Introduction
If you are thinking about sitting the December JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), now is a good time to start getting ready. Applications for the second sitting of 2026, held on December 6, open on August 24.
The part worth watching is that waiting until the September 7 deadline may leave you without a seat. The organizer has announced that applications can be cut off partway through the period because venues are getting harder to secure, and that is exactly what happened for the July sitting, when N4 and N3 both closed before the deadline.
What You Will Learn
- Applications run from Monday, August 24 to Monday, September 7 at 5:00 p.m., with a fee of 7,500 yen including tax
- Applications can close mid-period. For the July sitting, N4 closed on March 25 and N3 at 9:00 a.m. on March 27
- You need a MyJLPT account to apply, and you can register before the window opens
- You need the original of a valid residence card on test day, so check the expiry against December 6 first
- One level per sitting. N1 and N2 run in the morning, N3 to N5 in the afternoon
Disclaimer: This article is based on the official test information for the second 2026 JLPT sitting and related announcements published by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES), as of August 10, 2026. Dates and procedures may change, so check the official site for the latest information before applying.
Applications Run from August 24 to September 7 at 5:00 p.m.
From application to results, this stretches across nearly six months.
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Application period | Monday, August 24 to Monday, September 7, 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
| Test fee | 7,500 yen (including consumption tax) |
| Test vouchers mailed | By Friday, November 20, 2026 |
| Test date | Sunday, December 6, 2026 |
| Results viewable on MyJLPT | Late January 2027 |
| Result notification mailed | Late February 2027 |
(Source: Test Guide for the 2nd JLPT in 2026, JEES)
The test is scheduled to run in all 47 prefectures. You can indicate your preferred test area when you apply, but depending on demand you may end up at a venue in a neighboring prefecture instead.
Applications close at 5:00 p.m. on September 7, but they may close sooner than that. The safe move is to act as soon as the window opens.
Applications Can Close Before the Deadline
The organizer points to a sharp rise in applicant numbers as the reason. As more people study Japanese, the number of test takers has been climbing year after year, and the limited number of venues cannot keep up.
For the first sitting of 2026 in July, the published deadline was April 7, yet N4 applications closed on March 25 and N3 applications closed at 9:00 a.m. on March 27. Both shut more than ten days early.
(Source: JEES JLPT announcements, Notice on applications for the 2nd JLPT in 2026, JEES)
If you are considering N3 or N4 for December, it is worth planning to apply on August 24, the day the window opens.
The organizer also warns that traffic spikes on the deadline day make the site hard to reach. A last-minute application carries both an early closure risk and a congested server.
You Need a MyJLPT Account to Apply
There is no counter service and no postal option. The entire application happens online, and the first thing you need is an account on a site called MyJLPT.
- Register with MyJLPT (receive the provisional registration email, then complete full registration)
- Receive your MyJLPT ID
- Log in to MyJLPT once the application period opens
- Register your application details (test level, test area, and so on)
- Pay the 7,500 yen fee (including consumption tax)
The key point is that MyJLPT registration itself can be done before the application period opens. Starting from scratch on August 24 means burning time on email confirmations and photo preparation, so create the account and prepare your photo data now, leaving only the level choice and payment for the 24th.
Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer (Pay-easy), or at a convenience store. Your application is only complete once payment goes through, so if you are paying at a convenience store, just make sure you don’t forget.
Your photo must clearly identify you. Applying with someone else’s photo, or one where your face is not clearly visible, means you cannot sit the test. If you are using a phone photo, retake it in good light facing the camera straight on.
Check Your Residence Card Expiry Before You Apply
This is the point that catches people out. On test day you must bring the original of a valid residence card, and photocopies are not accepted.
The question is not whether your card is valid today, but whether it will be valid on December 6, 2026. If your period of stay comes up for renewal in the autumn, work out at the application stage whether the renewal will finish in time. If your card is mid-renewal or lost, the requirements depend on your situation, so check the official guidance in advance if this applies to you.
(Source: Test-day instructions, JEES)
(For how long the renewal process takes, see our guide to renewing your residence status)
Without the correct identification on test day you cannot sit the test. Confirm that your card will still be valid on December 6 before you apply.
One Level per Sitting, Split Between Morning and Afternoon
Taking N2 and N3 on the same day is not possible: you may apply for only one level per sitting. If you are torn between two levels, decide before August 24, keeping the early closure risk in mind. Test times depend on the level.
| Level | Session | Room entry | Test starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| N1, N2 | Morning | 8:30 to 9:10 | 9:10 |
| N3, N4, N5 | Afternoon | 14:30 to 15:10 | 15:10 |
(Source: Test Guide for the 2nd JLPT in 2026, JEES)
If you arrive after the start time, you will not be let into the test room for any reason, train delays included. Give yourself plenty of margin on the day.
(For level-by-level content, pass rates, and how to choose study materials, see the JLPT Study Guide 2026)
What to Do Before August 24
You have roughly two and a half weeks until applications open. Clearing these off now will make the application itself quick.
- Create your MyJLPT account: you can finish full registration before the window opens
- Prepare your photo data: shoot it in good light facing forward, ready to upload
- Decide your level: if you are undecided, working through one past paper settles it fastest
- Check your residence card expiry: specifically, whether it is valid on December 6
- Settle your payment method: if you are paying by card, make sure it is on hand
Want to keep studying once your application is in? The YOLO JAPAN official LINE account has a built-in JLPT prep feature, free to add, so you can keep working toward December 6 on your commute or before bed.
Add YOLO JAPAN on LINE
Related reading:
- Want to build a daily study habit through an app? → Best Japanese Learning Apps 2026
- Weighing up a language school? → How to Choose a Japanese Language School for a Student Visa 2026
FAQ
Q. What time do applications open?
A. The opening date is announced as Monday, August 24, 2026, but no opening time has been published. Check the official site in the morning that day.
Q. What happens if applications close before the deadline?
A. You cannot sit that test, and the next opportunity is the first sitting of 2027 in July. That means waiting more than half a year, which is why applying close to day one matters.
Q. Can I apply for both N2 and N3?
A. No. You may apply for only one level per sitting, so decide which one you are taking before you apply.
Q. Can I choose my test venue?
A. You can indicate your preferred test area, but depending on demand you may end up in a neighboring prefecture instead. Either way, you cannot specify the exact venue, since that is confirmed on the test voucher that arrives by November 20. Look into transport as soon as it arrives.
Q. What do I need to bring on test day?
A. Your test voucher, the original of a valid residence card, an HB pencil or mechanical pencil, and a plastic eraser. Watches must be wristwatches without memory or similar functions, and you cannot use your phone to keep time.
(Source: Test-day instructions, JEES)
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Aim to apply on August 24, the day the window opens. Do not wait for the September 7 deadline
- ✅ If you are sitting N3 or N4, apply as early as possible once the window opens
- ✅ Set up your MyJLPT account and prepare your photo now, before the window opens
- ✅ Check whether your residence card will still be valid on December 6 before you apply
- ✅ Decide on one level and confirm your check-in time (morning or afternoon) ahead of time
If December is your target, create your MyJLPT account this week and confirm both your level and your residence card expiry date. Apply on August 24 when the window opens, and the rest of the time until December 6 is yours to spend studying. Prepare thoroughly in the time you have, and stay calm on the day so you can give it your best.
