JFT-Basic in Uzbekistan: USD 36, the Tashkent centre, and the foreign travel passport rule

Test fee

USD 36

ID to bring

Passport for overseas travel

Test length

60 min · about 50 questions

On-screen translation

Uzbek

Score for SSW (i)

200 or higher (A2)

Uzbekistan and the JFT-Basic

Uzbekistan is a small but steady JFT-Basic country. The Japan Foundation counted 80 test-takers in April–May 2026, 120 in June–July and 115 in August–September, all at the Tashkent centre.

In the latest period, 39.1% reached A2.2 (200 or more), close to the world average of 41.3%. The groups are small, so the percentages move a lot from one period to the next. What they do show is that a good share of Uzbek candidates reach the SSW level.

Uzbek learners have a specific challenge: Japanese word order is close to Uzbek (the verb comes last, and small particles do the job that Uzbek case endings do), but the writing system is entirely new. Learners can end up understanding spoken Japanese well before they read it quickly. Section 1 (Script and Vocabulary) and Section 4 (Reading) are where that shows. Our score guide explains how the four sections add up to one total.

How much does the JFT-Basic cost in Uzbekistan?

USD 36, according to Prometric's fee page. Payment options for Uzbekistan:

• Visa or Mastercard credit, debit or prepaid card with 3D Secure. The card must work for online payments abroad in US dollars;
• voucher. Prometric lists no voucher sales counter in Uzbekistan, and Voucher Express sells only to companies and organisations. In practice, an individual gets a voucher through a school, training centre or organisation that buys them.

There is no e-wallet option for Uzbekistan. Local card systems such as Uzcard and Humo are not on Prometric's list. Get an international Visa or Mastercard working before booking day.

Which ID do you need?

Prometric's rule for Uzbekistan is short: "Passport (for overseas travel) only." That means your foreign travel passport, the one you would use to fly to Japan:

• the original, still valid on the test date;
• not the ID card used inside Uzbekistan, and not a copy or a phone photo;
• the name, passport number and date of birth must match your Prometric ID exactly. Use the Latin spelling printed in the passport.

If your travel passport expires before the test, renew it first and register the new number in your Prometric ID. A refused ID means no test and no refund. See the exam day guide for what happens at check-in.

Where is the test centre?

Prometric's overseas schedule (updated 15 October 2026) lists one centre: Tashkent. Every FY2026 implementation report names Tashkent as the only Uzbek test city. Your Confirmation Letter gives the address. Check the live schedule before booking.

Candidates from the Fergana Valley, Samarkand, Bukhara or Karakalpakstan should plan an overnight stay or an afternoon session.

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 6:00 AM in Tashkent.
• Booking closes: 12 January 2027.
• Test dates: 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027.

Book at least 3 business days before the test (four for tests on weekends and Japanese holidays). Prometric uses the Japanese calendar, so Navruz does not move a deadline. The registration guide covers every screen.

Uzbek on screen

The instructions appear in English. The Your Language button offers Uzbek as one of the "Your Language 2" options, alongside Bengali, Lao and Malay. 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. If you score under 200, you can retake after 45 days.

From JFT-Basic to SSW: Uzbekistan's procedure

Japan and Uzbekistan have an SSW Memorandum of Cooperation. The Uzbek side of the process is light. The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) summarises it:

1. Hiring route

   Under Uzbekistan's rules a sending agency is optional. A Japanese employer can sign a recruitment contract with a private sending agency, or with the Agency of External Labour Migration (named in the ISA's document as part of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations), or hire you directly.

2. Contract and COE

   You sign an SSW employment contract. The employer applies for your Certificate of Eligibility and posts you the original.

3. Visa

   You take the COE to the Embassy of Japan in Uzbekistan and apply for the SSW visa.

The ISA's summary lists no extra Uzbek-side permit for SSW. For anything on the Uzbek side, it refers employers to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Tokyo. You still need a skills test for your field: see the SSW visa guide.

Check your level for free with our timed mock test before you pay for the real one.

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.