๐ต๐ญHow to Register for the JLPT in the Philippines
The Philippines is fully online and there is no walk-in option. Applications run through one portal operated under The Japan Foundation, Manila, and the window can close before its published deadline if it fills. Manila, Cebu and Davao are the only three sites.
At a Glance
One online portal, run under The Japan Foundation, Manila. No in-person registration
3 listed on the official JLPT site. See the full list
Both July and December, with all five levels offered at each of the three sites
โฑ2,200 for N1 and N2; โฑ1,800 for N3, N4 and N5.
For the July 2026 sitting, applications opened at 1pm on 17 March and were scheduled to close on 31 March, with the caveat that the window could shut earlier if volume was excessive. Expect a comparable window in the second half of the year for the December exam.
Fees and dates on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-07-31. Both change between sittings, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
Before you register
Everyone applies through jlpt-apply.jfmo.org.ph regardless of which of the three sites they choose. You complete the form online, pay through one of the listed methods, then upload proof of payment to finalise the application. An application without uploaded proof of payment is not complete. Note the published closing date can be brought forward if applicant volume is high.
Test Sites in the Philippines
| City | Host institution |
|---|---|
| Manila | The Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation (PJFF) |
| Cebu | Japanese Association Cebu (JAC) |
| Davao | Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD) |
Source: the official list of overseas test sites on jlpt.jp, checked 2026-07-31. Sites are occasionally added or withdrawn between sittings.
Registration Steps
Apply on the JFMO portal, whichever site you choose
Manila, Cebu and Davao all register through jlpt-apply.jfmo.org.ph. There is no walk-in registration and no separate portal per city, so instructions telling you to visit a centre in person are out of date.
Be ready at the opening time, not the opening day
Applications have opened at a specific hour, 1pm for the July 2026 window. Since the window can close early when volume is high, the first hours are worth more than the last week.
Complete the form against your actual photo ID
Your details have to match the ID you will carry on exam day. A discrepancy found at the door on the morning of the exam cannot be fixed there.
Pay the fee
โฑ1,800 for N3, N4 and N5, and โฑ2,200 for N1 and N2, through one of the methods the portal lists.
Upload your proof of payment
This is the step people forget, and it is the one that finalises the application. Paying without uploading the proof leaves you unregistered.
Wait for your admission ticket
The admission ticket (ๅ้จ็ฅจ / juken-hyล) arrives a few weeks before the exam with your venue, room and seat number. Print it. Nobody is admitted without it.
Teacher's Tips
- Uploading proof of payment is what completes your application. If you only remember one thing from this page, make it that.
- Manila fills fastest of the three. Cebu and Davao are usually easier if travelling is realistic for you.
- Treat the published closing date as a ceiling. JFMO states outright that it may close earlier when volume is excessive.
JLPT Registration FAQ โ Philippines
How do I register for the JLPT in the Philippines?+
Which cities in the Philippines offer the JLPT?+
How much does the JLPT cost in the Philippines?+
Can the JLPT registration window close before the announced deadline?+
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