Japan Sets Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening Dates for Indonesian Visa

Japan Sets Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening Dates for Indonesian Visa Seekers

Japan's Immigration Services Agency introduced compulsory tuberculosis screening rules for specific foreign visa categories, starting with Indonesia.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 22, 2026 · 4:45 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

Japan announced mandatory tuberculosis screening for certain foreign visa applicants starting November 2, 2026.

Indonesian applicants must undergo screening from November 2, 2026, and submit clearance certificates from January 4, 2027.

The policy applies to mid- and long-term visas, including Digital Nomad visas, as outlined by the Immigration Services Agency.

Exemptions include Specified Skilled Worker visas, government-funded exchange programs, and returning foreign residents with valid re-entry permits.

Japan stated that new compulsory tuberculosis screening policies will impact specific foreign citizens seeking visas, with the next phase launching on November 2, 2026.

Indonesian citizens face this mandatory testing starting November 2, and impacted individuals must present a Tuberculosis Clearance Certificate alongside Certificate of Eligibility filings beginning January 4, 2027.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan first revealed this policy in January 2025, affecting specific mid-term and long-term visas like Digital Nomad permits.

Rules mandate that candidates complete a chest X-ray at a Japanese government-approved clinic within a designated nation. The clearance document stays valid for 180 days from testing and might be requested during visa submissions at a Japanese consulate.

Earlier, Japan revealed a phased implementation timeline targeting citizens of the Philippines, Nepal, and Vietnam.

Screening for individuals from the Philippines and Nepal was first set to launch on March 24, 2025, with clearance documents becoming compulsory for Certificate of Eligibility requests starting June 23, 2025.

Testing for Vietnamese citizens was set for May 26, 2025, and the document rule followed on September 1, 2025. While timelines for Indonesia, Myanmar, and China remained undecided initially, authorities now confirmed dates for Indonesia.

Specific visa types remain excluded from the mandate, such as Specified Skilled Worker permits, state-supported exchange initiatives, and visas granted to nurses, helpers, and social workers through the Economic Partnership Agreement and other state initiatives.

Foreign residents coming back to Japan with active re-entry permits and people arriving through initiatives already demanding tuberculosis tests are also excluded.

Questions and answers

When does the tuberculosis screening requirement start for Indonesian nationals?

Indonesian nationals must undergo tuberculosis screening starting November 2, 2026, and submit a Tuberculosis Clearance Certificate with Certificate of Eligibility applications from January 4, 2027.

Which visa categories are exempt from the new testing requirement?

Exemptions apply to Specified Skilled Worker visas, government-funded exchange programs, certain medical and care worker programs, returning residents with valid re-entry permits, and programs already requiring tuberculosis screening.