JLPT Exam Dates 2026: Registration Deadlines, Sign-Up Links, and What to Do Right Now
Two exam dates. Five levels. A registration window that closes faster than most people expect. Here’s everything you need to know to actually sit the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) 日本語能力試験 (にほんごのうりょくしけん) this year.
The short version: The JLPT runs on July 5, 2026 and December 6, 2026. Registration for the July sitting has already closed in most locations. If you’re based in the United States, the July exam isn’t offered to you at all. Your next realistic window is December 6, 2026, with registration opening in mid-August.
If you want the full picture with country-specific links, how the registration process actually works, and how to use the months before the exam, keep reading.
Table of Contents
2026 JLPT Dates at a Glance
| Session | Exam Date | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | Sunday, July 5 | March 2026 | Early April 2026 | August 2026 |
| December 2026 | Sunday, December 6 | ~August 2026 | ~September 2026 | Late January 2027 |
A few things worth knowing before you read further:
- July registration is already closed in Japan and most overseas locations. If you missed it, December is your next option.
- The US does not offer the July sitting. If you’re registering through jlpt.us, December 6 is the only date available to you this year.
- Exact registration open and close dates vary by country. The table above reflects Japan’s schedule and typical global patterns. Always confirm with your local organizer before planning.
July vs. December: Which Sitting Should You Target?
If you’re still deciding which exam cycle to aim for, here’s how to think about it.
The July sitting has fewer available locations globally, and as mentioned, isn’t available at all in the US or some smaller countries. It can work well if you have a specific deadline (a university application, a job offer, a visa renewal) that requires results before the end of the year. Results for the July exam come out in August 2026.
The December sitting is the more commonly taken option worldwide and is the only option in the US, most of Canada, and many European countries. It has the widest global availability and the most test center options. Results arrive in late January 2027.
There’s no meaningful difference in exam difficulty between sittings. The content follows the same format and scoring system year-round.
If you’re not working toward a specific deadline, December is the practical choice for most learners.
Registration by Country and Region
The JLPT is not centrally administered. The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) coordinate the global network, but each country runs its own registration system, has its own deadlines, and charges its own fees.
Japan
Registration is handled through the JEES online portal at jlpt.jp. The process is fully online: create an account, select your level and test city, upload a photo, and pay by credit card or convenience store payment (コンビニ払い).
- July 2026: Registration ran March 17 – April 7. Now closed.
- December 2026: Expected to open in August and close in September.
- Fee: Approximately ¥7,500 (all levels).
Note: There is a significant rule change in Japan for 2026. See the next section.
United States
The JLPT in the US is administered by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) through jlpt.us. Registration is done entirely online through that portal.
- July 2026: Not offered in the US.
- December 2026: Exam date is December 6. Registration is expected to open mid-August 2026. Detailed registration information will be posted at the end of July.
- Fee: Approximately $100 USD (varies slightly by test site).
- Test cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C., Houston, Honolulu, and others. Not all cities offer all five levels, so verify your level is available at your nearest site before registration opens.
The most important thing: Popular US test centers, particularly New York and Los Angeles, fill up within the first week or two after registration opens. Set a calendar reminder for mid-August and register on the first day the portal goes live.
Canada
- December sitting only for most cities.
- Administered by local universities and Japan Foundation offices. Search “JLPT Canada 2026” or contact the Japan Foundation Toronto or Vancouver for exact dates.
- Fee: Approximately $100 CAD.
United Kingdom
- Both July and December sittings available in major cities.
- Administered by the Japan Foundation London.
- Check japanfoundation.org.uk for registration dates and city availability.
Australia
- Both sittings available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and others.
- Administered by the Japan Foundation Sydney.
- Registration typically opens 2–3 months before each exam. Check jfmelbourne.org.au or japanfoundation.org.au.
Other Countries
If your country isn’t listed above, search for “JLPT [your country] 2026” and look for your national Japan Foundation office or the designated local test administrator. The official list of all overseas test cities is published at jlpt.jp/e/application/overseas_list.html.
Some countries offer only the December sitting and only at a single location. If you’re in a country with limited test availability, register early. Seats can fill quickly when options are restricted.
