5 Japanese credit cards recommended for foreigners! Tips for passing the examination
“I want to get a credit card in Japan, but is it possible for a foreigner who doesn’t have Japanese nationality to get one?”
“I want to know which Japanese credit cards are recommended for foreigners.”
“I want to know about advantageous credit cards for foreigners.”
In this article, we will explain the following for foreigners who are thinking like this.
- Can foreigners get a credit card in Japan?
- 5 Japanese credit cards recommended for foreigners
- Points for foreigners to pass the Japanese credit card screening process
If you want to get a credit card in Japan or want to know about advantageous credit cards, please use this as a reference.
◆If you want to know how to get a credit card, please refer to the article below.
How can foreigners obtain a credit card in Japan?
Even foreigners can get a credit card in Japan!
Even foreigners without permanent residency can get a credit card in Japan.
However, as a valid ID in Japan is required, the conditions are as follows.
- Special permanent resident: Presentation of special permanent resident certificate
- Mid- to long-term residents: Presentation of residence card
Please note that foreigners who do not have a special permanent resident certificate, residence card, or permanent resident status cannot create a credit card.
For short-term stays, we recommend creating a bundle card.
If your stay is less than 3 months, you will not be issued a residence card (visa) and will not be able to get a credit card.
In that case, we recommend creating a "bundle card".
A bundle card is a prepaid card provided by Visa. By applying through the app, a virtual card exclusively for online shopping will be issued, and you can use it immediately by charging it with the amount of money you want to use.
Also, by issuing a real card, you can use it in the same way as a credit card at Visa member stores such as local shops.
There are no screening or age restrictions, and anyone can create one for free, so try using it if you can't create a credit card.
▶️ bundle card
The following article introduces tips on how to avoid being rejected for a credit card application in Japan. Please also read the following articles.
How to make it easier for foreigners to obtain a credit card in Japan
5 Recommended Credit Cards for Foreigners
Here we will tell you about 5 credit cards recommended for foreigners.
- Sumitomo Mitsui Card VISA (NL)
- rakuten card
- JCB CARD W
- amex green
- epos card
I will explain in detail.
1. Sumitomo Mitsui Card VISA (NL)
Sumitomo Mitsui Card VISA (NL) is a credit card provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation that has no annual fee for a lifetime.
On the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation website's Frequently Asked Questions, there is a question that asks, ``Q. I have a foreign nationality, can I open an account?'' and ``Non-Japanese nationals can also open an account.'' You can apply with confidence as the answers to these questions are listed.
Sumitomo Mitsui Card VISA (NL)hereYou can apply from.
reference: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
2.Rakuten Card
Rakuten Card is a credit card provided by Rakuten Group, Inc.
This credit card has a reputation for being relatively easy to obtain even for Japanese people, and it is thought that it will be easy for foreign nationals to pass the examination.
Identity verification can be cleared by presenting your residence card or special permanent resident certificate when receiving your card.
Of course, the annual membership fee is free forever.
Rakuten card ishereYou can apply from.
reference:rakuten card
3.JCB CARD W
JCB CARD W is a credit card provided by JCB Corporation.
Anyone under the age of 39 can apply. (Application method is only available online)
The appeal of this card is that it has no annual fee for a lifetime, but it also gives you double the points of a regular card.
Regarding identity verification documents, there is a mention of "residence card, special permanent resident certificate, etc.", which suggests that applications from foreign nationals are also expected. Therefore, it can be said that it is a card that even foreigners can apply for with confidence.
JCB CARD W ishereYou can apply from.
reference:About required documents
4.American Express® Card
The American Express® Card is a credit card provided by American Express International Incorporated.
The annual membership fee is 132,000 yen (tax included), but you can receive various benefits unique to American Express.
There is an item in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section that says, "I am a foreign national. Is there anything I should be careful about when applying?", so it can be said that it is possible for foreign nationals to apply for this credit card. .
Therefore, you can apply with confidence.
The American Express® card ishereYou can apply from.
reference:american express
5.Epos card
Epos Card is a credit card provided by Epos Card Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Marui Group Co., Ltd.
As it is a ``distribution type'' card with a low screening difficulty, it can be said to be a recommended card for those who are ``creating a credit card in Japan for the first time'' or ``worried about passing the screening process.''
By signing up, you can use insurance for overseas travel, so this card is also recommended for those who frequently return home.
Since "residence card, special permanent resident certificate" is also listed in the required identification documents column, it can be said that this credit card is intended for foreigners to apply for.
