JFT Basic Validity, Certificate and Score Report: What You Get

Your JFT-Basic result does not expire. The Japan Foundation says plainly that results have no expiration date. The official proof is a result notification that you download from Prometric's My Page within 5 business days and print yourself. There is no separate certificate in the post. The one real deadline: the data stays online for only 5 years, so save it now.

This article goes deeper than our result guide, which covers when the result arrives and how to read it. Here we focus on the paperwork: which document is which, what immigration asks for, and what to do when something goes missing.

Does the JFT Basic result expire?

No. The official FAQ says JFT-Basic results do not have an expiration date. A result from 2023 proves your level as well as one from last week.

People mix up three different time limits. Only one of them is real:

If an agent tells you that your result has "expired", ask them which official page says so. Then show them the Japan Foundation's FAQ.

Only the A2.2 band, a total of 200 or more, meets the Japanese requirement for SSW (i). If your report shows a lower band, the retake date calculator gives your earliest next test.

Score report, certificate, result PDF: which is which?

Candidates use many names for the same thing. Here is what really exists.

So when an employer asks for your "JFT Basic certificate", they mean the printed result notification. In Japanese immigration document lists, it appears as a proof of passing (合格証明書) with the name 判定結果通知書 in brackets.

How to download your JFT Basic result PDF

The steps are short: log in to My Page on Prometric's JFT-Basic site, open the result notification, and save or print it. Our result guide walks through each screen. Three details that guide doesn't cover:

• Use Google Chrome to print. Prometric links to its own help page called "Steps to print a Google Chrome result notification". If the layout breaks in another browser, switch to Chrome.
• Your name appears exactly as you registered it. Prometric shows your details on the Confirmation Letter and the result notification just as they are in your Prometric ID. That is why your ID must match your passport when you register.
• A hyphen in an empty name field is normal. If you have no family name or no given name, Prometric prints a "-" in the blank. It says this is not an error and needs no correction.

Confirmation letter vs result notification

These two Prometric documents look similar and come from the same account, so people confuse them.

The Confirmation Letter belongs to the booking. You print it after you choose your date, centre and time and pay. On test day you show it together with your original photo ID. Prometric adds that you can still open it when the booking site is busy and you can't log in. After the test, its job is done.

The result notification belongs to the result. It appears only after you sit the test. It is the document for employers, sending agencies and immigration.

A simple test: if the paper shows a score, it is the result. If it shows a test time and centre address, it is the Confirmation Letter. Never send the Confirmation Letter as proof of your Japanese.

What does the SSW visa application need?

For Specified Skilled Worker (i), you need proof of two things: Japanese and skills for your field. The JFT-Basic covers only the first.

The Immigration Services Agency publishes a document list for each SSW field. For the Japanese requirement, the lists we checked ask for a copy of one of these:

1. the JFT-Basic result notification, or
2. a JLPT certificate at N4 or higher.

You do not need both. Someone who completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in good standing does not need to submit the test results, but must submit proof of that completion. Your employer or registered support organisation usually puts the application together. Always follow the latest list for your field, because the lists are updated. Nursing Care also needs a separate care Japanese test.

Remember that a 200+ result is a requirement, not a visa. Prometric's page says it does not guarantee a visa or a residence status. Immigration reviews the whole application. The JFT-Basic and SSW guide covers the full route, and the SSW fields guide lists the skills tests.

Lost your JFT Basic score report?

Don't panic. In most cases you can print it again.

1. Log in to My Page again

   The notification stays on the registration site for 5 years after your test. Open it and print a new copy.

2. Forgot your Prometric ID or password?

   Use the reset links on Prometric's login page. The Japan Foundation does not manage Prometric accounts, so ask Prometric, not the Foundation.

3. The notification is not there

   Contact Prometric's customer service from its JFT-Basic page. Have your name, date of birth and test date ready.

4. More than 5 years have passed

   The official pages do not say whether a notification can be reissued after the data is deleted. Contact Prometric and ask. This is the best reason to keep your own copies from day one.

Can an employer or immigration check my result?

Yes, in two ways.

The Japan Foundation answers authenticity checks. Government bodies, schools and companies with a proper reason can ask it whether a result notification is genuine, through the inquiry form on the JFT-Basic site. It does not answer by phone.

Immigration can look up pass or fail. Prometric's terms and conditions say the Immigration Services Agency runs a website to check JFT-Basic pass information. It searches by exam number and date of birth, and it shows only whether the person passed.

So a changed score, a fake PDF or someone else's report will be found. The terms also say that results can be cancelled for misconduct, including results from past tests. If anyone then asks about a cancelled result, the Japan Foundation tells them it is invalid. Never edit your notification, and never buy a "guaranteed result" from anyone.

Test yourself: result myths

Key takeaways

• The JFT-Basic result has no expiry. The 5-year limit is only for the online data.
• The result notification is the score report, the certificate and the PDF: one document.
• The Confirmation Letter is for test day only.
• For SSW (i), a copy of the notification (or a JLPT N4+ certificate) covers Japanese. You still need your field's skills test.
• Save the PDF in several places on day one, and never alter it.

Not tested yet? Start with a free practice run and see how close you are to 200.