JFT-Basic Prometric Guide (2026): ID, Booking and Test Day

Key Takeaways

You book JFT-Basic on Prometric's registration website. First you create a Prometric ID, then you log in, choose the test date, venue and start time, and pay.
One person may hold only one Prometric ID. Your name must be entered exactly as it appears on the MRZ of your passport, and registration errors may stop you from taking the test.
In the Philippines the test fee is PHP 2,010 (as of October 27, 2026). You can pay by Mastercard or VISA card (3D Secure), voucher, e-wallet or online banking.
Cancellations are not possible. Changes are allowed only until 23:59 Japan time, three business days before the test date (four business days before a weekend or Japanese holiday test), and only if there are vacant seats.
Whether you attend or not, test fees and vouchers are not refunded.
Prometric lists four test centers in the Philippines: two in Manila (Makati and Sampaloc), one in Cebu City and one in Davao City.
On test day, the only accepted ID in the Philippines is your original, valid passport. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the test. If you are late, you cannot take the test.
Your result appears on the screen at the end of the test. The official result notification is issued on your My Page within 5 business days.
You cannot retake the same test for 45 days, counted from the day after the test date. Once you score 200 or more, you cannot retake it.

This article covers how to use the Prometric site for JFT-Basic, from the ID to the result. For an overview of the Japanese tests used for work in Japan, see /tests.

What is JFT-Basic on Prometric?

JFT-Basic is the Japan Foundation's computer-based test of basic Japanese. The test has approximately 50 questions, and the test time is 60 minutes.

Prometric is the company that runs the test. You book, pay and receive your result through its site. Prometric lists JFT-Basic among its tests for SSW (Specified Skilled Worker), a Japanese status of residence for foreign workers in set job fields.

A few words appear again and again on the Prometric site:

Prometric ID: your personal account on the registration website.
Registration website / My Page: the Prometric site where you book, and your own page on it where you check your bookings and results.
Business day (Japan time): a working day on the Japanese calendar. Weekends and Japanese holidays are not business days, and the deadline time is Japan time, not Philippine time.

How does the whole process work?

The Japan Foundation describes the flow in these steps:

Go to Prometric's registration website and get a Prometric ID.
Check the test dates and venues for the country where you will take the test.
Log in with your Prometric ID.
Select the test date, test venue and test start time.
Pay. With a card or e-wallet, you enter your payment information and pay the fee. With a voucher, you enter the voucher number and its expiration date.
Reservation complete.
Before the test, review "Steps for Taking the Test" and the supplementary materials for test navigation, which show how to move through the test on screen.
Take the test.
Within 5 business days after the test, the notification of assessment results is issued on the registration website.

How do I create a Prometric ID?

You create the ID on Prometric's ID page. Prepare your passport before you start, because some of the details come from it.

What you enter	Prometric's rule
Email address	Enter a valid email address. If you have already created a Prometric ID, the ID will be sent to your registered email address.
Password	6 to 14 letters and numbers. Uppercase and lowercase letters are treated as different.
Nationality and test country	Select your nationality and the country where you will take the exam.
Name and passport details	Enter them exactly as they appear on the MRZ.
Phone number and address	Use letters and numbers only. Each address line can be 30 characters or less.

The MRZ is the two-line code of letters and numbers printed at the bottom of your passport. Prometric notes that the MRZ may differ from the name and number printed elsewhere, but you should still enter it exactly as it appears on the MRZ.

Prometric also sets these rules:

Symbols cannot be entered.
A name can be registered up to 39 characters.
One person may not obtain more than one Prometric ID.
If your registration information has errors, you may not be able to take the exam.
If unauthorized access is detected, your account will be deleted.
Keep your ID and password safe.

Your test-day ID check compares your passport with what you typed here, so this step matters more than it looks. With Prometric, a typing error can cost the test itself.

If you notice a mistake later, Prometric's FAQ has a page titled "Name, date of birth, gender, or nationality is incorrect," and another titled "I want to check my Prometric ID registration information."

Why should you create the ID yourself?

The ID is linked to your passport, one person may hold only one, and you need it again to book, change and check your result. If you create it yourself, you know exactly what was typed, and you keep the password in your own hands, as Prometric asks.

When does booking open?

The Japan Foundation publishes a yearly plan. For each two-month test term, the schedule is announced first, and booking opens later.

Test term	Test Schedule Announcement	Opening of Registration
April and May 2026	Mid-February	Early April
June and July 2026	Mid-April	Late May
August and September 2026	Mid-June	Late July
October and November 2026	Mid-August	Late September
December 2026 and January 2027	Mid-October	Late November
February and March 2027	Mid-December	Late January

The Japan Foundation notes that there is a possibility of change in this plan. Prometric also states that reservations may not be available for all of the dates shown. Check the actual dates and seats on the registration website before you plan around them.

