🇯🇵How to Register for the JLPT in Japan
日本語能力試験 国内申込（MyJLPT）
If you live in Japan, you do not register through jlpt.jp or through The Japan Foundation. The domestic test is run by JEES, and every individual application goes through its MyJLPT system. Expect a short window, about two weeks, and since 2026 you need a residence card to apply at all.
At a Glance
One national system, MyJLPT, run by JEES (Japan Educational Exchanges and Services)
The test is planned in all 47 prefectures. You choose a prefecture when you apply, not a specific venue. JEES assigns the venue and prints it on your test voucher, and when a prefecture is oversubscribed you may be placed in a neighbouring one. There is no list of venues to pick from in advance. How venues are assigned
Both July and December, one level per sitting
¥7,500 including consumption tax, the same for every level. This was the fee for both 2026 sittings.
For the December 2026 test, applications ran from Monday 24 August to Monday 7 September, closing at 17:00 JST. The July 2026 window was 17 March to 7 April, also closing at 17:00. Expect roughly the same shape each year: about two weeks, ending on a weekday afternoon rather than at midnight.
- JEES JLPT: MyJLPT and domestic application information
- JEES: 2026 domestic test eligibility (residence card)
- JLPT official site (test overview)
Fees and dates on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-09-18. Both change between sittings, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
Before you register
From 2026 the domestic JLPT is intended for non-native speakers who are mid-to-long-term residents or special permanent residents under Japan's residence management system. You enter your residence card number and its expiry date when you apply. People on a short-term stay, including tourists and anyone whose period of stay is three months or less, do not hold a residence card and cannot register in Japan. If that is you, register in your home country instead.
Test Sites in Japan
The test is planned in all 47 prefectures. You choose a prefecture when you apply, not a specific venue. JEES assigns the venue and prints it on your test voucher, and when a prefecture is oversubscribed you may be placed in a neighbouring one. There is no list of venues to pick from in advance.
Source: the JEES implementation guide for the 2026 tests (info.jees-jlpt.jp), checked 2026-09-18. Sites are occasionally added or withdrawn between sittings.
Registration Steps
Check that your residence card is valid through the application period
The form asks for your 在留カード number and expiry date, and an application without a valid card is not accepted. If you are between statuses or your card is about to expire, sort that out before the window opens, because the window is too short to fix it during.
Create your MyJLPT account before the window opens
MyJLPT accounts can be made at any time. Registration itself only opens for about two weeks, so make the account, confirm your email and enter your address early. On the day, all you should be doing is choosing a level and paying.
Apply within the window: one level, one prefecture
You can sit only one level per test date, and the level cannot be changed after you submit. You pick a 受験地 (prefecture), not a venue. Keep your postal address accurate. The voucher comes by mail, and a wrong address is the most common way people lose their seat without noticing.
Pay the ¥7,500 fee
Individuals can pay by credit card, by bank transfer through Pay-easy, or at a convenience store. The payment deadline is shown when you apply. An application that is not paid by then is treated as not made.
Wait for the 受験票 in the post
For the December 2026 test the voucher is scheduled to arrive by 20 November; for July 2026 it was 19 June. It carries the venue, which may be in a neighbouring prefecture if yours was full. Read it as soon as it arrives.
Check results on MyJLPT, then wait for the paper report
December 2026 results appear on MyJLPT in late January 2027, and the 成績通知書 is mailed in late February. For the July sitting the pattern is late August online and late September by post.
Key Terms You Will See
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| 日本語能力試験（にほんごのうりょくしけん） | Japanese-Language Proficiency Test |
| MyJLPT（マイ JLPT） | The JEES online account used for every domestic application |
| 在留カード（ざいりゅうカード） | Residence card. Its number and expiry date are required to apply |
| 受験料（じゅけんりょう） | Test fee |
| 受験地（じゅけんち） | Test area (prefecture) you choose on the form |
| 受験票（じゅけんひょう） | Test voucher, mailed to you, showing the venue |
| 成績通知書（せいせきつうちしょ） | Score report, mailed after results |
Teacher's Tips
- The window closes at 17:00 on a weekday, not at 23:59. Treat the day before as the real deadline.
- Tokyo, Osaka and other large prefectures are where neighbouring-prefecture assignments happen most. If your commute allows it, choosing the less crowded neighbour yourself can be the better option.
- Companies and schools entering ten or more people can apply as a group, but group payment is bank transfer only and the vouchers go to one address. Ask your school office whether they are doing a group application before you apply alone.
JLPT Registration FAQ — Japan
How do I register for the JLPT in Japan?+
Can I take the JLPT in Japan on a tourist visa?+
How much does the JLPT cost in Japan?+
When is JLPT registration in Japan?+
Can I choose my test venue in Japan?+
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