speaker Requirement:

To qualify for an Instructor’s Visa, you must be from a native English-speaking country or have completed at least 12 years of all-English education, with all subjects taught in English (see below for more details). Please note that Japan Immigration does not assess your level of fluency in English; rather, they focus on your educational background. While fluency is important to us, it is not a factor in the visa application process.

Required Documentation and Process:

For overseas applicants, the process involves obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through ALTIA CENTRAL while you are outside Japan. We will collect copies of important documents from you, such as your 3- or 4-year university degree, passport, and a few other items. Once we have all the necessary documents, we apply for the COE, which typically takes about a month to be issued. Afterward, we send the COE to you by email, and you will then apply for the Instructor’s Visa through a Japanese consulate or embassy.

Alternative Visa Options:

Other visa types that may allow you to work as an ALT include:

• Spouse or Child of a Japanese National
• Permanent Resident
• Long-Term Resident

Change of Status:

If you are already in Japan on a Specialist in Humanities, Student, or Cultural Activities visa, we can apply for a Change of Status to an Instructor’s Visa.

Non-Native English Speakers:

Japan Immigration is strict about verifying the 12 years of all-English education, and non-native speakers from outside of Japan generally face significant challenges in obtaining the Instructor’s Visa. Even if you believe you meet the requirements or can provide the necessary documentation, we may not be able to proceed with your application due to the risk of rejection by Immigration. For non-native speakers, an easier alternative might be applying for positions at Eikaiwa schools (language schools or English cafes), where a Specialist in Humanities visa is typically required.

Please note: if you do not currently have or cannot qualify for the Instructor’s Visa based on the requirements above, we will not be able to proceed with your application.

When to Apply and The Hiring Timeline

ALTIA CENTRAL works with public schools in Japan, where the school year begins in April. April accounts for the largest intake of new recruits, as this is when most positions are filled. September marks the beginning of the second semester and is our second biggest recruiting season, with a smaller intake of ALTs. Although the majority of our hiring occurs in April and September, we occasionally have 1 or 2 new ALT positions available in many months throughout the year, typically due to mid-term resignations or other unforeseen circumstances.

When to Apply

• For April positions: Overseas applicants should apply in October or November, though a few weeks earlier and a few weeks later into December is OK too, to complete the recruitment process and be ready to start in April. This allows enough time for visa processing and preparation.
• For September positions: Overseas applicants should apply in May and June, though again, there is some flexibility there. We typically know which positions will be available by late July, and we hire around 10 to 15 new ALTs during this time.
• For in-country applicants: You can apply year-round, as positions are filled as they become available.

Hiring Process and Timeline:

• April start positions: The hiring timeline for April positions is more predictable. We begin assessing available positions in December when we ask our current ALTs about their plans for the following school year. We typically receive responses by mid-January and begin placing new applicants in available positions by the end of January. This is when we have the highest number of positions available.
• September start positions: If you’re applying between April and June, you may be considered for a September start. By late July, we typically know which positions will be available for September. Based on past data, we usually have about 10 to 15 openings at that time. However, while a September start is possible, there’s also the possibility that an opening may not become available until later in the fall, winter, or even until the following April.

Unpredictable Openings:

Throughout the year, we sometimes face unexpected openings due to various circumstances, such as personal matters or emergencies that prevent an ALT from continuing the school year. These positions can arise at any time, and it’s difficult to predict exactly when, where, or how many openings there will be. Therefore, while we can plan for April and September starts, mid-term replacements or unplanned openings may arise throughout the year.

The Interview

All interviews are a two-stage process conducted via Google Meet. You’ll be asked to select a 1-hour time slot that suits your schedule. While our interviews are designed to be comfortable and friendly, we do ask that you dress and behave professionally.

After a successful initial interview, we will send you an email with details on the required documents and instructions for preparing your Demo Lesson Video, confirming your references, and gathering any additional paperwork. Once we’ve received your completed demo lesson and references, we’ll arrange a second interview. This will allow us to continue our conversation, confirm more of your information and preferences, and give you the opportunity to speak with one of our colleagues in Japanese.

Post-Interview

Congratulations on completing the full interview process with ALTIA CENTRAL! What’s next?

There may be some time between your second interview and the final approval, as well as your start date. Rest assured, the HR Department will be working diligently to find a suitable position for you and will keep you updated as much as possible. We kindly ask for your patience during this time, but please feel free to reach out with any questions or follow-ups you may have.

Background check

All overseas applicants must submit a background check before they can officially be hired as an Assistant Language Teacher with ALTIA CENTRAL. This requirement aligns with recent measures introduced by the Japanese government to enhance protections for children in public schools. For further details, you can view our policy [here].

Approval

After successfully completing the full, multi-part interview process, the Recruiting Manager will review your application and, hopefully, officially approve it. Approval means we believe you have the qualities needed to work as an ALT with ALTIA CENTRAL. This is a significant step forward in the hiring process, and the majority of applicants who reach this stage are ultimately offered a position. However, approval does not guarantee employment. The number of available positions depends on how many of our current ALTs continue with us and how many contracts we secure or renew with various Boards of Education. This information is often not confirmed until February or March.

The Official Offer

Once we have confirmed our position openings and found a suitable placement for you, we will send you an Official Offer email outlining the conditions of the position. After receiving the official offer, it’s your decision whether to accept or decline. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions or clarify any details at this stage.

Standby Positions

Throughout the year, ALT positions may become available outside of the main hiring seasons. These openings can arise suddenly and unexpectedly, so to fill them promptly, we offer 'Standby ALT' positions to some of our most flexible approved candidates.

In this case, you will be officially hired by ALTIA CENTRAL and begin receiving a salary, but the exact details of your placement, including the location, will not be confirmed in advance. Standby ALT positions are a great way to secure a guaranteed position rather than continue waiting, but they do require flexibility and patience.

If you have any questions, our HR Department is always available to provide timely, friendly, and informative responses.