How do I book and pay?

You log in with your Prometric ID, choose the date, venue and start time, and then pay. In the Philippines the JFT-Basic fee is PHP 2,010 (as of October 27, 2026).

Prometric accepts these payment methods in the Philippines:

Payment method	Prometric's notes
Credit, debit and prepaid cards	Mastercard and VISA only. Use a 3D Secure card.
Voucher	Bought in cash at a sales counter (see below).
E-wallet	Available services may change without notice.
Online banking	Available services may change without notice.

A 3D Secure card is a card that supports an extra identity check by the card's bank during online payment.

An e-wallet is a payment app on your phone that holds money. Prometric does not name the specific e-wallets or banks on its payment page, and it says they may change without notice, so check the list on the booking screen.

Where can I buy a voucher?

A voucher is a prepaid ticket for the test fee. When you book with a voucher, you enter its number and expiration date instead of card details. Prometric lists two sales counters in the Philippines, and both take cash payment.

City	Seller	Address	Open
Cebu	TRAIN,EDUC & DEV CONS INC.	SUITE 308 Centro Maximo D Jakosalem St, Cebu City	Wednesday and Thursday, 10am–3pm
Davao	Horizon Psychological and Testing Center, Inc.	Att Commercial Complex, D-4B Avancena St., Cor J Camus Ext, Barangay 9-A, Davao City	Monday–Wednesday, 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm

Before you go:

The counters are closed on local holidays.
Bring the exact amount, so you do not need change.
Bring a valid ID document when you buy.
A voucher may be sold at a location different from your test center.

Can I cancel or change a JFT-Basic booking?

No. Cancellations are not possible. You can only change a booking, and only under these conditions:

Deadline: reservations and changes can be made until 23:59 Japan time, three business days before the test date. If the test date is on a Saturday, Sunday or Japanese holiday, the deadline is four business days before.
After the deadline, no changes can be made.
Seats: the schedule can be changed only if there are vacant seats.
No refunds: regardless of attendance or absence on the test day, test fees and vouchers are not refunded, and vouchers are not reissued.

The Japan Foundation's flow page gives the same three-business-day and four-business-day rule for making a reservation. Because the deadline is counted in Japan time and on Japanese business days, a Japanese holiday can move it earlier than you expect. Check the Japanese calendar before the deadline, not on the last night.

Where are the JFT-Basic test centers in the Philippines?

Prometric lists four test centers in the Philippines:

Code	Area	Test center	Address
PHJ01	Makati City, Metro Manila	Prometric Bulatao Test Center	c/o 2/F ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY, 130 HV Dela Costa St. Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227, Metro Manila
PHJ05	Sampaloc, Manila	9.0 Niner Pcampa	Mezzanine level, Concepcion Villaroman Bldg. P.Campa St corner Espana, Sampaloc, Manila, 1015
PHJ03	Cebu City	TRAIN, EDUC & DEV CONS INC.	Centro Maximo Bldg., Room 308, V. Ranudo cor Jakosalem Streets, 6000, Cebu City
PHJ04	Davao City	Horizon Psychological and Testing Center, Inc.	MacVille Building Ground Floor, Voyager Street, Doña Vicenta Village Phase I, Barangay 9A, Davao City 8000

The Makati center is inside Ateneo de Manila University's building. Prometric states that casual, revealing or extreme clothing and slippers are prohibited at Ateneo University. Prometric does not publish a clothing rule for the other centers.

When you book, the registration website shows which dates are open at each center. Pick the center first, then look for a date.

What happens on test day?

On test day you bring two things: your passport and your Confirmation Letter (the booking confirmation for your reservation).

ID rules for the Philippines:

Passport only. No other ID is accepted.
It must be the original (copies are invalid) and within its validity period.
Your name, passport number and date of birth must exactly match the information registered with your Prometric ID.
If you cannot present a valid ID, you cannot take the test, and you cannot get a refund or change your test date.

On JFT-Basic test day, the only ID that counts is the passport, so check that it is in your bag before you leave home.

Arrival: arrive at the test center reception 15 to 30 minutes before the test time. If you are late, you will not be able to take the test.

Check-in: at check-in (the reception steps before the test), you may be asked to read your reservation number aloud. Your face is photographed, and the photo is used in your score report. After check-in, the proctor (the staff member who watches the exam room) takes you to your seat.

In the exam room, you may bring only:

your ID document
your Confirmation Letter
your Q number card
your locker key

Prometric states that bringing anything else will be considered cheating. Keep everything else out of the exam room.

The test has approximately 50 questions and lasts 60 minutes. If you have not used a computer-based test before, the Japan Foundation's "Steps for Taking the Test" and test-navigation materials show how the screens work. The free official practice materials are covered in JFT-Basic Reviewer: The Free Official Practice Materials and How to Use Them.

