INTERVIEW & DEPARTURE LOCATIONS
The JET Program application for 2026 departures to Japan is now open!
Interview
2026 JET Program Interviews: Please note for the 2026 JET Program application cycle, interviews will be virtual. As with our 2021-2025 JET Program Interviews, candidates will be allowed to interview from their home in the US and from abroad.
Applicants must choose a designated U.S. location for their interview. Interview locations are dependent upon the U.S. city which participants plan to depart from if selected for the 2026 JET Program. An applicant’s interview location and departure location are to be the same location, unless in special circumstances (such as for applicants residing in and “departing” from Japan). If you are selected for an interview for the 2026 JET Program, it will take place in late January or early February 2026. Remember on your application to select the location that will be convenient for you when departing to Japan in the spring or summer of 2026.
Departure
In principle, participants must depart from the same location where they interviewed. Participants may, however, depart from a different location under special circumstances. Leading up to departure, all JET Program participants will attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in their departure city. Flights from the designated airport to Japan will be covered by the JET participants’ Contracting Organization, however, participants are responsible to get themselves to the designated airport.
*Individuals who are residing in Japan can choose to “depart” from within Japan and will be exempted from the Pre-Departure Orientation in the United States. Instead, they will join other JETs at the Post-Arrival Orientation in Tokyo.
Please see our 2026 Departure Groups and Dates for JET Program USA for more information.
For each interview location’s contact information, please see here.
For departure dates, please see here.