Magnus32Japan keeps hiring English teachers year-round, with peak intakes for fall and spring starts. Some employers sponsor work visas, but it depends on the role, employer, and your eligibility. If you want a practical path to living in Japan with stable pay, training, and a clear visa process, the employers below are where many candidates start.
Before you apply, get your paperwork ready. Most sponsors expect a bachelor’s degree, a resume in a clean format, and interview availability across Japan time. Many roles don’t require Japanese, but basic classroom language and a calm, friendly style help a lot.
Below are top options for Visa Sponsorship Teaching Jobs in Japan, with what they hire for, what you can expect, and where to apply (named sources only, no live links).
1) JET Programme (Public Schools Nationwide)
JET is the best-known government-backed route for teaching in Japan’s public schools. Roles are usually Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), placed through local boards of education, with a structured workweek and a clear support system.
Sponsorship is built into the program, since placement is tied to a contracting organization in Japan. Pay is competitive for entry-level teaching in Japan, and the job is widely respected, which can help with renewals and future employers.
What you’ll teach and where
- Public elementary, junior high, and high schools across Japan
- Team-teaching with Japanese teachers is common
Typical profile they want
- Bachelor’s degree
- Strong communication skills and a professional track record
- Clean background checks are commonly required
How to apply and where
- Apply through the official JET Programme website and your local Japanese embassy or consulate’s JET instructions (process varies by country)
- Plan early for the next intake, since JET runs on fixed cycles
2) Interac (ALT Dispatch to Public Schools)
Interac is a major ALT dispatch company that places teachers in public schools across multiple prefectures. It’s a common entry point for candidates who want to be in Japan sooner and prefer rolling hiring rather than a single annual intake.
Some Interac roles include visa sponsorship, depending on the contract and location. Hiring often targets specific regions that need teachers quickly, which can increase your odds if you’re flexible on placement.
What you’ll teach and where
- ALT assignments in public schools
- Placements vary, including suburban and regional areas
What to expect
- Structured training and standard school hours
- School calendars can mean unpaid gaps for some contracts, depending on the role
How to apply and where
- Apply through Interac’s official careers page or reputable Japan teaching job boards that list Interac roles and sponsorship terms
- Keep documents ready for visa processing once you receive an offer (your employer typically files the COE in Japan)
3) AEON (Eikaiwa, Private Language Schools)
AEON is a long-running private language school brand (eikaiwa) that hires instructors for conversational English. For many candidates, this is the most “city-friendly” option, since roles are often in metro areas and the work is designed around lessons with adults, teens, and kids.
Some AEON roles sponsor a work visa under the category commonly used for private language schools (this differs from the public-school Instructor visa). Sponsorship still depends on the role, your credentials, and meeting immigration rules.
What you’ll teach and where
- Small-group lessons, set curricula, strong customer service focus
- Many placements in larger cities and commuter belts
What you can sell yourself on
- Reliable attendance and on-time performance
- Clear speaking voice, strong energy, and comfort working evenings and weekends
How to apply and where
- Apply via AEON’s official recruitment site
- Prepare for a structured interview process that checks teaching demos and professionalism
4) ECC (Eikaiwa, Multiple Locations)
ECC is another major eikaiwa employer with a long history in Japan. Jobs can appear across different cities, and the work tends to be curriculum-based, with training to help new teachers run lessons smoothly.
Some ECC roles offer visa sponsorship, depending on location and hiring needs. ECC openings are often listed through established Japan teaching job boards as well as company recruitment channels.
What you’ll teach and where
- Conversation-focused English classes
- Students range from children to adults depending on branch
What to expect
- Training, lesson materials, and clear performance standards
- Schedule can include evenings and weekends
How to apply and where
- Apply through ECC’s official recruitment channel, plus reputable job boards that carry ECC listings
- Keep your degree documents ready for COE preparation after an offer
5) Gaba (One-on-One Eikaiwa, Kanto and Major Cities)
Gaba is well known for one-on-one lessons, often in Tokyo and nearby prefectures, with additional placements in other major city areas. The format suits candidates who prefer adult learners and individualized sessions rather than large classes.
Some Gaba roles sponsor visas, but requirements can be stricter than other entry-level schools. In some cases, they may specify minimum earnings or experience or education conditions aligned with visa rules.
What you’ll teach and where
- One-on-one English lessons, often adult-focused
- Common locations include Tokyo and surrounding areas, plus select Kansai placements
What to expect
- A service-oriented environment with performance expectations
- Scheduling can be different from public schools, with peak hours after work and weekends
How to apply and where
- Apply through Gaba’s official recruiting page
- Be ready to show you meet role requirements tied to sponsorship eligibility
6) Heart Corporation (ALT Roles with Nationwide Placement)
Heart Corporation places ALTs in schools across Japan and is often visible in hiring waves for fall and spring starts. This can be a good fit if you want school-based hours and can handle placements outside the largest city centers.
