Contents
Key points
- On October 14, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) added two Japanese tests to the list of proofs of CEFR B2-level Japanese for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (ESI) status.
- The new options are an EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission) Japanese score of 200 or more (reading, listening and listening-reading combined) and a JPT score of 525 or more.
- JLPT N2, BJT 400 and the other existing routes are still accepted. Nothing else in the rule has changed.
- The change comes while the JLPT is hard to get into: for the December 2026 test in Japan, N1 and N2 applications closed about a week after they opened.
- The proof matters mainly for language-based, people-facing jobs (such as interpreting, translation or hotel front desk work), especially with Category 3 or 4 employers.
1. What changed
Since April 15, 2026, the ISA has expected people who work on the ESI status mainly by using a language with other people to have language ability at around CEFR B2. The ISA’s guideline on this point (Attachment 4 of its ESI clarification guidelines) lists the documents that show you have this level. For more background on the April rule, see our article ESI visa 2026: key changes at a glance.
On October 14, 2026, the ISA updated this attachment and added two Japanese tests:
- EJU (日本留学試験): a score of 200 or more in Japanese, counting the total of reading, listening and listening-reading. The separate writing (essay) score is not part of this total.
- JPT (JPT日本語能力試験): a score of 525 or more.
The ISA sent out a notice about the update by email on October 23, 2026.
2. The full list of accepted proofs of Japanese
If you meet any one of the following, the ISA treats you as having CEFR B2-level Japanese:
| Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| JLPT | N2 or higher |
| BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test | 400 points or more |
| EJU (new) | 200 points or more in Japanese (reading, listening and listening-reading combined) |
| JPT (new) | 525 points or more |
| Long residence | 20 years or more in Japan as a mid- to long-term resident |
| Education in Japan | Graduated from a Japanese university, or completed a college of technology (kosen) or a vocational school course (senmon gakko) in Japan* |
| School in Japan | Completed compulsory education in Japan and graduated from a Japanese high school |
3. Who needs to submit proof
The rule is about jobs where you mainly use a language with other people, such as interpreting and translation, or customer service at a hotel front desk. If your job is mainly engineering, IT or accounting and you use a language only now and then, it is generally not covered.
- COE, change of status and acquisition of status: if your employer is Category 3 or 4, submit the proof with your application. With a Category 1 or 2 employer, the ISA may still ask for it during the review.
- Extension of period of stay: the proof is needed if your work has changed to this kind of language-based work (for example, after a job change or a new role). If you are continuing the same kind of work as before, you do not need to submit it, but the ISA may ask for it.
For the general requirements of this status, see our ESI visa page.
4. Why this matters now: JLPT seats are running out
Until now, most people proved their Japanese with the JLPT. But the JLPT is held only twice a year (July and December), and in Japan it has become very hard to get a seat.
- December 2026 test: the organizer in Japan (JEES) moved the application period to August 24 – September 7, explaining that a sharp rise in applicants had made it very difficult to secure test venues. Applications for N1 and N2 closed at noon on August 31, about a week after they opened, with no second round. N3 was reopened only in Tokyo and Osaka on September 2, and all applications closed on September 3, before the planned deadline.
- July 2026 test: according to material submitted to a government regulatory reform working group in April 2026, N3 applications closed on March 27, although the deadline had been April 7.
- According to the official JLPT data, about 1.47 million people took the JLPT in 2024 (in Japan and abroad), compared with about 570,000 in 2013. In 2025, the number rose to about 1.65 million.
Demand keeps growing because more statuses of residence now look at Japanese ability, including the ESI rule above and the Specified Skilled Worker system. The government is considering ways to increase testing opportunities, such as more JLPT sessions, but as of the date of this article, no additional JLPT sessions have been announced.
Note
The ISA’s notice does not give a reason for adding the EJU and the JPT. The JLPT shortage described above is the situation in which the change was made, not an explanation from the ISA.
5. Who benefits, and points to check
Students who have already taken the EJU
The EJU is the test that international students take to enter Japanese universities. It has been held since 2002, in June and November, in Japan and abroad. Many students at Japanese language schools have taken it but do not have JLPT N2. If your Japanese score (reading, listening and listening-reading combined) is 200 or more, you can now use it as proof. Keep your score report.
Note that the EJU is also held only twice a year. It is mainly useful if you have already taken it, not as a quick way to get a score.
People who could not get a JLPT seat
The JPT is another option. Check the test dates and venues on the official JPT website, and allow time for receiving your score certificate before you apply.
Points to check
- A test score is not enough on its own. The ISA also checks whether the job really needs this work, whether there is enough of it, and whether your education matches the job. Refusals for “interpreting” jobs that were really simple customer service still happen.
- This change applies to the ESI language rule only. It does not change the Japanese requirements for other statuses, such as Designated Activities (No. 46) or Specified Skilled Worker.
6. Languages other than Japanese: no change
If your job mainly uses another language, such as English or Chinese, the rules are the same as before. You meet the requirement if it is your native language or an official language of your country, or if a test shows CEFR B2 or higher (only tests that show a CEFR level on the certificate or official website). If neither applies, you need to explain a reasonable basis, such as having studied at a university in a country where the language is an official language.
7. What to do now
- Check with your employer whether your job is mainly language-based, people-facing work, and which category the employer is in.
- Look at the list in Section 2 and find the route that fits you. If you already have an EJU or JPT score, find the original score report.
- If you need a new test, apply as early as possible. JLPT seats in Japan can close within days.
- Plan your application date so that your result arrives in time, especially if your period of stay expires soon. See also our pages on change of status and extension of period of stay.
Sources
- Immigration Services Agency, “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” application page (Japanese)
- Immigration Services Agency, “Clarification of the status of residence ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services'” (Attachment 4 updated October 14, 2026) (Japanese)
- JLPT, Past test data (Japanese)
- JEES, Application period for the 2nd JLPT in 2026 (Japanese)
- JEES, About application for the 2nd JLPT in 2026 (December): N1 and N2 (Japanese)
- JEES, Notice about reopening of N3 (Tokyo and Osaka) (Japanese)
- Cabinet Office, Regulatory Reform Promotion Council working group (April 7, 2026), Material 2-1 submitted by the Japan Association of New Economy (Japanese, PDF)
- JASSO, About the EJU (Japanese)
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only and is not legal advice on any individual case. The information is based on sources available as of October 23, 2026. Laws, guidelines and their application may change without notice. TKG Immigration Consulting Office accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this information. In case of any difference between our English descriptions and the original Japanese texts, the Japanese texts prevail.