Japan Long-Stay Visas: Indonesian Applicants Need TB Clearance From Nov 2026

Japan is extending its Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS) programme to Indonesian nationals, adding a medical step to long-term visa applications. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) says screening at designated medical institutions in Indonesia is scheduled to start on 2 November 2026, and a TB Clearance Certificate becomes mandatory for applicable applications from 4 January 2027.

Key facts

• Screening in Indonesia begins 2 November 2026
• Certificate submission becomes mandatory 4 January 2027
• Mainly Indonesian nationals planning to reside in Japan medium to long term
• Examination includes a chest X-ray at a Japanese government-designated institution in Indonesia
• Certificate is generally valid for 180 days from the X-ray date
• Screening costs are paid by the applicant

Who is affected?

The requirements generally cover Indonesian nationals planning to reside in Japan for the medium to long term. Applicants entering under the designated activities status for digital nomads, along with their spouses or children, are also covered.

Short-term visitors entering under the "Temporary Visitor" status are generally exempt. The MHLW notes that other exemptions may apply depending on the applicant's circumstances and supporting documents.

What does the screening involve?

Applicants subject to JPETS must complete a medical examination, including a chest X-ray, at a Japanese government-designated medical institution in Indonesia. If no active tuberculosis is detected, the institution issues a TB Clearance Certificate.

That certificate must be submitted with an application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), or with a visa application made directly at a Japanese diplomatic mission without first obtaining a COE. The certificate is generally valid for 180 days from the date of the chest X-ray, and applicants pay their own screening costs.

When do the new rules start?

Screening is scheduled to open on 2 November 2026, but certificate submission only becomes mandatory for applicable COE and visa applications from 4 January 2027. Requirements may differ depending on when an application is filed: special rules may apply to applicants who submit COE applications before 4 January 2027.

The MHLW states that these are scheduled dates and may be subject to change.

What this means for travellers

Indonesian nationals preparing to move to Japan, and employers recruiting them, should first confirm whether the applicant falls under JPETS. The MHLW advises checking the latest list of designated medical institutions in Indonesia, allowing enough time for the examination and certificate to be issued, and coordinating the screening with the planned COE or visa application.

The published dates remain subject to change, so applicants should watch for further official announcements before filing immigration applications.