Student visa for Japanese-language institutions from the October 2026 intake: A1 Japanese must be proved by a test or an interview
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
Related rules
Status pages
政策变更 · 1 rulebook entries
留学在留资格 · 9 rulebook entries
- 申请日语教育机构的申请人，其日语能力必须至少达到日语教育参照框架中基于CEFR的A1水平，并通过考试或面谈加以确认。
- JLPT N5或以上、JFT-Basic A1或以上，是证明具备相当于A1的日语能力以进入日语教育机构的两项主要考试；BJT 300分或以上等其他考试的清单，目前也被接受。
- 对于2026年10月起入学的留学生的在留资格认定证明书申请，以及2026年7月1日起提出的在留资格变更或更新申请，150小时或以上的日语学习记录不再能证明A1能力；必须提交考试合格证明或接受面谈。
- 更严格的语言审查适用于2026年10月起入学的留学生的在留资格认定证明书申请，以及2026年7月1日起提出的在留资格变更和更新申请。
- 表中所列国籍的申请人，如提交外国高等教育毕业证明，则无需就日语教育机构证明日语能力。
仅供参考，不构成法律意见，也不是官方服务。作决定前请核对官方来源，并咨询出入国在留管理厅或持证行政书士（行政書士）。