How to Register for the JLPT Outside Japan
The JLPT is held in cities all over the world, not just in Japan. But registration outside Japan works a little differently from country to country, and every year some learners miss their chance simply because applications closed earlier than they expected. Here is how JLPT registration works if you live in the US, the UK, Europe, Australia or anywhere else outside Japan, and how to plan your studies around it.
When the JLPT is held
The JLPT is usually held twice a year, on the first Sunday of July and the first Sunday of December. Outside Japan, not every city offers both. Many test sites hold the exam only once a year, often in December, and some levels may not be offered at every site. Check your nearest site before you choose a target date.
Who runs the test outside Japan
The JLPT is organised by the Japan Foundation and, in Japan, by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES). Outside Japan, each test site is run by a local host institution, often a university, a Japanese cultural centre or a teachers’ association. That local organisation sets the registration dates, the fee, how you apply and how you receive your results.
The official JLPT website has a list of overseas test sites by country and city, with links to each host institution. That list is the safest place to start; unofficial sites can carry out-of-date information.
Registration step by step
- Choose your level. You can only sit one level per session, and you usually can’t change it after you apply. If you are unsure, see JLPT levels explained.
- Find your test site. Look up your country and city on the official list of overseas test sites. Check which sessions and levels it offers.
- Note the application window. Applications typically open three to five months before the test and stay open for only a few weeks. Some sites close early when seats run out.
- Apply and pay. Most sites now use an online form. Fees are set locally and vary by country.
- Get your test voucher. You will receive an admission ticket or test voucher before the exam, by post or email depending on the site. Check that your name, level and photo (if required) are correct.
A timeline that works
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 9–12 months before | Choose your target level and session. Start a study plan. |
| 6 months before | Check your test site’s announced dates. Set a calendar reminder for when applications open. |
| 3–5 months before | Register as soon as the window opens. Do a practice test to check you are on track. |
| Final 6–8 weeks | Timed practice tests and focused work on weak sections. |
| Test week | Check your voucher, the venue and the start time. Rest the night before. |
Things that catch people out
- Missing the window. The application period is short and comes long before the test. Mark it in your calendar as soon as it is announced.
- Assuming both sessions run locally. If your city only holds the test in December, a July plan won’t work, unless you are willing to travel.
- Travelling to another country. You can usually sit the test in another country, but you must apply through that site’s host institution and meet its rules. Some learners plan a trip to Japan around the July test.
- Photo ID. Bring the ID your site asks for. Without it you may not be allowed in.
- Results take time. Results usually come out around two months after the test, and paper certificates can take longer to arrive. If you need N2 or N1 for a job or visa application, build that wait into your plans.
Plan your study around the date
Once you know your test date, you can work backwards. Decide what you need to cover each month, schedule a full practice test at the halfway point, and leave the last few weeks for exam technique. Our study plans for N5, N4, N2 and N1 give a structure to follow, and our test day guide covers what to bring.
Dates, fees and procedures change from year to year and differ between host institutions, so always confirm the details with your local test site before you apply.