Some Heart roles advertise visa sponsorship, but it depends on the posting and contract. Pay ranges and start dates can vary by region and school calendar.
What you’ll teach and where
- ALT assignments in public schools
- Placements can include smaller cities and rural areas
What to expect
- Standard school-day rhythm
- Potential need for flexibility on location and commute
How to apply and where
- Apply through Heart Corporation’s recruitment channel and reputable Japan teaching job boards that carry their listings
- Confirm sponsorship terms in writing during the offer stage
7) ESLstarter (School Placements and City Options)
ESLstarter is commonly listed as a recruiter or placement option that advertises multiple start months and several major city areas. This is attractive if you’re optimizing for timing and want choices across different locations.
Some roles may include visa sponsorship, depending on the school partner and the contract. This path can move quickly, but you’ll want to verify who the legal sponsor is (the school or the dispatch firm) before you accept.
What you’ll teach and where
- Mixed placements, often described by city and start month
- Roles can vary in age group and school type
What to expect
- Hiring processes can be faster due to ongoing intakes
- Terms can differ widely by partner school
How to apply and where
- Apply through ESLstarter’s application channel listed in the job posting source
- Ask for sponsor name, visa category, and expected timeline once shortlisted
8) Kohgakusha (School-Based and Program Roles, Tokyo Area Focus)
Kohgakusha appears in teaching job listings with defined salary ranges and structured programs. It can be appealing if you want a more school-like environment with a clearer monthly pay band than some lesson-based models.
Some postings mention visa support, but eligibility can vary. Roles may reward extra credentials such as Japanese language ability, depending on the specific job.
What you’ll teach and where
- Program-based English instruction, often tied to schools or partner institutions
- Commonly associated with Tokyo area listings
What to expect
- Defined pay ranges and clearer role structure
- A professional, rules-based workplace style
How to apply and where
- Apply through the employer’s official hiring channel listed in their postings, or reputable Japan teaching job boards where their openings appear
- Prepare degree proof and identification documents early to avoid COE delays
9) Public School ALT Roles (Boards of Education via Dispatch Companies)
Outside JET, many public schools hire ALTs through dispatch firms that contract with local boards of education. This is one of the biggest year-round sources of Visa Sponsorship Teaching Jobs in Japan, especially for candidates who can start on short notice or accept non-central placements.
Some dispatch employers sponsor, and some don’t, based on contract structure and timing. The value here is volume: there are many openings across prefectures, which can help you match start dates, location, and school level.
What you’ll teach and where
- Public schools across Japan, often with set school hours
- Team-teaching and activity-led lessons are common
What to expect
- Contracts vary by region and school year
- Training quality differs by employer, so read job terms closely
How to apply and where
- Apply through reputable Japan teaching job boards that list ALT dispatch roles with sponsorship notes
- Confirm visa category and sponsor responsibilities during the offer stage
10) University and College English Instructor Roles (Selective, Higher Bar)
University roles can pay well and look great on a resume, but they’re harder to land without experience, publications, or advanced degrees. Openings exist, but they’re not the typical first stop for new teachers.
When sponsorship is available, it’s tied to the institution and the contract. This route is best for candidates who already have teaching experience in Japan or have strong academic credentials.
What you’ll teach and where
- Academic English, presentation skills, writing, and seminar-style courses
- Usually in larger cities or regional university hubs
What to expect
- Competitive hiring and formal screening
- Clearer career progression for experienced educators
How to apply and where
- Apply through university HR portals and reputable Japan education job boards
- Provide detailed CV, teaching history, and degree transcripts as requested
Visa basics and demand context (reputable sources)
Japan’s work visa for teaching depends on the employer and teaching setting. Public school teaching commonly aligns with the Instructor status, while many private language school roles fall under Specialist in Humanities/International Services. In both cases, the employer typically sponsors and applies in Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), then the candidate completes the visa step at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
Reputable sources to verify the visa framework and categories include:
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan (status of residence categories and COE process)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) (visa application basics and embassy guidance)
- JET Programme (official site) (program process and requirements)
Public discussions and job postings show persistent hiring across big metros and regional areas, with heavy demand around spring and fall starts. For policy and education context, MEXT (Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) is the most credible place to confirm current education priorities and staffing initiatives.
Conclusion
The strongest commercial paths for Visa Sponsorship Teaching Jobs in Japan usually come from three channels: JET for public schools, ALT dispatch firms for steady year-round hiring, and big-name eikaiwa chains for city-based roles. Some employers sponsor, but it depends on role, employer, timing, and your eligibility, so treat each listing like a contract review and confirm sponsor details early.
Visa sponsorship, salary ranges, and requirements vary by employer, location, and your qualifications. This article is general information, not legal advice. Always verify requirements on official government sites and with the hiring employer.
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