How do I get my JFT-Basic result?

Your test result is displayed on the computer screen at the end of the test. The official notification of assessment results is issued on the Prometric website: log in to My Page and check it within 5 business days after the test. Prometric's FAQ has a page called "How to print the result notice (Google Chrome)."

The Japan Foundation assesses scores at these levels. A1 is the most basic level, and A2 is one step above it.

Score	Level
145 to 174	A1
175 to 199	A2.1
200 to 250	A2.2 (A2)

Prometric notes that from August 2026, JFT-Basic can also judge A1 and A2.1.

Retakes:

You cannot take the same test again for 45 days, counted from the day after the test date.
Once you score 200 or more in total, you are not eligible to retake the test.

Where the test result fits in the visa steps is explained in How to Apply for an SSW Visa in Japan: Every Step in Order.

Where can I get help?

Prometric: use the inquiry form on Prometric's site (https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/contact/). The Prometric FAQ (https://faq2.prometric-jp.com/en) also covers common questions.
Japan Foundation, Manila: jfmanila@jpf.go.jp, +63-(0)2-5322-3200.

How to check your booking before you pay

In my SEO and affiliate work, I always checked the source URL of every number and compared more than one data source. In projects, I decided the criteria first and then moved forward. A JFT-Basic booking cannot be cancelled, so the same habits help here.

Decide your checks before you open the payment page. Is your passport valid on the test date? Does your Prometric ID match the MRZ exactly? Can you reach the test center 15 to 30 minutes early? Is the date before the change deadline still far enough away for you?
Read the rule on the official page yourself. Use the Japan Foundation and Prometric pages, not screenshots or posts shared online. The booking deadline appears on both sites, and you can compare them.
Check where a date came from and whether the dates line up. The yearly plan can change, and not every listed date may have seats. The registration website is the place to confirm.
Pay only when every check is done. After you pay, the fee does not come back, even if you do not attend.

Taking JFT-Basic is one step, not the whole decision. Think about your own experience and what you are good at, and talk your plans over with friends, people who have already gone to Japan, or professionals.

FAQ

Q: How much is the JFT-Basic test fee in the Philippines?

PHP 2,010 (as of October 27, 2026), according to Prometric's fee page. You can pay with a Mastercard or VISA card that supports 3D Secure, a voucher, an e-wallet or online banking.

Q: Can I cancel my JFT-Basic booking and get a refund?

No. Prometric does not allow cancellations, and test fees and vouchers are not refunded whether you attend or not. You can only change the date, until 23:59 Japan time three business days before the test (four business days before a weekend or Japanese holiday test), and only if a seat is free.

Q: What ID do I need for JFT-Basic in the Philippines?

Your original, valid passport. It is the only accepted ID in the Philippines, and your name, passport number and date of birth must exactly match your Prometric ID registration.

Summary

To take JFT-Basic in the Philippines, you first create a Prometric ID on Prometric's registration website, entering your name exactly as it appears on your passport's MRZ. You may hold only one ID, and registration errors may stop you from taking the test. You then choose a date, venue and start time and pay PHP 2,010 by card, voucher, e-wallet or online banking. Bookings cannot be cancelled, fees are not refunded, and changes close at 23:59 Japan time three business days before the test (four before a weekend or Japanese holiday test). Prometric lists four test centers: Makati, Sampaloc, Cebu City and Davao City. On test day, bring your original passport and Confirmation Letter, and arrive 15 to 30 minutes early. Your result appears on screen, and the official notification arrives on My Page within 5 business days.

Create your Prometric ID now, check the details against your passport, and watch for the next registration opening on the Japan Foundation's schedule. For the other tests used for work in Japan, see /tests.

Sources

Japan Foundation, JFT-Basic flow from booking to results: https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/schedule/flow.html
Japan Foundation, About JFT-Basic: https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/about/
Japan Foundation, JFT-Basic test schedule FY2026 (PDF): https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/schedule/pdf/test_schedule_2026.pdf
Japan Foundation, Manila, Tips for JFT-Basic examinees: https://jfmo.org.ph/for_educ_institution/tips-jft-basic-examinees/
Prometric, Prometric ID: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/exam/id/
Prometric, JFT-Basic test page: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/test_list/archives/1
Prometric, Overseas test schedule: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/schedule/overseas/
Prometric, Test fees: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/exam/fee/
Prometric, Payment methods: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/exam/payment/
Prometric, Voucher sales locations: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/exam/voucher/sales/
Prometric, Overseas test centers: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/hall/overseas/
Prometric, Identification documents: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/exam/identification/
Prometric, Test day flow (overseas): https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/exam/flow/overseas/
Prometric, FAQ: https://faq2.prometric-jp.com/en
Prometric, Inquiry form: https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/contact/