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instructor visa route

Can you teach English in Japan with a UK passport?

TYPICALLY YES
2026 update

the short answer

Yes — UK passport holders are among the most commonly hired nationalities by Japan's eikaiwa chains and ALT dispatch companies. You'll need a bachelor's degree in any subject for the work visa, plus an accredited TEFL certificate, though it's not always legally mandatory. Employer preferences and visa document lists change, so confirm current requirements with your chosen employer and the Japanese embassy before committing to travel dates.

Key facts

DegreeBachelor's degree required for the visa
TEFL hours120 hours accredited, often requested by employers
VisaInstructor or Specialist in Humanities visa
Typical payTypical first-year eikaiwa/ALT pay, not international-school pay
Best cityTokyo and Osaka for volume of openings
Hardest partChoosing between ALT dispatch and direct-hire eikaiwa
Who this suitsUK grads wanting one of the most accessible Asian markets

step one, always

Get the certificate before you apply

Get the accredited TEFL course

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typical, not guaranteed

Your timeline

  1. 1

    Accredited TEFL course

    120 hours online is widely accepted by eikaiwa and ALT employers.

    1-4 weeks
  2. 2

    Degree + transcript

    Certified copies usually suffice; some employers want apostilled documents.

    1-2 weeks
  3. 3

    DBS criminal record check

    Basic DBS check, required by most reputable employers.

    2-8 weeks
  4. 4

    Apply to eikaiwa or ALT companies

    Interviews are usually via video call, sometimes with a demo lesson.

    3-8 weeks
  5. 5

    Certificate of Eligibility + visa

    Employer applies for your CoE first, then you apply for the visa in London.

    4-10 weeks
Start the 120-hour / Level 5 course

Why Japan is relatively open to UK applicants

Unlike Korea, Japan's immigration law doesn't hard-code a fixed passport list for teaching visas — eligibility is based on your degree and job offer. Combined with UK applicants being a preferred nationality for many eikaiwa and ALT companies, this makes Japan one of the more accessible markets for British graduates.

That accessibility doesn't remove competition. Large ALT dispatch companies receive high volumes of UK applications, so a clear TEFL certificate and a well-prepared demo lesson genuinely help you stand out.

ALT dispatch vs direct-hire eikaiwa

ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) roles place you in public schools via a dispatch company or, less commonly, directly through JET. Eikaiwa are private conversation schools with more predictable hours but often evening and weekend shifts.

A frequent mistake is choosing based on brand recognition alone. Read recent teacher reviews for the specific branch or dispatch region, since pay and support can vary a lot even within the same company.

The Certificate of Eligibility step

Once you accept a job, your employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) with Japanese immigration on your behalf. Only once that's issued do you apply for the visa itself at the embassy in London — this two-step process is often what stretches the timeline to two months or more.

what people actually ask

FAQs

Is a UK passport an advantage in Japan's teaching market?

Yes, UK applicants are among the more commonly hired nationalities by eikaiwa and ALT companies, though the degree and visa requirements apply regardless of passport. Confirm specific employer preferences before applying.

Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach in Japan?

It's not always a strict legal requirement for the visa, but most reputable employers ask for one, typically 120 accredited hours. It also improves your standing against other UK applicants competing for the same roles.

What's the Certificate of Eligibility and why does it matter?

It's a document your employer secures from Japanese immigration before you can apply for your actual visa. It's often the slowest step, so factor in extra weeks when planning your move date.

Should I choose ALT or eikaiwa work?

ALT roles place you in public schools with more standard hours; eikaiwa are private schools often with evening and weekend shifts. Choose based on lifestyle preference and read recent reviews of the specific employer, not just brand name.

How competitive is the Japan market for UK applicants?

Fairly competitive, since the UK is a popular applicant pool for major dispatch companies. A clear TEFL certificate, tidy documents, and a confident demo lesson meaningfully improve your odds against other applicants.

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Read next

Japan country guide →UK passport, teach English abroad →Documents checklist for TEFL visas →
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