You can apply for an EPOS card from below.
reference:epos card
6 points for foreigners to pass Japanese credit card screening
From here, we will tell you six points for foreigners to pass the Japanese credit card screening process.
- Prepare identification documents other than residence card and special permanent residence certificate.
- Read and understand the terms of use etc.
- stay at the same job for a long time
- Apply while your remaining period of stay is long
- Don't apply for multiple credit cards at once
- Set the cash advance limit to “0 yen”
Let's check them one by one.
1. Prepare identification documents other than residence card and special permanent residence certificate.
When creating a credit card, you will need an identification document such as a residence card or special permanent residence certificate, but you can also create one by submitting the following documents to prove your identity.
- Driving license, driving history certificate
- passport
- Individual number card, basic resident register card with photo
- An identification card with a photo issued by a government agency
- Qualification certificate issued by a public institution with a photo (disability certificate, etc.)
Many of these often have a condition that they be issued within Japan.
In this way, being able to present an "identification document issued in Japan" increases the creditworthiness of the card company toward the applicant.
As a result, it will be easier to pass credit card screening.
2. Read and understand the terms of use etc.
By carefully reading and understanding the terms of use, you can feel safe in an emergency.
Additionally, terms of use are often written in Japanese. Whether or not you can understand Japanese is considered important in credit card screening.
This is because even if you have trouble using your credit card, if your credit card is issued in Japan, we will respond to you in Japanese.
Before you study Japanese, it's a good idea to check the terms of use.
3. Work at the same workplace for a long time
If you are staying in Japan for work, it will be easier to pass the credit card application if you work at the same workplace for as long as possible.
This is because in Japan, ``working for the same company for a long time'' = ``receiving stable income for a long period of time'', and it is thought that there is less worry about payment delays.
By the way, you may receive a phone call from your workplace asking if you really work there, so be aware of this before applying for a credit card.
4. Apply while your remaining period of stay is long
Applying while your period of stay is long will make it easier to pass the credit card screening process.
This is because if you apply while your period of stay is short, you may be worried that you will be forced to return to your home country before the payment is completed.
If you are not a special permanent resident, please apply well in advance of your period of stay.
5. Don't apply for multiple credit cards at once
Another important point in passing the screening process is not to apply for multiple credit cards at once.
When you apply for a credit card, a record of your application will be kept. When conducting an examination, we also check the history and use it as the examination criteria.
If you have multiple credit card application history, it may make people look suspicious and ask, ``Do you need money urgently?'' and it may be difficult to pass the screening process.
Once you apply for a credit card, your application history remains for 6 months.
If you are unsuccessful in your credit card application, wait at least 6 months before applying for the next application.
6. Set the cash advance limit to “0 yen”
If you apply with a cash advance limit of 0 yen, it may be easier to pass the credit card screening process.
Credit cards have a shopping limit (which can be used for shopping) and a cash advance limit (which can be used to borrow cash), and when setting a cash advance limit, a separate review is conducted from the shopping limit.
By setting the cash advance limit to 0 yen, the cash advance limit will not be reviewed, so it will be easier to pass the review.
If you do not plan to borrow cash using a credit card, we recommend setting your cash advance limit to 0 yen.
3 things foreigners need when creating a credit card
When a foreigner creates a credit card, the following three items are required.
- Address in Japan
- Bank account in Japan
- Contact information (mobile or landline)
Many people may have an address and a mobile phone (or landline phone), but many do not have a bank account in Japan.
A bank account in Japan is required to debit the amount paid by credit card.
You can create one by preparing your residence card (or special permanent resident certificate) and resident card, so be sure to create one before applying for a credit card.
summary
In this article, we have explained the Japanese credit cards that are recommended for foreigners and the points to be careful about in order to pass the examination.
I will summarize the contents so far.
- Even foreigners who do not have permanent resident status can get a Japanese credit card if they are special permanent residents or medium- to long-term residents (requires presentation of special permanent resident certificate or residence card).
- There are five Japanese credit cards recommended for foreigners: Sumitomo Mitsui Card VISA (NL), Rakuten Card, JCB CARD W, Amex Green, and Epos Card.
- Know the key points to pass the screening process, such as having an ID issued in Japan, working at the same workplace for a long time, and not applying for multiple credit cards at once.
To make your life in Japan more convenient, we recommend having a credit card issued in Japan.
We hope this article helps you get a credit card that will enrich your life.
