JFT-Basic in Bangladesh: BDT 3,800, two Dhaka centres, and the BMET route to SSW

Test fee

BDT 3,800e-wallet payment suspended since 25 Aug 2026

ID to bring

Passport

Test length

60 min · about 50 questions

On-screen translation

Bengali

Score for SSW (i)

200 or higher (A2)

Bangladesh at a glance

Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing JFT-Basic countries. The Japan Foundation counted 1,645 test-takers in April–May 2026, 2,325 in June–July and 2,891 in August–September: up 76% in two periods. Every one of them sat in Dhaka.

Bangladeshi candidates do well once they sit. In August–September 2026, 41.8% reached A2.2 (200 or more), in line with the world average of 41.3%. In June–July, 44.6% passed the A2 line.

How much does the JFT-Basic cost in Bangladesh?

The fee is BDT 3,800 on Prometric's fee page. How you can pay has changed in 2026, so read this carefully.

eWallet payment is suspended

Prometric's payment page still lists two methods for Bangladesh:

• Visa or Mastercard credit, debit or prepaid card, with 3D Secure;
• eWallet, with a service fee of about 2% of the exam fee on top, depending on the payment brand.

However, on 25 August 2026 Prometric announced that eWallet payments in Bangladesh were unavailable because of maintenance by its payment vendor. Its update of 17 September 2026 says eWallet payment is not expected to resume for the time being, and asks candidates to pay by credit, debit or prepaid card instead. Until Prometric says otherwise, plan to pay by card. If eWallet comes back, the 2% surcharge will apply again, so check the total on the payment screen.

Card tips for Bangladesh:

• the card must be enabled for international online transactions, since the payment is processed by Prometric in Japan;
• some Bangladeshi cards only work abroad once international use is switched on by the bank. Ask your bank in advance, not on booking day;
• you need the phone linked to the card for the 3D Secure one-time password.

There is no voucher option for Bangladesh.

Where are the test centres in Bangladesh?

Prometric's overseas schedule (updated 15 October 2026) lists two centres, both in Dhaka:

The full address is on your Confirmation Letter. Dhaka traffic is the real risk on test day. The two centres are on opposite sides of the city, so pick the one you can reach reliably, and leave a large buffer. Check the live schedule before you book.

Candidates from Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi or Khulna need to travel to Dhaka. Book a later session if you plan to travel the same day.

When does booking open?

For the next test period, Prometric gives:

• Booking opens: 25 November 2026, about 10:00 AM Japan time, which is about 7:00 AM in Bangladesh.
• Booking closes: 12 January 2027.
• Test dates: 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027.

Book at least 3 business days before your test (four for weekend and Japanese holiday tests). The deadline follows the Japanese calendar, not Bangladeshi holidays. See the registration guide for every screen.

What ID do you need?

Your passport only. Your NID card and birth certificate are not accepted. Bring the original, valid passport and your Confirmation Letter. The name, passport number and date of birth on your Prometric ID must match the passport exactly. If your passport shows a single name in the surname field, enter it the same way. The exam day guide explains check-in.

On test day: Bengali on screen

The instructions are in English, with a Your Language button that shows a Bengali translation. Bengali is one of the "Your Language 2" options. The Japanese being tested is not translated. There are about 50 questions and one 60-minute clock. Your score appears at the end, and the official result is on Prometric My Page within 5 business days. Below 200, you can retake after 45 days.

From JFT-Basic to SSW: Bangladesh's procedure

Japan and Bangladesh have an SSW Memorandum of Cooperation. The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) describes the Bangladeshi side as follows:

1. Agency is optional

   A Japanese employer can hire you directly, or through a sending agency recognised by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MEWOE), or through BOESL, the state-owned overseas employment company. MEWOE publishes the list of recognised agencies on probashi.gov.bd.

2. Demand Letter

   The employer submits a Demand Letter to the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo for attestation. The ISA says it is free and takes about three business days.

3. MEWOE approval (agency route only)

   The agency sends the attested Demand Letter to MEWOE, with a list of candidates drawn from the BMET database, and MEWOE issues an approval letter.

4. Contract, COE and visa

   You sign the SSW contract. The employer gets your Certificate of Eligibility, and you apply for the visa at the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka.

5. Emigration Clearance Card

   You or the agency submit your documents, including the visa, to BMET (Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training). BMET issues an Emigration Clearance Card in about two business days. You need it to leave, but not again when you return to Japan after a visit home.

Bangladeshis already in Japan can be hired directly. After changing to SSW, they must report changes of status or employer to their embassy. For the skills test in your field, see SSW fields. To check your level before paying, take our free mock test.

Planning the whole move, not just the test? Our SSW visa cost calculator helps you add up what going to Japan on SSW should cost, from the JFT-Basic fee onwards, and the salary calculator estimates your take-home pay once you are there.