The 2026 Rule Change: Japan No Longer Accepts Tourists
Starting in 2026, taking the JLPT in Japan now requires proof of mid-to-long-term residency. Specifically, applicants must provide their 在留カード (residence card) number during registration.
According to the official announcement, the 2026 JLPT in Japan is intended for non-native Japanese speakers who are mid-to-long-term residents or special permanent residents. Tourists and short-term visitors are no longer eligible to take the exam in Japan.
This is a meaningful change. If you’re planning a trip to Japan and thought you could sit the exam there while abroad, that option is now closed. You’ll need to register through your home country’s JLPT organizer instead.
How to Register: Step by Step
The exact steps vary by country, but the general process looks like this:
- Find your local organizer: In the US, that’s jlpt.us. In Japan, it’s jlpt.jp. Everywhere else, search for your country’s Japan Foundation office or designated JLPT host.
- Create an account: You’ll need a valid email address and basic personal information. Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on the ID you plan to bring to the exam.
- Select your level and test location: Choose the level that matches your current ability. Not all test centers offer all five levels. Confirm your level is available at your chosen location before registration opens so you’re not scrambling on the day.
- Upload a photo: A passport-sized photo with a white background, taken within the last six months. Have this ready before you sit down to register. Hunting for a suitable photo during the registration window costs you time you don’t have.
- Pay the fee: Usually required at registration, non-refundable. If you don’t show up on exam day, the fee is lost. Payment methods vary by country: credit card is most common, but Japan also accepts convenience store payment.
- Save your confirmation: Your registration confirmation contains your registration number and passcode. You need these to download your admission ticket before the exam and to check your results after.
Common registration mistakes to avoid:
- Waiting until the final day. Registration systems often have traffic spikes on the last day. Submit early.
- Not verifying your level is available at your preferred test site. Find this out before registration opens, not after.
- Using a nickname or shortened name instead of your legal name. This creates problems on exam day when your ID doesn’t match.
- Assuming you can change your level after registering. Most test centers don’t allow this after the registration deadline passes.
How to Pick the Right Level {#picking-your-level}
If you’re uncertain which level to register for, here’s a rough guide.
| Level | Rough proficiency | Kanji required | Grammar points |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | Can understand basic phrases and simple texts | ~100 | ~80 |
| N4 | Can understand everyday conversation and basic writing | ~300 | ~170 |
| N3 | Can understand material encountered in everyday situations | ~600 | ~245 |
| N2 | Can understand material in a broad range of topics; required for most professional roles in Japan | ~1,000 | ~350 |
| N1 | Near-native comprehension of complex texts and conversation | ~2,000 | ~470 |
One practical rule: if you’re unsure whether you’re ready for a level, take a free practice test from the official JLPT website or a third-party resource before committing. Guessing at your level and registering for the wrong one wastes money, since fees are non-refundable.
Study Plans by Level for December 2026
With roughly seven months until December 6, here’s how to structure your preparation depending on your current level.
Targeting N5 or N4
Seven months is a comfortable runway for N5 and a solid window for N4 if you’re studying consistently. At these levels, structured input matters more than grinding grammar lists.
Spend the first three months building vocabulary and getting comfortable with hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. The second three months should focus on grammar patterns and regular practice tests. In the final month, do timed practice tests under real exam conditions and identify gaps.
Targeting N3
N3 is the level where many learners hit a wall. The vocabulary load increases significantly and the reading passages become less predictable. Seven months is enough time, but consistent daily work is non-negotiable.
Divide your preparation roughly in thirds: vocabulary and kanji (months 1 – 3), grammar and reading practice (months 3 – 5), listening and full mock tests (months 5 – 7). The Soumatome 総まとめ N3 series by ASK Publishing covers each skill section in a separate, focused workbook.
Is JLPT N3 worth it, or should you just go directly to N2?
Targeting N2
N2 is where preparation genuinely gets difficult. Seven months is a tight window if you’re coming from N3. If you’re at solid intermediate level and reading native material with some regularity, it’s achievable. If you’re still dependent on furigana for most kanji, consider sitting N3 in December and targeting N2 in 2027.
