Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS): Who Needs a TB Clearance Certificate?
Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS): Who Needs a TB Clearance Certificate?
Certain foreign nationals from target countries who intend to stay in Japan for a medium- to long-term period may need to undergo TB screening at a designated Panel Clinic and submit a TB Clearance Certificate when applying for a Certificate of Eligibility or a visa.
日本語ページはこちら： 入国前結核スクリーニング（JPETS）とは？
- What JPETS is
- Target countries and applicants
- When a TB Clearance Certificate must be submitted
- Validity period and designated Panel Clinics
- Practical points for COE and visa applications
１．What is JPETS?
JPETS stands for Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening. It is a pre-entry TB screening system for certain foreign nationals who intend to enter Japan from target countries and stay in Japan for a medium- to long-term period.
Applicants subject to JPETS must undergo a medical examination and chest X-ray at a designated Panel Clinic. If the applicant is found not to have active tuberculosis, the Panel Clinic issues a TB Clearance Certificate.
If JPETS applies, the TB Clearance Certificate must be submitted when applying for a Certificate of Eligibility, or when applying for a visa without obtaining a COE.
２．Target countries and applicants
The target countries are the Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, and China. However, as of May 12, 2026, the starting dates for Indonesia, Myanmar, and China have not yet been determined.
| Target country | Start of TB screening | Start of certificate submission requirement |
|---|---|---|
| The Philippines | March 24, 2025 | June 23, 2025 |
| Nepal | March 24, 2025 | June 23, 2025 |
| Viet Nam | May 26, 2025 | September 1, 2025 |
| Indonesia | To be announced | To be announced |
| Myanmar | To be announced | To be announced |
| China | To be announced | To be announced |
Who may be subject to JPETS?
JPETS mainly applies to nationals of the target countries who intend to enter and stay in Japan as mid- to long-term residents. Re-entry permit holders are excluded.
The system also applies to certain applicants under Designated Activities, including Digital Nomad and the spouse or child of a Digital Nomad.
Even if the applicant is a national of a target country, the actual requirement may depend on the current country of residence, visa category, application route, and whether the person is entering Japan for the first time or re-entering with a re-entry permit.
３．Where should applicants undergo TB screening?
Applicants must undergo TB screening at a designated Panel Clinic located in the target country. A certificate issued by a non-designated medical facility may not be accepted as an official TB Clearance Certificate.
The official JPETS website states that, to apply for a COE or a visa, applicants must undergo TB screening at a designated Panel Clinic and submit the official TB Clearance Certificate issued by that clinic.
４．Screening and application flow
- Check whether JPETS applies to the applicant
- Find a designated Panel Clinic in the target country
- Make an appointment with the Panel Clinic
- Present a valid passport for identity verification
- Undergo a medical examination and chest X-ray
- Undergo a sputum test if required by the doctor
- Receive a TB Clearance Certificate if cleared of active TB
- Submit the certificate when applying for a COE or visa
５．Validity period of the TB Clearance Certificate
In principle, the TB Clearance Certificate is valid for 180 days from the date of the chest X-ray. However, the validity period may be reduced to 90 days in certain cases, such as recent close contact with a person diagnosed with infectious pulmonary TB.
If the certificate is obtained too early, it may expire before submission. If it is obtained too late, the COE or visa application schedule may be delayed. The timing should be carefully managed based on the intended application date and entry schedule.
６．Practical points for COE and visa applications
Applicant
Check the applicant’s nationality, current country of residence, intended entry date, visa category, appointment availability, and expected certificate issuance date.
Employer or host institution
Confirm whether the planned start date, school admission date, or hosting schedule is consistent with the expected screening and application timeline.
Documents
Confirm that the certificate was issued by a designated Panel Clinic and that it remains valid at the time of application.
Immigration review
The applicant’s target-country status, application timing, authenticity of the certificate, and consistency with the application route may be reviewed.
Falsification or fraudulent use of a certificate may seriously affect the COE or visa application. Applicants should always follow the official procedure through a designated Panel Clinic.
７．Common misunderstandings
Misunderstanding １｜All nationals of target countries always need JPETS
Not always. Short-term stay, re-entry with a valid re-entry permit, current country of residence, and other factors may affect whether JPETS applies.
Misunderstanding ２｜Any hospital certificate is acceptable
In principle, the official TB Clearance Certificate must be issued by a designated Panel Clinic.
Misunderstanding ３｜The certificate can be obtained at any time before the COE application
The certificate has a validity period. The timing of screening must be managed together with the application schedule.
Misunderstanding ４｜Indonesia, Myanmar, and China are already fully covered
As of May 12, 2026, the starting dates for Indonesia, Myanmar, and China have not yet been determined. Applicants should check the latest official information.
８．Official information
We can support your COE or visa application, including JPETS document checks
Tommy’s Legal Service supports applications for Certificates of Eligibility, work visas, Dependent visas, Student visas, Business Manager visas, and other immigration procedures. We can also help check whether JPETS applies to your case.
