JFT-Basic test dates, booking windows and test centres

How JFT-Basic test dates work

Most language tests have a few fixed dates a year. JFT-Basic does not. It is a computer-based test that Prometric runs at its own test centres, so there is no single "exam day". Instead there are test periods: blocks of several weeks in which each centre offers sessions on many different days and at several start times.

The Japan Foundation, which makes the test, says it is held monthly as a rule in Japan and overseas. The Japan Foundation does not take bookings itself. All dates, seats and payments are handled by Prometric, on its JFT-Basic pages.

Three dates matter for every candidate:

1. The day booking opens for a test period. Popular centres can fill within hours, so this is the day to be ready.
2. Your booking deadline. You must book (or change a booking) at least 3 business days before your test date.
3. Your test date itself, inside the test period.

The current and next test periods

When we checked Prometric's JFT-Basic page on 30 October 2026, it listed two periods:

The "booking closes" date is the last day of the whole period. Your own deadline is earlier: 3 business days before the test date you choose.

Notice the pattern. Each test period is about six weeks long, booking opens a few days before it starts, and there is a short gap of about two weeks between periods. Earlier 2026 periods followed the same rhythm. That is why the honest answer to "when is the next JFT-Basic exam?" is usually "there are sessions most weeks, but you can only book once that period's window is open".

This is what 10:00 Japan time on 25 November 2026 is in each test country:

Myanmar and Nepal are the exceptions above: use the local times Prometric gives for them, not this table.

What about 2027?

Prometric had not listed any test period after 15 January 2027 when we checked. The Japan Foundation publishes an annual schedule PDF, but its exact 2027 booking dates were not available to us. We will not guess. If you want to know the moment the next window is announced, use the booking-alert form further down this page.

How to read the Prometric schedule grid

Prometric keeps two schedule pages for JFT-Basic: one for the 13 overseas countries and one for Japan. Both are large tables:

• Each row is a test centre, grouped by country and city, with the centre's name.
• Each column is a date, with the day of the week.
• A black dot (●) means the test is held at that centre on that date.

On 30 October 2026 the overseas grid covered 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027 (updated 15 October), and the Japan grid covered November 2026 to January 2027 (updated 30 October). A dot only tells you a session exists. It does not mean seats are free. You see real availability only when you log in and search for a seat during the booking window.

Prometric also warns that the grid may differ from the actual dates. Treat it as a planning tool and confirm in the booking system.

The booking deadline in detail

The Japan Foundation's registration page and Prometric give the same rule:

• Book at least 3 business days before the test date.
• Book at least 4 business days before if the test is on a Saturday, Sunday or Japanese public holiday.
• Prometric's cut-off time is 23:59 Japan time on the deadline day.
• Business days exclude Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese public holidays and the New Year holidays.

The same deadline applies to changes. Until it passes, you can move your booking to another date, time or centre, but only if a seat is free. After it passes, you cannot change anything. You also cannot cancel at all, and fees are not refunded. Our step-by-step registration guide covers this in detail.

Because the rule uses Japanese holidays, the New Year period hits hard. Japanese offices close for several days around 1 January, so deadlines for early-January tests fall well before Christmas in many countries. Book early-January sessions in the first half of December.

How much does JFT-Basic cost?

Each country pays a fixed fee in its own currency, set by Prometric. These are the fees listed on Prometric's fee page, with the ID you must bring:

A few points the table does not show:

• India and Pakistan list a net fee and a gross fee. The gross fee includes tax, and it is the amount you actually pay.
• Bangladesh e-wallet payments add a service charge of about 2%.
• Payment methods depend on the country: credit card, e-wallet, PayPay (Japan) or a voucher. Vouchers are sold to companies and organisations through Voucher Express, or for cash at voucher sales counters.
• No refunds. Prometric does not refund the fee if you miss the test, arrive late or bring the wrong ID.

Where are the test centres?

On 30 October 2026, Prometric's overseas grid listed these cities:

In Japan, the grid listed 11 centres: Sapporo, Sendai, two in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Saga and Naha.

Centres open, close and change names. In Nepal, for example, all five centres were renamed from 2 October 2026. Prometric publishes exact addresses and maps on its test centre list, and your Confirmation Letter shows the map for your centre. Always use those, not an old blog post.

Can I test in another country?

Yes. The Japan Foundation allows candidates to sit the test outside their country of residence. Instructions at the venue will be in that country's language or English, and payment options follow that country's rules. One firm exception: non-Indonesians cannot take the test in Indonesia, where only Indonesian nationals with an e-KTP can sit it. Also check the age rules: Indonesian nationals must be at least 18 and Myanmar nationals at least 17 on the test date.

Country guides

Each country guide covers the local fee, ID, centres and booking tips in more depth:

• NepalUSD 36
• IndiaINR 3,540
• PhilippinesPHP 2,010
• IndonesiaIDR 550,000
• MyanmarUSD 36
• VietnamVND 870,000
• Sri LankaLKR 12,000
• BangladeshBDT 3,800
• CambodiaUSD 36
• ThailandTHB 1,260
• MongoliaMNT 125,000
• UzbekistanUSD 36
• PakistanPKR 10,788
• JapanJPY 10,000

How to get a seat on booking day

Seats in Kathmandu, Yangon and Jakarta are in high demand. These steps give you the best chance:

1. Create your Prometric ID early, days before booking opens. Only one ID is allowed per person, and the name must match your passport exactly. See how to register.
2. Know your options. Pick two or three centres, dates and start times from the schedule grid before the window opens.
3. Have payment ready. Check your card or e-wallet works for international payments, or buy your voucher in advance.
4. Be online before the opening time in your country, on a stable connection.
5. Don't give up after the first hour. People change their bookings until the deadline, so seats can reappear.

Before you book: are you ready?

There is no point racing for a seat if you are not ready for 200. A score of 199 or lower means waiting 45 days and paying again. Before booking, take our free 12-question practice test, then a full 60-minute mock test. If your mock score is well below 200, use the study plan and book the period after.