The 新完全マスター(しんかんぜんマスター) (Shin Kanzen Master) series is the standard recommendation for N2 and N1 preparation. Unlike lighter study guides, it doesn’t oversimplify. Each book in the series (grammar, reading, listening, vocabulary, kanji) is dense and reflects actual exam difficulty.
Pair Shin Kanzen Master with Bunpro for grammar SRS and you have a solid dual-track system: passive study of the textbook plus active recall through the app.
The JLPT N3 to N2 difficulty gap explained
Targeting N1
Seven months for N1 assumes you’re already at a strong N2 level with regular native content consumption. If you’re not already reading Japanese novels, watching native TV without subtitles, or working in a Japanese environment, N1 in December is almost certainly premature.
At N1 level, structured textbooks become less useful than consistent immersion combined with targeted gap-filling. The Shin Kanzen Master N1 series is still the best resource for exam-specific preparation, particularly for grammar and reading section strategies.
After You Register: What Happens Next
Once registration closes, here’s the timeline you’re working with for December 6:
- September–October: Study. No other updates from the JLPT in this window.
- ~2–3 weeks before December 6: Your admission ticket (test voucher) becomes available for download. Log into the portal you used to register, download it, and print it. Bring the printed voucher plus a valid photo ID to the exam. Forgetting either one means you can’t sit the exam, and there are no exceptions.
- December 6: Exam day. Arrive early. The test starts on time.
- Late January 2027: Results are published online through the official JLPT result portal. Use your registration number and passcode to check your score. Results are broken down by section (Language Knowledge, Reading, Listening), which is useful for understanding where you fell short if you don’t pass.
- 1 – 3 months after results: Physical certificates are mailed to your registered address. If you pass, the certificate doesn’t expire. It has permanent validity, though some employers and universities prefer recent test scores within the last two to three years.
If you don’t pass, your score report tells you exactly which section was the problem. That information is more valuable than the result itself, because it turns your next preparation cycle into a targeted one.
When does JLPT December 2026 registration open?
In most countries, registration for the December sitting opens around August or early September 2026. In the US specifically, AATJ has indicated registration is expected to open around mid-August. Detailed information will be posted at jlpt.us at the end of July. Set a calendar reminder now.
Is there a July 2026 JLPT in the United States?
No. The JLPT is only offered once per year in the US, in December. The July sitting is available in Japan and a smaller number of overseas locations, but not in the US, Canada, or most European countries.
Can I take the JLPT in Japan as a tourist?
No, not in 2026. A rule change this year requires applicants to provide a Japanese residence card number during registration. The exam in Japan is now reserved for mid-to-long-term residents. Register through your home country’s JLPT organizer instead.
How much does the JLPT cost?
Fees vary significantly by country. In Japan, it costs approximately ¥7,500 regardless of level. In the US and Canada, expect to pay around $100 USD. Fees are non-refundable: if you miss the exam, you lose the registration fee and need to re-register for the next session.
Can I change my level after registering?
In most cases, no. Once the registration deadline passes, level and location changes are not permitted. In Japan specifically, changes are allowed up until the registration close date, but not after. Choose carefully before submitting.
What happens if I fail?
Nothing permanent. The JLPT has no limit on the number of times you can attempt it. Your score report will show how you performed in each section, which is the most useful information for planning your next attempt. Registration for the next sitting opens on its usual schedule regardless of your result.
When will JLPT December 2026 results be available?
Results for the December 6 exam are expected in late January 2027. You’ll check them online through the official JLPT result portal using your registration number and passcode. Physical score certificates arrive by mail in the weeks following online publication.
Does the JLPT certificate expire?
No. JLPT certificates have no expiration date. However, some employers and graduate programs prefer to see recent test scores, typically within two to three years of your application. Check the specific requirements of whatever you’re using the certificate for.
The December 6 exam is around seven months away. Registration opens in August. The most common mistake is assuming you have plenty of time and then scrambling when the registration window closes faster than expected, or discovering your preferred test site has filled up.
Mark August on your calendar now, figure out which site you’ll use, and confirm your level is available there. The prep side can wait a few more weeks. The logistical side is worth sorting today.
