What are the 2026 Japanese student visa changes?

Japan tightened two things. First, you now usually have to prove A1-level Japanese ability with a recognised test such as the JLPT, or with a check by the school, instead of just a study record. Second, schools have to watch students' part-time work more closely. The work checks have been in place since April 2026. The stronger language proof applies to renewals and change-of-status applications from 1 July 2026, and to new Certificate of Eligibility applications from the October 2026 intake.

When do the 2026 student visa rules take effect?

The stronger proof of Japanese ability comes in two stages: from 1 July 2026 for visa renewals and change-of-status applications made inside Japan, and from the October 2026 intake for new Certificate of Eligibility applications (the route most people use to enter Japan for the first time). The closer checks on part-time work are separate and have been in place since April 2026, so students studying now are affected too.

Do I need a JLPT certificate to get a student visa?

Not necessarily a certificate. You need proof of A1-level ability, and a recognised test such as the JLPT is the clearest way to show it. Many schools instead check your level through an exam or interview, and when they do, you don't need a study-hours record at all. What counts as proof varies by school, so confirm with yours before you apply.

How do the new part-time work rules affect students?

The 28-hour weekly limit hasn't changed, but since April 2026 schools track it more closely, checking your work permission, your employers, the kind of work you do, and your hours at least once every three months. If there's a problem, the school's first step is to advise you and get it fixed. Reporting to immigration is kept for serious cases, like an employer making you work too many hours. In short, it's more important than ever to stay within the limit and keep your paperwork in order.

Who is exempt from the new Japanese language proof?

The main exemption is for people whose nationality is on the Immigration Services Agency's published list of countries and regions and who have graduated from a university or similar institution abroad, with their graduation certificate submitted. This is about graduating outside Japan, not in Japan. Because each case is judged on its own, always confirm your situation with your chosen school.

Japanese Student Visa Changes 2026: What Language School Students Must Know

by Emily Johnson posted on 21 April 2026 · updated 2 July 2026

In 2026, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency made the rules stricter for students on a student visa, especially those going to a language school. Two things changed.

The first is closer checks on part-time work. This has been in place since April 2026, so it already affects students who are studying now.

The second is stronger proof that you can speak some Japanese. This comes in two stages. It applies to visa renewals and change-of-status applications from 1 July 2026, and to new Certificate of Eligibility applications from the October 2026 intake onward.

The goal is to make sure students are genuinely ready to study in Japan. The practical result is that the application is a bit more demanding than before. If you are studying, or planning to study, in Japan, this guide explains what changed, who it affects, and what to do about it.

What Changed in 2026

The system itself has not been rebuilt. You still apply through a school, you still get a Certificate of Eligibility, and the documents are much the same as before. What changed is how closely two things are checked: the proof you give of your Japanese ability, and how your part-time work is watched once you arrive. Both are explained below.

Stronger Proof of Japanese Ability

The level you need to reach is A1 on Japan’s Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education (the 日本語教育の参照枠, which lines up with the CEFR). A1 is basic, beginner-level Japanese. The level itself hasn’t changed. What changed is how you prove it.

Before, a study record of about 150 hours of Japanese was enough on its own. That is no longer the case. You now have to show A1 ability in one of two ways:

A recognised test result at A1 level or higher. The Immigration Services Agency publishes a list of Japanese tests it accepts as A1-level. The JLPT is the best known, but check the official list to see what counts. If you use a test result, you submit the certificate with your visa application, and this is true no matter which school you apply to.
A check by the school, through an exam or interview. If the school confirms your level this way, you do not need a study-hours record at all. The interview can be done online. But the school itself has to fill in the confirmation form: an agent or other third party cannot do it for you. One common method is asking ten questions at the level of the recognised tests and checking that you pass. Schools can use other methods too, as long as they are at least as demanding.

A recognised test is the clearest proof, and our guide to passing the JLPT N5 covers the test format and a study plan.

Closer Checks on Part-Time Work

You can still work up to 28 hours a week as a student. But since April 2026, schools have to check this more closely, and this part already applies to students studying now.

At least once every three months, your school checks four things: that you have permission to work, the names of all your employers, the kind of work you do, and how many hours you work each day. The school keeps a record of these checks.

These checks have real weight behind them. Employers file their own reports on foreign workers, and the Immigration Services Agency uses those reports to spot students working several jobs, then flags them to the school for closer checking. You can report your own hours to the school, but the school has to be able to explain to the agency how it keeps track.

