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Student visa for Japanese-language institutions from the October 2026 intake: A1 Japanese must be proved by a test or an interview

Published 1 October 2026 · Last checked 24 October 2026

Entry

For students entering a Japanese-language institution from October 2026, a record of 150 hours of study no longer proves A1 Japanese. A test certificate or an interview is required, with an exemption for graduates of foreign universities from listed countries and regions.

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What changed

From the October 2026 intake onward, applications for student residence status can no longer prove A1-level Japanese with 150 hours of study history alone. A test certificate or an interview confirmation is required. Graduates of foreign universities from the countries and regions listed in the agency’s table are exempt.

The stricter check applies to certificate of eligibility applications for students entering from October 2026, and to change-of-status and renewal applications filed from 1 July 2026.

The agency cites the January 2026 comprehensive measures as the basis for the 2026 changes to Japanese-language institution intake: the mandatory test or interview proof of A1 Japanese and the three-monthly check on students’ part-time work.

Who it affects

Applicants to Japanese-language institutions, and students at those institutions whose status is changed or renewed from 1 July 2026. Applicants from nationalities listed in the table who submit a foreign higher-education graduation certificate do not need to prove Japanese ability for Japanese-language institutions.

Key numbers

• Level: at least CEFR-based A1 in the Japanese Language Reference Framework, confirmed by an exam or an interview.
• Old rule: a record of 150 or more hours of Japanese study. It no longer proves A1 ability.
• Main tests: JLPT N5 or higher and JFT-Basic A1 or higher. A list of other tests, such as BJT 300 or more, is accepted for the time being.
• Schools are asked to check with each student at least once every three months whether the student has work permission, the employer names, the nature of the work and the daily hours worked.
• If a student reports that an employer demands work beyond 28 hours a week, or guidance does not fix a violation, the school should report the records to the nearest immigration office.

Next step for university entry

Students entering universities (including graduate schools, excluding Japanese-language divisions) or technical colleges from FY2027 must prove Japanese ability at CEFR-based B2 level of the Japanese Language Reference Framework.

What to check

Check the agency’s page on the revised handling for Japanese-language institutions, its table of exempt countries and regions, and the list of accepted tests, which is accepted for the time being and can change.

Sources

• ISA: Partial review of the handling of people entering Japanese-language institutions ↗ moj.go.jp
• ISA: Points to note for Student applications ↗ moj.go.jp
• ISA: Notes for applications, Student (university entry) ↗ moj.go.jp

Last checked 24 October 2026

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