Japan has announced new mandatory tuberculosis (TB) screening requirements for certain foreign nationals applying for visas, with the latest phase scheduled to take effect on November 2, 2026.
The new requirement will apply to Indonesian nationals, who must undergo TB screening from November 2. Affected applicants will also have to submit a Tuberculosis Clearance Certificate with their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) applications starting January 4, 2027.
The screening policy was originally announced by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency in January 2025 and covers certain mid- and long-term visas, including Digital Nomad visas.
Under the rules, applicants must undergo a chest X-ray at a medical institution approved by the Japanese government in a designated country. The clearance certificate will remain valid for 180 days from the date of testing and may also be required when submitting a visa application at a Japanese consulate.
Japan previously announced a phased rollout of the requirement for nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, and Vietnam.
For applicants from the Philippines and Nepal, screening was initially scheduled to begin on March 24, 2025, with clearance certificates becoming mandatory for COE applications from June 23, 2025.
Similarly, testing for Vietnamese nationals was scheduled to start on May 26, 2025, followed by the certificate requirement on September 1, 2025. The implementation schedules for Indonesia, Myanmar, and China were initially left undecided, but the dates for Indonesia have now been confirmed.
However, certain visa categories are exempt from the requirement, including Specified Skilled Worker visas, government-funded exchange programs, and visas issued to nurses, social workers, and helpers under the Economic Partnership Agreement and other government programs.
Foreign residents returning to Japan with valid re-entry permits and individuals entering under programs that already require TB screening are also exempt.
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