General information, not immigration advice. Fees, centres and dates change — check the official pages before you book.
Bottom line: the JFT-Basic is a 60-minute computer test that proves the everyday Japanese you need for the SSW visa. In India you can take it at three Prometric centres, for ₹3,540. The hard part isn't the exam — it's getting a seat on booking day.
If you're aiming for Japan on the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) route, this is the language test most Indian applicants take. It opens a door that the JLPT, which runs only twice a year, often can't open in time. This guide covers where to sit it, what it costs in ₹, the score you need, and exactly when to book.
Next booking date to know: the December 2026–January 2027 window. The Japan Foundation lists it as late November and says dates can shift. Prometric hasn't announced the exact day yet.
What is JFT-Basic?
The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) checks whether you can manage everyday situations in Japanese — shopping, asking directions, simple workplace talk. (Japan Foundation)
- Computer-based — you see your result on screen when you finish.
- Held in booking windows — the Japan Foundation says it is conducted every month as a rule, but you book in windows (see the table below).
- Accepted for SSW-1, the "Employment for Skill Development" (Ikusei Shuro) status, and study at a Japanese language school, per the Japan Foundation's own page.
Not sure which visa needs which level? See What Japanese level do you need for each Japan visa?
Test centres in India
Three centres in India hold the JFT-Basic (Prometric's list, checked 9 Oct 2026):
| City | Centre | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd | 3rd Floor, Tower B, Prestige ShantiNiketan, Whitefield ITPL Road |
| Gurgaon | Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd | 208–212, Tower A, Iris Tech Park, Sector 48, Sohna Road |
| Guwahati | DCEL Exams India Pvt Ltd | Assam Don Bosco University (Azara campus), Airport Road |
Other Prometric centres in India do not necessarily run this test. Choose only from the list at booking.
Fees in ₹
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Fee for India | ₹3,000 + tax = ₹3,540 (Prometric's published net and gross prices) |
| Paid | Online, at booking |
| Cancelling | You cannot cancel a booking. You can change date, time or centre until 23:59 Japan time, three business days before the test (four if the test falls on a weekend or Japanese holiday) — and only if seats are free. |
Because you can't cancel, don't book "just to hold a seat". Book when you're consistently comfortable with A2-level listening and reading and have practised the computer-based format.
Booking windows: when to book
You don't book a single date — you book inside a window that opens at a fixed time. Seats are released by date, time and centre, and the good ones go fast.
| Test round | Booking opens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Aug–Sep 2026 | 28 July 2026 | Closed |
| Oct–Nov 2026 | 29 September 2026, about 10:00 JST (6:30 AM IST) | Open now — check for remaining seats |
| Dec 2026–Jan 2027 | Late November 2026 | Not yet confirmed (Japan Foundation says dates may shift) |
| Feb–Mar 2027 | Late January 2027 | Planning date only |
Sources: Prometric notice for Oct–Nov; Japan Foundation FY2026 schedule for the later rows.
How it works on opening morning: if many people log in at once, you're placed in an online "virtual waiting room". Once you reach the booking site you have about 20 minutes to finish. Set an alarm for 6:25 AM IST, keep a card ready and have backup dates.
Seats are fewer than you might expect
Prometric's schedule for centres outside Japan (updated 28 September 2026) shows the test running on only some days. Komichi's count from that grid for 1 October–30 November 2026: Bengaluru 6 sitting days, Gurgaon 8, Guwahati 8. That's a small number of days shared among everyone in India, which is why the opening morning matters. Check the live schedule when you book.
Passing score
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Score range | 10–250 |
| A2.2 (A2) | 200–250 — passes the SSW language requirement |
| A2.1 | 175–199 — not sufficient for SSW |
| A1 | 145–174 — not sufficient for SSW |
| Below 145 | No level shown (*) |
| Duration | About 60 minutes |
The test covers listening and reading — there's no speaking or writing section.
Since August 2026, JFT-Basic reports three CEFR levels instead of just A2. The score bands are: A1 (145–174), A2.1 (175–199) and A2.2/A2 (200–250); a score below 145 shows no level. The SSW language requirement is still A2.2 (200 or more). The lower bands may be useful for other routes — see our Ikusei Shuro guide — but note that India is not yet among the countries Ikusei Shuro accepts workers from.
On test day
From April 2026, a passport is the only acceptable form of identification for JFT-Basic test takers in India. Bring your valid passport and the Confirmation Letter you received after booking. Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Other IDs (Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence) are not accepted. Confirm the latest ID requirements on the Japan Foundation New Delhi JFT-Basic page or Prometric's site before you travel.
How to register on Prometric
- Create a Prometric ID at prometric-jp.com. Enter your name exactly as on your passport.
- Log in when the window opens (10:00 JST = 6:30 AM IST).
- Choose JFT-Basic, your centre (Bengaluru, Gurgaon or Guwahati) and a date.
- Pay the ₹3,540 fee online.
- Save your confirmation.
Book at least three working days before your preferred test date.
JFT-Basic vs JLPT N4
Both can satisfy the SSW language requirement. JFT-Basic assesses Japanese at CEFR A2; JLPT N4 is a commonly used comparable benchmark, but the two have different formats and scoring. For the SSW-1 language requirement, either a qualifying JFT-Basic A2 result or JLPT N4 (or higher) can meet it.
| JFT-Basic | JLPT N4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Computer | Paper |
| Result | On the same day | Weeks later |
| When | Booking windows (roughly every two months) | Twice a year (July and December) |
| India centres | 3 | More cities |
| Pass/standard | 200/250 (A2.2) — SSW threshold | Has its own pass mark and sectional minimums (see our JLPT guide) |
If you need a result fast, or you missed a JLPT round, JFT-Basic is usually the quicker route. For the JLPT, see our JLPT exam in India guide. For a full comparison: JFT-Basic vs JLPT N4.
Preparing
JFT-Basic assesses Japanese at CEFR A2 — you should be able to follow everyday conversations, read simple sentences about daily life and understand basic workplace instructions.
- Start with the free vocabulary decks (N5 first, then N4).
- Practise on JFT-Basic topics.
- Book when you're consistently comfortable with A2-level listening and reading and have practised the computer-based format. You can't easily reschedule, so don't book too early.
Language is only one step. Your field's skills test, fees and timeline matter too: SSW visa from India, SSW application process and SSW visa costs.
This article is general information, not legal, immigration, tax or financial advice. Verify the latest details with Prometric and the Japan Foundation before booking.