Introduction
Foreign nurse candidates who enter Japan under Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) reside with the status of residence “Designated Activities (EPA nurse candidate)” while working at hospitals and preparing for the national nursing examination.
If they fail the exam in the final year of their permitted stay, many worry whether they must immediately return home or whether they can extend their stay to retake the exam.
This article explains, based on official information, the main conditions and options for continuing to stay in Japan after failing the exam, including the possibility of extending or changing the “Designated Activities (EPA nurse candidate)” status.
What Is “Designated Activities (EPA Nurse Candidate)” Status?
Under the EPA scheme, foreign nurse candidates come to Japan, work at designated medical institutions and aim to pass the Japanese national nursing examination while residing under the status of residence “Designated Activities.”
According to materials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), EPA nurse candidates are usually granted a maximum total stay of three years, during which they receive Japanese language training, on-the-job training and opportunities to sit for the national exam.
In the classification of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, this category is treated as “Designated Activities (EPA nurse candidate)” under the broader status of residence “Designated Activities.”
Basic Rule When You Fail the National Nursing Exam
MHLW guidance clearly states that if an EPA nurse candidate fails the national exam in the final year of his or her permitted stay, the program as an EPA candidate basically terminates and the person is expected to return home.
The MIC materials illustrate the typical flow as “continuous Japanese language study → national exam → fail (no qualification) → return home,” indicating that long-term repeat retakes under the same “EPA nurse candidate” status are not intended.
Therefore, once you fail the exam in the final year, further extension of the same “Designated Activities (EPA nurse candidate)” status beyond the maximum total period (normally three years) is generally not allowed.
Exceptional Extensions and “Special Candidate” Framework
In practice, however, some guidance describes a “special candidate” framework for certain candidates who fail in the final year, under which they may be given an additional opportunity to stay and retake the exam under limited conditions.
Handbooks prepared under MHLW supervision note that some EPA nurse candidates who fail in the final year can be treated as “special candidates” outside the normal EPA quota and be granted an additional period of stay to retake the exam.
This framework, however, is limited in number and subject to annual policy and bilateral arrangements, so it does not apply automatically to all failed candidates. Each candidate must confirm details via the accepting hospital and coordinating organizations such as JICWELS.
Options to Stay in Japan by Changing to Other Statuses
Even after the EPA candidate stay ends, it is possible to continue staying in Japan by changing from “Designated Activities (EPA nurse candidate)” to another appropriate status of residence, if the relevant conditions are met.
JICWELS guidance explains that an EPA candidate who changes to another status of residence (for example, Specified Skilled Worker (i) or Spouse or Child of Japanese National) may continue to live in Japan and still take the national nursing examination.
Other documents also mention cases where an EPA nurse candidate who obtained a practical nurse license but failed the national exam changes to the status of residence “Medical Services” and continues working as a practical nurse while aiming for future exam success.
Key Points for Approval of Extension or Change
When attempting to stay after failing the exam, immigration officers will particularly look at the following factors.
・Whether work performance and evaluation at the accepting medical institution have been good (attendance, performance records, supervisor evaluations).
・Whether there is a concrete job offer or continuing employment, and whether the person has a stable livelihood (salary level, working hours, social insurance enrolment).
・Whether the requirements for the new status of residence—such as “Medical Services,” “Specified Skilled Worker,” or “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”—are fully satisfied (for example, possession of a relevant license, passing the field- and language-specific tests for Specified Skilled Worker, etc.).
If these elements are convincingly demonstrated, the person may be allowed to stay in Japan by changing to a different status, even though the EPA candidate status itself cannot be extended.
Realistic Options After Failing the Exam
If you fail the national nursing examination, your main realistic options are as follows.
- Return home once and re-enter Japan under “Temporary Visitor” to take the exam again
MHLW-related materials state that after returning home, candidates can re-enter Japan with a Temporary Visitor status to sit the national exam.
In this case, you cannot work long-term in Japan, but you can come solely to take the exam under the status “Temporary Visitor.” - Change to another working status and combine employment with future exam attempts
As mentioned above, if you hold a practical nurse license you might switch to “Medical Services” and continue working as a practical nurse, or if you meet the requirements in another sector, you might change to “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” and work under that scheme.
If you have a Japanese spouse or other qualifying family ties, changing to statuses such as “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” or “Long-Term Resident” may be possible, allowing continued residence while preparing for future exams. - Confirm eligibility for any “special candidate” extension
Whether you can benefit from the “special candidate” framework for additional stay depends on yearly policies and the accepting institution’s decision. It is essential to confirm individually with your hospital and coordinating organizations like JICWELS.
Model Case
Example: Ms. A from the Philippines worked three years at a regional hospital as an EPA nurse candidate but failed the national exam in her final year.
She returned to her home country after her EPA stay ended, then later re-entered Japan on “Temporary Visitor” status solely to take the exam again.
By contrast, Mr. B from Indonesia obtained a practical nurse license during his stay. In consultation with his hospital, he changed his status of residence to “Medical Services” and continued working as a practical nurse in Japan, while preparing for the next national exam.
These fictional patterns illustrate how the available options differ depending on qualifications and employment situations.
Summary—Can You Extend Your Status After Failing?
・The “Designated Activities (EPA nurse candidate)” status is premised on passing the national exam within the maximum total period of stay, and it is generally not designed to be extended indefinitely after failure in the final year.
・Nevertheless, some candidates may be allowed a limited additional stay under special frameworks, and others may continue living and working in Japan by changing to another status of residence such as “Medical Services,” “Specified Skilled Worker,” “Spouse or Child of Japanese National,” or “Long-Term Resident,” where they meet the requirements.
・In all cases, it is essential to check the latest practice of the Immigration Services Agency, MHLW and related organizations, and to choose an appropriate strategy based on your qualifications, family situation and future plans, ideally with professional support.
If you are unsure which option applies to your situation, consulting an immigration law specialist or certified administrative scrivener is strongly recommended.
