Japanese authorities announced tuberculosis (TB) screening will be mandatory for nationals of certain countries who intend to enter for a medium- to long-term stay.

Key Points:

  • Japan will require a TB screening certificate for specific visa applicants, beginning with nationals of Nepal, the Philippines and Vietnam, and then expanding to nationals of China, Indonesia and Myanmar in the future.
  • TB screening will apply to nationals who intend to enter and stay as a “mid- to long-term resident,” excluding reentry permit holders or individuals under the digital nomad designated activities category.
  • Other individuals temporarily exempt from screening include:
    • Specified skilled foreign workers
    • Nurses and care workers accepted under Economic Partnership Agreements
    • Foreign students who enter under commissioned education and training programs
    • Other government-funded exchange programs, such as JET Program participants, and JICA trainees (both long-term and short-term)

Additional Information: For nationals of Nepal and the Philippines, the TB screening requirement is scheduled to begin on March 24. Testing for Vietnamese nationals is expected to start on May 26. The commencement date for China, Indonesia and Myanmar has not yet been scheduled. More information on obtaining the TB certificate and testing instructions can be found here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.