Visa Medical Exam Requirements for Japan: Health Check Guide

Short, clear guide to Japan’s actual health requirements for visas and entry. Learn when a medical exam is truly required (JPETS TB screening, digital nomad insurance), what tourists and long-term residents need, how to bring medicines, and what schools/employers may ask.

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Table of Contents

At a glance

Most travelers to Japan do not need a medical exam. The big exceptions are:

JPETS tuberculosis (TB) screening for specific nationalities applying to stay mid- to long-term (e.g., work, study, dependent) and some Designated Activities.
Digital Nomad status (Designated Activities) requires medical insurance with treatment coverage of ¥10,000,000 or more.

Visa Medical Exam Requirements for Japan: Health Check Guide

Quick answer table

Your plan	Medical exam required?	What exactly	Notes
Short-term visit (tourism, business ≤90 days), including eVISA nationals	No medical exam	Strongly recommended to buy travel medical insurance	MOFA recommends insurance for visitors. Use Visit Japan Web to speed Immigration & Customs.
Work, Study, Dependent, Long-term Resident (generally >90 days)	Maybe (only if you fall under JPETS)	Chest X-ray (± sputum) at a designated Panel Clinic; TB Clearance Certificate valid 180 days	Applies to nationals of Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, China (rollout timing differs). Submit certificate with COE/visa.
Designated Activities Digital Nomad (and family)	No exam, but mandatory private medical insurance	Insurance that covers injury/illness treatment costs ≥ ¥10,000,000	Income threshold applies; max stay 6 months; no renewal.
“Visa for Medical Stay” (health checkups or treatment in Japan)	No exam for the visa itself	You are coming to Japan for exams/treatment	This is a special short/long stay purpose visa for checkups/treatment.

What is JPETS and who must do it?

JPETS (Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening) is Japan’s official pre-entry TB program. If you’re a national of the Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, or China and plan to stay in Japan mid- to long-term, you must take a TB screen at a designated Panel Clinic before you apply for your Certificate of Eligibility or visa. The TB Clearance Certificate generally stays valid for 180 days from the X-ray date. Costs are paid by the applicant.

As of September 1, 2025, Viet Nam moved from “screening available” to mandatory certificate submission; the Philippines and Nepal began mandatory submission on June 23, 2025. Indonesia, Myanmar, and China are listed but their start dates are announced separately. Always check the JPETS homepage for current clinic lists and rollouts.

Key facts JPETS confirms

Applies to mid- to long-term residents (generally >3 months) and to certain Designated Activities (e.g., Digital Nomad and its spouse/child).
Chest X-ray is standard; sputum may be added at the doctor’s discretion.
Submit the TB Clearance Certificate with your COE (or with the visa application if you’re applying without a COE).
Personal copy should be kept; you may be asked for it after entry.

Japan’s Ministry of Justice defines “mid- to long-term” residents as foreign nationals not granted 3 months or less, and not on Temporary Visitor/Diplomat/Official statuses, among other exclusions.

Do tourists need a medical exam?

No. Tourists and other short-term visitors (≤90 days) do not undergo a medical exam. Japan’s consular guidance instead recommends travel medical insurance for a smooth trip and protection against unexpected costs. If your nationality requires a tourist eVISA, the online process does not include any medical exam.

To speed up arrival, pre-register on Visit Japan Web and show the QR codes at Immigration and Customs. The service is run by Japan’s Digital Agency and reduces paperwork at the airport.

Do work, student, and dependent visas need a medical exam?

In general, no, unless you are in a JPETS target group (see above). For most long-term statuses, MOFA’s official “Necessary documents” lists passport, photo, and Certificate of Eligibility (COE); medical exams are not listed. Individual embassies can request extra documents case-by-case, but a general health exam is not standard.

That said, many schools and employers in Japan will require health checkups after you arrive (a legal requirement in universities and commonly in workplaces). Expect routine items such as chest X-ray, urine test, and basic vitals at the campus or company clinic—this is an enrollment/employment requirement, not an immigration requirement.

Digital Nomad status and health insurance

Japan’s Designated Activities (Digital Nomad) requires private insurance that covers treatment costs for injury/illness of at least ¥10,000,000 during your stay (max 6 months; non-renewable). Your spouse/child must also be covered (family coverage is acceptable if documented). This is an insurance requirement, not a medical exam.

After you arrive: Japan’s public health insurance

If you’ll live in Japan for over three months, you must join public health insurance (National Health Insurance or Employees’ Health Insurance) after your resident registration. This covers typically 70% of standard medical costs; you pay the rest at point of care. Enrollment is done at your city office or via your employer, depending on your status.

You can also use your My Number card as your health insurance certificate at clinics and pharmacies once you’re enrolled.

Visit Japan Web: immigration and customs, not a health exam

Visit Japan Web is an official online service to register your Immigration and Customs information, generate QR codes, and even store a tax-free shopping QR for later. It is not a medical exam. Use it to speed up the airport process.