That said, the first response to a problem is advice, not punishment. If something is wrong, the school is expected to guide you, get it fixed, and confirm it is sorted out. Reporting to immigration is kept for serious cases, for example an employer forcing you to work too many hours, or a student who does not improve after being warned.

So the 28-hour limit itself hasn’t moved, but going over it now matters more. If you plan to work while you study, it is worth knowing exactly how the limit is counted and how work permission works, which we cover in our guide to the 28-hour rule.

How This Fits the Wider Visa Process

These changes sit on top of the normal student visa route, they do not replace it. You still apply through a sponsoring school, the school still files for your Certificate of Eligibility, and you still have to show you can pay for your studies. For the full step-by-step process, read our student visa requirements and process guide. To plan the money side, see how much a language school costs, since proof of funds is still a core part of every application.

Who Is Affected and Who Is Exempt

The stronger Japanese-proof rules mainly affect people applying to a language school from the October 2026 intake onward, plus anyone renewing or changing status from 1 July 2026. They also cover Japanese-language programs attached to universities (日本語別科), not just standalone language schools, which is worth knowing if you are choosing between the two. The closer work checks are already in place, so students studying now are affected too.

There is one clear exemption from the language-proof rule. It applies if your nationality is on the agency’s published list of countries and regions and you have graduated from a university or similar higher-education institution abroad, and you hand in your graduation certificate. Note that this is about graduating outside Japan, not in Japan.

One more useful point for renewals: you do not have to submit the school’s confirmation form again if your school hasn’t changed since your last application. Because each case is judged on its own, the safest step is still to ask your chosen school exactly what they need from someone in your situation.

What You Should Do Now

The changes are manageable if you prepare. A few practical steps:

Aim for a recognised test result. Sitting the JLPT N5 (or higher) is the clearest proof and removes any doubt about meeting the requirement.
Check the exact requirements with your school. Schools differ in what they accept and whether they run their own interview, so ask early.
Keep your work within the limit. With closer checking, staying under 28 hours a week and keeping your permission in order protects your visa.
Start early. Give yourself extra time to prepare for and sit a test before your deadline.

When you are ready to apply, you can compare sponsoring schools by location and course in our school directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 2026 Japanese student visa changes?: Japan tightened two things. First, you now usually have to prove A1-level Japanese ability with a recognised test such as the JLPT, or with a check by the school, instead of just a study record. Second, schools have to watch students' part-time work more closely. The work checks have been in place since April 2026. The stronger language proof applies to renewals and change-of-status applications from 1 July 2026, and to new Certificate of Eligibility applications from the October 2026 intake.
When do the 2026 student visa rules take effect?: The stronger proof of Japanese ability comes in two stages: from 1 July 2026 for visa renewals and change-of-status applications made inside Japan, and from the October 2026 intake for new Certificate of Eligibility applications (the route most people use to enter Japan for the first time). The closer checks on part-time work are separate and have been in place since April 2026, so students studying now are affected too.
Do I need a JLPT certificate to get a student visa?: Not necessarily a certificate. You need proof of A1-level ability, and a recognised test such as the JLPT is the clearest way to show it. Many schools instead check your level through an exam or interview, and when they do, you don't need a study-hours record at all. What counts as proof varies by school, so confirm with yours before you apply.
How do the new part-time work rules affect students?: The 28-hour weekly limit hasn't changed, but since April 2026 schools track it more closely, checking your work permission, your employers, the kind of work you do, and your hours at least once every three months. If there's a problem, the school's first step is to advise you and get it fixed. Reporting to immigration is kept for serious cases, like an employer making you work too many hours. In short, it's more important than ever to stay within the limit and keep your paperwork in order.
Who is exempt from the new Japanese language proof?: The main exemption is for people whose nationality is on the Immigration Services Agency's published list of countries and regions and who have graduated from a university or similar institution abroad, with their graduation certificate submitted. This is about graduating outside Japan, not in Japan. Because each case is judged on its own, always confirm your situation with your chosen school.

In short, these rules add more oversight, but they are meant to help international students succeed in Japan. If you are already studying, sticking to the 28-hour work limit matters more than ever. If you are planning to apply, look past the old 150-hour study certificates and contact your chosen school early to confirm exactly what test or interview they need.

This article is a general overview, not legal advice. Immigration rules change and are applied case by case, so always confirm the current requirements with your chosen school and official sources, such as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, before you apply.