Japan Expands Pre-Arrival Tuberculosis Screening Requirements for Foreign Nationals

• Japan has expanded its pre-arrival tuberculosis (TB) screening program, requiring certain long-term visa applicants from additional high-incidence countries, including Indonesia, to submit a certificate confirming they do not have active TB before obtaining immigration approval.  

Pre-Arrival Tuberculosis Screening 

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare updated guidance on the country’s pre-arrival tuberculosis screening program on Sept. 25, 2026. The program is intended to reduce the entry of individuals with active tuberculosis and applies to certain foreign nationals seeking medium- to long-term residence in Japan. 

Additional Countries Covered by Screening Program 

The TB screening requirement currently applies to nationals of: 

• the Philippines; 
• Vietnam; 
• Indonesia; 
• Nepal; 
• Myanmar; and 
• China.  

These countries were identified because they account for a significant proportion of foreign-born TB cases reported in Japan.  

Mandatory Certificate of Non-TB Infection 

Affected applicants must submit a certificate confirming they do not have active tuberculosis. The certificate must be issued by a medical institution designated by the Japanese government following an approved screening examination.  

• The requirement may apply during: 
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) applications; 
• Visa applications at Japanese consular posts; or 
• Other qualifying long-term visa application processes.  

Indonesia Implementation Timeline Announced 

Japan plans to begin accepting TB screening examinations in Indonesia on Nov. 2, 2026, with submission of a TB clearance certificate expected to become mandatory on Jan. 4, 2027.  

Implementation dates for Myanmar and China are still under development and will be announced at a later time.  

Who is Exempt? 

Certain categories of travelers are temporarily exempt from the screening requirement, including: 

• JET Programme participants; 
• Certain Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) trainees and scholarship recipients; 
• Some government-sponsored students; 
• EPA-based nurse and care worker programs; 
• Specified Skilled Worker visa holders; and 
• Certain other designated immigration categories.  

Additionally, nationals of the listed countries who can demonstrate residence in a country or region outside the designated countries may be exempt.

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