Quick Answer
If you live in Japan and have a residence card (在留カード: zairyu card), this change does not affect you — you can still take the JLPT as before. From 2026, the new rules only restrict short-term visitors such as tourists who do not hold a residence card.
Does This Affect You If You Have a Residence Card?
The most important point first: if you are a mid- to long-term resident of Japan with a valid residence card — whether you are a student, worker, or permanent resident — nothing changes for you. You can continue taking the JLPT at test sites across Japan in July and December, just as before.
The people affected by this change are:
- Short-term visitors (tourist visa holders) who were planning to take the JLPT during a trip to Japan
- People who do not yet have a residence card and were trying to register for the exam before arriving in Japan
In short, if you don't live in Japan and don't have a residence card, you can no longer take the JLPT here.
📌 When registering, you must now enter your residence card number and its expiration date. Without a residence card, you cannot complete the application.
What Exactly Changed?
Starting in 2026, the JLPT in Japan is limited to:
- Mid- to long-term residents (students, workers, and others who hold a residence card)
- Special permanent residents
- Certain official status holders (diplomats, military personnel, those granted provisional stay)
Previously, anyone whose native language was not Japanese — including tourists — could sit the exam in Japan. That is no longer the case. The residence card requirement at registration effectively excludes all short-term visitors.
Why Did This Rule Change Happen?
According to the test administrators — Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) and the Japan Foundation — overseas applicants frequently registered with invalid Japanese addresses or phone numbers, making it difficult or impossible to deliver test vouchers, score reports, and certificates.
Reports indicate that some applicants used addresses that did not actually exist in Japan, or entered phone numbers that were not reachable. As these cases accumulated, the administrative burden on the organizers grew unsustainable.
As a Japanese person watching this unfold, I feel it is a tough change for test-takers. At the same time, when you are running an exam for tens of thousands of people and a growing number of registrations have unusable contact information, something has to give. The administrative reasoning behind this decision is understandable. That said, I also wonder whether introducing online identity verification could have addressed the same issues in a different way. Reliance on paper-based processes may be part of the picture, but no doubt many other factors are at play.
Why Were Tourists Taking the JLPT in Japan?
Overseas JLPT test sites are heavily concentrated in East and Southeast Asia. In some countries, the exam is only offered in a single city — typically the capital.
- Nepal: Kathmandu only
- Bangladesh: Dhaka only
- Sri Lanka: Colombo only
- Singapore: one city only
In these countries, the test may only be offered once a year, and if you live outside the capital, getting to the test site can be expensive and time-consuming. By comparison, Japan offers the JLPT twice a year across all 47 prefectures, making it far more accessible.
For people in countries with limited test sites, combining a trip to Japan with taking the JLPT was a perfectly logical choice. I have friends who did exactly this during visits to Japan.
That said, some countries have extensive coverage — China offers the JLPT in 43 cities, South Korea in 23, and Indonesia in 16. The availability of overseas test sites varies dramatically by region.
Who Is Affected by This Change?
The direct impact falls on people who do not live in Japan, but it can also affect you if you live here:
- If friends or family back home wanted to take the JLPT, you can no longer suggest they "just come to Japan and take it here"
- If someone is coming to Japan on a short-term language study program, they need to check whether they will receive a residence card
- If you are planning a working holiday in Japan, you can take the JLPT after receiving your residence card
For test-takers in countries with few overseas test sites, this is a painful change. But there is one clear action to take: check your nearest overseas test site and registration schedule early, and plan accordingly rather than relying on taking the test in Japan.
✅ You can find your nearest test site and application schedule on the JLPT official overseas test site list.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I take the JLPT in Japan on a tourist visa after 2026?
In principle, no. The JLPT in Japan is now limited to mid- to long-term residents and special permanent residents. You must enter a residence card number and expiration date when applying.
Where can I take the JLPT outside Japan?
Test cities and frequency vary by country. China, South Korea, and Indonesia have many test sites, while some countries in Europe and South Asia only offer the exam in one or a few cities. Check the JLPT official overseas test site list for the latest information.
Can I take the JLPT in Japan if I have a residence card through a working holiday or student visa?
Yes. As a mid- to long-term resident, you are eligible to apply. Enter your residence card number and expiration date when registering.
Sources
- Tourists no longer allowed to take JLPT in Japan from 2026 - The Japan Times (February 18, 2026)
- JEES and the Japan Foundation announcement on 2026 JLPT domestic implementation (limiting eligibility to mid- to long-term residents and special permanent residents; requiring residence card number and expiration date at registration)
- JLPT official overseas test site list (as of February 2, 2026)