Hi! It’s me, Sensei!
“I want to make a Credit Card (Credit Card / Kurejitto Kaado / クレジットカード) in Japan, but isn’t it impossible for foreigners?”
Are you giving up (Give up / Akirameru / 諦める) like that?
Actually, there are “cards that are easy for foreigners to apply for” in Japan.
That is the “Rakuten Card (Rakuten Card / Rakuten Kaado / 楽天カード)” I will introduce this time.
Today, I will teach you why Rakuten Card is recommended and important points to avoid failing the screening (Screening / Shinsa / 審査).
Why is “Rakuten Card” so popular?
There are many Japanese credit cards, but many trainees and Specified Skilled Workers choose Rakuten Card.
▲ This is the actual Rakuten Card. Simple and easy to use!
There are 3 reasons why it is chosen.
1. No Annual Fee forever (No Annual Fee)
Some cards cost money just to have them, but Rakuten Card costs “0 yen.”
It doesn’t cost money even if you don’t use it.
2. Easy to earn points (Points)
For every 100 yen used, you get 1 point (1 yen).
If you use it at convenience stores, supermarkets, and Rakuten Ichiba (Online Shopping), points will accumulate rapidly, and you can shop again with those points.
3. Many foreign users
Rakuten Card has the largest number of users among Japanese cards.
Therefore, they are used to dealing with foreigners, and there is more chance (Challenge) to apply than other strict bank cards.
Can I make one? (Checklist)
It doesn’t mean “Anyone can make it 100%.”
First, let’s check if you can apply.
✅ Things required for application
- Residence Card (Zairyu Card / 在留カード)
- Japanese Bank Account (Bank Account / Ginkou Kouza / 銀行口座)
*Yucho Bank is also OK! - Japanese Phone Number (Phone Number / Denwa Bangou / 電話番号)
- Workplace Information (Workplace Info / Kinmusaki / 勤務先)
People with Specified Skilled Worker (Tokutei Ginou / 特定技能)
High Chance!
You have a “Work Visa” and work just like Japanese people, so it is easy to pass the screening.
People with Intern Trainee (Ginou Jisshuu / 技能実習)
You can challenge!
However, it is ideal if your visa’s remaining period (Period of Stay / Zairyu Kikan / 在留期間) is “1 year or more.”
If it is very close to your return date, you might fail the screening.
【Super Important】 If you mistake this, you will fail the screening!
The Rakuten Card application is in Japanese.
Here is “a certain mistake (Mistake)” that many foreigners make.
That is an input error of your “Name.”
🚨 Make it “Exactly the Same” as your Residence Card!
Please enter your name on the application screen exactly as it is written on your Residence Card.
【Bad Example】
- ❌ Card: NGUYEN VAN A → Input: Nguyen Van A
(Uppercase and lowercase are different! This is mismatch!) - ❌ Card: MICHAEL SMITH → Input: マイケル スミス
(Wrote in Katakana!)
【Good Example】
- ⭕ Card: NGUYEN VAN A → Input: NGUYEN VAN A
Japanese credit card companies judge that “it is not the person himself/herself” if even one letter of the name spelling is different, and they fail the screening.
Be sure to look at your card and enter in Alphabets (Capital Letters / Oomoji / 大文字).
If you are worried about screening… (Debit Card)
“I’m worried because my visa period is short…”
“I have failed a credit card screening once.”
For such people, it is recommended to make a “Debit Card (Debit Card / Debitto Kaado / デビットカード).”
With a debit card, money is deducted from your bank account immediately after use.
Since there is no screening (No Screening / Shinsa nashi / 審査なし), anyone with a bank account can make one!
You can use it for online shopping and payments at convenience stores just like a credit card.
Summary: Let’s try applying first
Rakuten Card will be the strongest partner for you working hard in Japan.
- Annual fee is free.
- Write your name in the same Alphabet (Capital Letters) as your “Residence Card.”
- Enter your address exactly as it is on your Residence Card.
You won’t know if you pass the screening unless you apply.
Please be assured that your money will not decrease even if you fail.
Now, let’s start a convenient cashless life!
🎉 Points present now!
If you make a new Rakuten Card, you can receive about 5,000 yen to 8,000 yen worth of points.
(*Changes depending on the timing)
Application takes about 10 minutes from your smartphone!
Go to Rakuten Card Official Site ＞
*Click to open Rakuten’s page.
*Prepare your Residence Card at hand and start!