Bringing your medicines to Japan (important health prep)

Regular prescription meds (personal use): Small quantities are fine; larger amounts or certain items (e.g., injections) need an Import Confirmation (“Yakkan Shōmei”) in advance.
Controlled substances (e.g., some ADHD meds, certain painkillers, psychotropics): You may need prior permission from the Narcotics Control Department; some medicines are prohibited even with a prescription from home. Always check the substance category and apply if required.

What exactly happens at a JPETS medical screen?

Where: A government-designated Panel Clinic in your country.
What: Medical interview, chest X-ray; sputum test if the doctor suspects TB.
Outcome: TB Clearance Certificate if no active TB; valid 180 days (sometimes 90 days depending on conditions—your clinic will advise).
When to show: Submit with your COE or visa application.
Who pays: You (fees and processing time vary by facility).

Start dates (recent highlights):

Country	Clinics start	Certificate mandatory from
Philippines	24 Mar 2025	23 Jun 2025
Nepal	24 Mar 2025	23 Jun 2025
Viet Nam	26 May 2025	1 Sep 2025
Indonesia	TBA	TBA
Myanmar	TBA	TBA
China	TBA	TBA

Do I need any vaccinations to enter Japan?

Japan does not require routine vaccinations for entry. However, staying current with routine immunizations is recommended for your health while living in Japan. University students and workers often get annual checks, and schools run health programs under national policy.

FAQs

Is there a “Japan visa medical exam”?
Not as a universal rule. JPETS pre-entry TB screening is required for specific nationalities applying to stay mid- to long-term (and for some Designated Activities). Tourists don’t take medical exams.

I’m applying for a Student visa. Do I need a health exam to get the visa?
No exam for the visa itself in most cases. But your university will run a mandatory health check shortly after enrollment (required by law at many universities).

What about work visas?
MOFA’s Working visa documentation does not list a medical exam. Your employer may ask for a health check after you arrive. If you’re a JPETS-target nationality, complete JPETS first.

I’m a digital nomad. What’s required for health?
No medical exam, but you must have private medical insurance with at least ¥10,000,000 in treatment coverage for your stay.

How do tourists handle forms on arrival?
Use Visit Japan Web to pre-register and get QR codes for Immigration and Customs. It’s official and streamlines the process.

Can I bring my prescription meds?
Usually yes in small quantities. For larger amounts, injections, or devices, get an Import Confirmation; and for controlled substances, get Narcotics Control permission ahead of time.

What is “mid- to long-term resident”?
A foreign national allowed to stay over 3 months, excluding Temporary Visitor/Diplomat/Official and certain other categories. This group receives a Residence Card and falls under JPETS when applicable.

Step-by-step: How to know if you need a medical screen

Check your nationality and purpose
If you are a national of Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, or China and plan to study, work, or live in Japan over 3 months, you’ll likely need JPETS. Confirm whether your country’s mandatory date has started.
Book a designated Panel Clinic
Only clinics listed on JPETS are accepted. Ask about price and turnaround; bring your passport.
Keep the timing right
Your certificate is typically valid 180 days; align it with your COE/visa application window.
Add travel insurance
Even when not mandatory, MOFA strongly recommends travelers carry insurance; healthcare for visitors is excellent but can be costly without coverage.
Prepare medicines & documents
If you travel with prescriptions, check whether you need Import Confirmation or Narcotics Control permission before departure.

Sample timeline

Two–four months before travel

If you’re a JPETS national: schedule the Panel Clinic appointment.
If you’re Digital Nomad: purchase qualifying insurance (¥10,000,000+ treatment coverage).

One–two months before travel

Receive your TB Clearance Certificate; submit with COE/visa.
Start Visit Japan Web account and try a dry run of forms.

Two weeks before travel

Finalize Visit Japan Web entries and QR codes for Immigration & Customs.

After arrival

Long-term residents: register address, then enroll in public health insurance (NHI or Employees’).
Students/employees: attend your on-campus/company health check if scheduled.

Clean checklist (copy-paste)

I checked whether JPETS applies to me (nationality + purpose/stay).
I’ve booked a Panel Clinic (if applicable) and planned around the 180-day certificate validity.
I purchased travel medical insurance (or Digital Nomad-level insurance if relevant).
I set up Visit Japan Web and saved my QR codes.
I confirmed medicine rules (Import Confirmation / Narcotics Control, if needed).
For long stays, I’ll enroll in public health insurance after I register my address.

Related guides on Japan Handbook

Extra detail for students and workers in Japan

Universities in Japan run annual health checkups for students (and often for newly admitted students in spring/autumn). If you skip the check, you may miss required certificates or administrative steps at your school. Again, this is not an immigration requirement; it is a campus rule under Japanese health laws for schools. Employers may also conduct periodic health checks per occupational rules.

Final tip

If you don’t see a TB certificate in your embassy’s checklist, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re exempt—check JPETS by nationality and purpose. If you’re a target national for a mid- to long-term stay (or certain Designated Activities), JPETS applies even when the rest of your documents look “standard.”

Want more how-tos? Explore our visa hub under Visa & Immigration and our health essentials under Health & Medical across Japan Handbook.

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