JLPT 2026 registration windows are short — most countries give you 3 to 4 weeks, then close hard. Miss the deadline and you wait six months. This guide lists the exact registration windows for every major country running the JLPT in 2026, plus the new residency rule that just changed who can sit the test in Japan.
New for 2026: Japan Residency Required
JLPT 2026 Test Dates
Jul 5, 2026
First Sitting
Registration: ~Mar 2026
Dec 6, 2026
Second Sitting
Registration: ~Aug–Sep 2026
3–4 weeks
Typical Window
Then it closes - no late entry
Both 2026 sittings fall on the first Sunday of their month, as always. The window between when registration opens and when it closes is what varies dramatically by country - and so does the system you register through.
July 2026 Registration Deadlines (By Country)
| Country / Region | Window (Open – Close) | Where to Register |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Mar 17 – Apr 7, 2026 | MyJLPT (jlpt.jp) |
| India (Chennai, Karur) | Mar 1 – Mar 31, 2026 | JALTRA |
| India (New Delhi) | Early Mar 2026 | MOSAI |
| India (Pune) | Early Mar 2026 | JALTAP |
| India (Kolkata, Bengaluru) | Early–Mid Mar 2026 | Regional organizer |
| United Kingdom (Leicester) | Mar 2026 – Mar 24, 2026 | University of Leicester |
| France (Paris) | Through Mar 19, 2026 (5pm) | Inalco |
| Germany | ~Mar 2026 (4-week window) | Local Japan Foundation office |
| Singapore | Mar 9 – Mar 27, 2026 | Japanese Cultural Society |
| Australia | Mar 5 – Mar 25, 2026 | Local university test centers |
| Philippines | Early Mar – late Mar 2026 | PFJL |
| South Africa | Through Mar 31, 2026 | Embassy of Japan |
| United States | Late Mar – early Apr 2026 | AATJ regional centers |
| Canada | ~Mar 2026 | Local university organizers |
JLPT July 2026 Registration Windows by Country
Why Dates Vary So Much
December 2026 Registration (Preview)
Registration for the December 6, 2026 sitting opens roughly 3 months before the exam. Based on the consistent pattern across recent years, here's what to expect:
| Region | Expected Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Aug 25 – Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | Confirmed dates published in July 2026 |
| India | Aug – Sep 2026 | Same regional organizers as July |
| UK / Europe | Sep 2026 (4-week window) | Universities reopen registration after summer |
| Southeast Asia | Aug – Sep 2026 | Often opens earliest - watch for first-day announcements |
| North America | Sep 2026 | AATJ posts dates by July |
| Australia / Oceania | Aug – Sep 2026 | Aligns with Japanese university calendar |
JLPT December 2026 Expected Registration Windows
How JLPT Registration Works (Step by Step)
Find Your Host Institution
Do this 1–2 months before registration opensLook up your country on jpf.go.jp - they maintain the official global list of JLPT host institutions. Each country uses a different portal. There is no single 'global' registration site outside Japan.
Create Your Account
2–4 weeks before openingIn Japan: register at MyJLPT (jlpt.jp) and verify by email. Outside Japan: create an account on your host institution's portal. Account verification can take days - never wait until registration day.
Prepare Your Documents
Weeks before openingHave a digital passport-style photo (3×4 cm, white background, taken within 6 months), valid photo ID, payment method, and (for Japan) your residence card number ready before the window opens.
Register on Day 1
First day window opensSet an alarm. Popular centers - Tokyo, Osaka, Delhi, Manila, Hanoi, London - sell out within hours. Have 2–3 backup test centers identified before you open the registration page.
Pay Within the Window
Same session as registrationYou cannot reserve a seat and pay later. Have your payment method ready. Some portals have aggressive session timeouts. Card payments are most common; some countries also accept bank transfer or convenience store payment.
Wait for Your Test Voucher
~2 weeks before examYour test voucher (受験票) arrives by mail 2–3 weeks before the exam. It confirms your test center, room, and seat. If it doesn't arrive by 10 days before exam day, contact your host institution immediately.
Country Notes: What's Different Where
Japan
MyJLPT only. New residency requirement - must input residence card number. Highest test center density. Tokyo and Osaka centers fill within hours of opening.
¥7,500 (all levels)
India
Six regional organizers (JALTRA, MOSAI, JALTAP, etc.) handle registration separately. Different cities have different windows. Demand exploded in 2025 - register Day 1.
₹1,558 – ₹2,142
United States
AATJ runs JLPT in the US through partner universities. Centers in major cities. Opens latest among major countries (late March), closes early April.
$60 (flat fee)
United Kingdom
Run by SOAS (London) and University of Leicester. Tight 3-week windows. London center fills first; Leicester is the reliable backup.
£60–75
Vietnam
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Among the highest-demand markets globally - centers can sell out in under 24 hours. Set multiple alarms.
540,000–720,000 VND
Indonesia
Jakarta and Surabaya. Cheapest fees globally. The Japan Foundation Jakarta runs registration. Massive demand - first-come, first-served closes fast.
Rp 150,000–200,000
Brazil
São Paulo and Curitiba run twice yearly to serve the large Japanese-descended community. Run by Aliança Cultural Brasil-Japão.
R$170–200
Australia
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth via partner universities. 3-week window (Mar 5–25 for July 2026). Smaller demand than Asia, but still register early.
AUD $80–100
Most Common Registration Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Assuming registration is global. It's not. Each country has its own portal, its own deadline, its own payment method. Find your host institution before the window opens.
- Waiting for the second week. In high-demand countries (Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Japan), Day 1 is often the only realistic chance for popular centers.
- Photo rejection. Wrong size, wrong background, blurry, or with a hat - all cause rejection. Take and crop your photo before registration day.
- Wrong residence card number (Japan only). As of 2026, Japan checks the residence card number against immigration records. A typo means your registration is rejected.
- Picking the wrong level. You cannot change levels after registering. Use free practice tests to confirm before committing.
- Forgetting time zones. If you're registering in a country whose host institution opens registration at 'midnight JST' (e.g., Japan), that may be afternoon or evening for you.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
There is no late registration for the JLPT. Anywhere. If you miss your country's deadline, your options are:
- Register for the next sitting. Miss July? Register in August/September for December. Miss December? Register in March for July.
- Travel to a country with a later deadline. Some test-takers in tight markets register in a neighboring country and travel for the exam.
- Take an alternative test in the meantime. The J-Test or NAT-Test run more frequently and can validate your level for some employers and schools.
- Wait and prepare harder. Not the worst outcome - more prep time often means a higher pass margin.
Get the Most Recent Dates from the Source
JLPT 2026 Registration: Quick Action Plan
- July 2026 exam: register in March (most countries close by early April)
- December 2026 exam: register August–September
- Japan now requires residency proof - tourists can no longer take the JLPT in Japan
- Each country has its own host institution and deadline - find yours early
- Day 1 registration is critical in high-demand markets
- There is no late registration. Miss it and you wait 6 months.
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