Health and Safety
General Safety
Medical Resources and Links
Disaster Preparedness
Emergency and Evacuation Resources
Emergency Supplies Checklist
Getting in Contact
Disaster Preparedness Handbook
Social Health Insurance
JET Accident Insurance
Mental Health
Sexual Health
Medication
Alcohol Abuse
Immigration
Status of Residence "Visa" (All 3rd Year JETs)
Travelling Abroad
Residence Administrative Procedures
Leaving JET Immigration Procedures
Important Documents
Money
Japanese Taxes
Home Country Taxes
Teaching Resources
Lesson Plans
Video Resources
Online Teaching Journals
Studying Japanese
Japanese Class
Self-Study
Category:
Kana
Kanji
Vocabulary
Grammar
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
JLPT Prep
Resource Type:
Applications/Programs
Books
Websites
Leaving JETs
Important Documents
Immigration - Status of Residence "VISA"
Return Airfare
Moving Checklist
Shipping and Forwarding Services
Selling/Disposing Your Belongings
Sending Luggage to the Airport
Pension Refund
Procedure A
Procedure B
Working After JET
Reverse Culture Shock
JET AA
Useful Links
General Safety
Medical Resources and Links
Disaster Preparedness
Emergency and Evacuation Resources
Emergency Supplies Checklist
Getting in Contact
Disaster Preparedness Handbook
Social Health Insurance
JET Accident Insurance
Mental Health
Sexual Health
Medication
Alcohol Abuse
Immigration
Status of Residence "Visa" (All 3rd Year JETs)
Travelling Abroad
Residence Administrative Procedures
Leaving JET Immigration Procedures
Important Documents
Money
Japanese Taxes
Home Country Taxes
Teaching Resources
Lesson Plans
Video Resources
Online Teaching Journals
Studying Japanese
Japanese Class
Self-Study
Category:
Kana
Kanji
Vocabulary
Grammar
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
JLPT Prep
Resource Type:
Applications/Programs
Books
Websites
Leaving JETs
Important Documents
Immigration - Status of Residence "VISA"
Return Airfare
Moving Checklist
Shipping and Forwarding Services
Selling/Disposing Your Belongings
Sending Luggage to the Airport
Pension Refund
Procedure A
Procedure B
Working After JET
Reverse Culture Shock
JET AA
Useful Links
Moving Checklist
April (4 Months Before)
May (3 Months Before)
June (2 Months Before)
July (1 Month Before)
Final 2 Weeks
A printable version of this list can be found in the 2024 Kyoto Prefecture JETs Departure Handbook.
Please check out the "Leaving the JET Programme" section of the GIH and CLAIR's After JET Guide for more information.
- Check your Status of Residence. If applicable, begin Status of Residence immigration processes. See Status of Residence section.
- Current 3rd year JETs (possibly 4th and 5th year, too): If your status of residence will expire before you leave the country, you MUST apply for an extension or for a Temporary Visitor Status of Residence to begin from the day after your current Status of Residence expires. Yes, you can get deported (at your own expense) and banned from Japan if you do not do this (for more information please go to the immigration section of this website).
- If you will be staying in Japan, make sure you do the correct procedures to change or extend your Status of Residence.
- Start saving money. The more you save, the better prepared you’ll be for leaving expenses (residence tax, moving costs, shipping costs, apartment cleaning, large furniture disposal, farewell parties, etc.).
- Make a budget for your final months. Keep in mind the first few weeks/months after leaving JET.
- Check how much nenkyu you have left. If you intend to use your nenkyu at the end of your contract period, discuss this with your school well ahead of time to see if it is acceptable.
- Make a bucket list of things you want to do, places you want to go, and people you want to spend time with.
May (3 Months Before)
- Arrange your return flight with your school. See Return Airfare section.
- Begin sorting your belongings into categories: keep, sell, donate, or toss. DO NOT sell/give away things that belong to your school. For Prefectural ALTs, at the very least, the following 5 items belong to your base school: refrigerator, washing machine, heating device, vacuum, and fan.
- Find out how to dispose of trash/large items you may have. Each city/municipal will have different processes. Take note of garbage disposal dates.
- Start shipping things don’t need (seasonal goods, non-essentials, etc.). See Shipping section.
- Start sending money home.
- Tell your landlord that you are moving and fix a date for inspection.
- Find your blue pension book (or yellow notification card for JET 2022 arrivals and after).
- Update your resume/CV and begin job search.
June (2 Months Before)
- Complete Predecessor Guide and send it to the PA. (Link to the guide here).
- Continue sorting and shipping belongings.
- Ask your school if you can pass on items to your successor.
- Once allowed, get in contact with your successor and discuss the sale and/or transfer of household items.
- Discuss payment of Local Residence Tax with your school.
- Choose a tax representative for the tax portion of the pension refund. See Pension Refund section.
- Fill out and submit the Notification of Tax Agent form to your local tax office. See Pension Refund section.
- Prepare farewell speeches.
- Prepare thank you/goodbye letters and/or gifts.
- Ask for reference letters. Leave detailed instructions or an example if you plan to request them.
- Cancel memberships (subscriptions, gym, etc.).
- If you have a car, begin the process of selling or disposing of it.
July (1 Month Before)
- Arrange to give, sell, or throw away any items your successor will not accept. Do NOT leave anything not previously agreed on.
- Clean your desk and computer at school. Leave an organized desk and desktop for your successor.
- Meet with your supervisor and confirm procedures for moving out, closing accounts, flights, etc.
- Leave contact information with your supervisor. Make sure you have their contact information.
- Pay your last month’s rent and any apartment cleaning/repair fees.
- Ask school administrative office for your 2023 Statement of Earnings (源泉徴収票 gensen chōshūhyō).
- If required for a job, request a Certification of Employment.
- Say your goodbyes!
- If you own a car, dispose of it properly. See CLAIR’s After JET Guide.
- Arrange travel and/or health insurance for travel in Japan or temporary coverage at home.
- Determine flight baggage allowance.
Final 2 Weeks
- Pay ALL outstanding bills. Cancel (or transfer) ALL utilities and services.
- Water, electricity, gas, TV, internet, cellphone, credit card, residence tax, etc.
- Make arrangements with a friend or coworker for any that cannot be paid by the time you leave.
- Submit Moving-out Notification (転出届 tenshutsu todoke) to local ward office about 14 days before moveout.
- Forward your mail to your new residence (if staying in Japan).
- Clean your apartment. Do not leave anything not previously agreed on with your successor.
- Do a final room inspection with your landlord.
- Close your bank account.
- Turn in your National Health Insurance Card to your school administration office on the last day of work.
- Confirm again your Period of Stay on your residence card will not expire before you leave Japan.
- Notify immigration that you have left your job and/or changed organization. See Status of Residence section.
- If applicable, begin Change of Status of Residence immigration processes. See Status of Residence section.
- Make sure you have a copy of your “My Number” paper/card.
- Make sure you have your pension book/card and take it with you. It’s necessary for applying for a pension refund.
- At the airport, hand in your Residence Card or get it punched. Tell the immigration officer that you will be leaving permanently.
A printable version of this list can be found in the 2024 Kyoto Prefecture JETs Departure Handbook.
Please check out the "Leaving the JET Programme" section of the GIH and CLAIR's After JET Guide for more information.