🫁 Pre-Entry TB Screening: Indonesia Added

❓ What's changing?

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced that the Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening programme (JPETS) will begin operating in Indonesia on November 2, 2026. Under JPETS, people coming from a designated country to stay in Japan for the mid to long term must undergo a chest X-ray and related examinations at a designated medical institution before entry, to confirm that they have not developed tuberculosis. The aim is to detect TB cases early, connect patients to appropriate treatment, and prevent the spread of TB within Japan. The programme has been running in the Philippines, Nepal and Vietnam since fiscal 2024. Indonesia was already listed as a covered country, but its status had remained "under coordination, start date undecided," so no screening was actually required. With the local implementation framework now in place, operations will start. The rollout comes in two steps. Designated medical institutions in Indonesia begin accepting screening appointments on November 2, 2026 (planned). Then, from January 4, 2027 (planned), a TB-free certificate becomes mandatory when applying for a Certificate of Eligibility or a visa. From that date, an application from Indonesia for mid- to long-term residence cannot proceed without the certificate.

👥 Who is affected?

• ●People entering Japan from Indonesia for a mid- to long-term stay
• ●Applicants filing for a Certificate of Eligibility on or after January 4, 2027 (planned)
• ●Applicants filing for a Japanese visa at an overseas mission on or after January 4, 2027 (planned)
• ●Schools and companies in Japan that receive students, trainees or workers from Indonesia and prepare Certificate of Eligibility applications

🌏 Impact on foreign residents

For anyone planning a mid- to long-term move to Japan from Indonesia, one more step is added to the pre-departure checklist: a medical screening. From January 4, 2027 (planned), an application for a Certificate of Eligibility or a visa cannot move forward without a TB-free certificate. If your school enrolment date or job start date is already fixed, work backwards from that date and allow enough time between booking the screening and receiving the certificate. The screening must be taken at a designated medical institution. The list of institutions in Indonesia will be published by the ministry once arrangements are complete, so it is safest to wait for that announcement and book through the official route rather than assuming that a general check-up at a nearby clinic will be accepted. The programme is aimed at people intending to stay in Japan for the mid to long term. For details on exactly who is covered, which residence statuses are included, how to book, and what the fee is, check the official JPETS site. Those already living in Japan who travel home temporarily should also confirm their situation there.