Step-by-step Guide
How Foreigners Open a Bank Account in Japan【2026 Step-by-Step】
📋 Table of Contents
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Living in Japan, you can't get by without a bank account — salary deposits, rent debits, tax payments all require one. Foreigners with a residence card and registered address can open an account at most banks. However, those in Japan less than 6 months are treated as "non-residents" and may be declined. This guide covers pre-application preparation, opening steps by bank, and common rejection cases with fixes.
① Before You Start
Complete these 3 things before applying. Without them, your application will stall whether at a branch or via app.
Prep 1
Complete resident registration (Juminhyo)
Submit a move-in notification at your city/ward office so your address appears on the Juminhyo. The back of your residence card is updated at the same time. Without resident registration, most banks cannot open an account.
Prep 2
Receive your My Number notification
After the move-in notification, your My Number notice arrives by mail in 2–3 weeks. Banks usually ask you to present or declare your My Number, so have the notice or My Number Card ready.
Prep 3
Get a Japanese phone number
A Japanese mobile number is required for app applications, SMS verification, and identity checks. Get one early with a prepaid or budget SIM after arrival.
② Documents Checklist
Documents to present/submit when applying
- Residence card (copy/photo of both sides)
- Passport (sometimes requested as secondary ID)
- My Number (notification or Individual Number Card)
- Juminhyo or other official proof of current address
- Japanese phone number (mobile/landline)
- Personal seal (inkan) (more banks now accept signatures — check first)
- Employer/school information (certificate of employment/enrollment sometimes required)
📌 Identity verification law: Bank accounts require identity verification under the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds. For foreigners, the standard set is residence card + proof of address.
③ Which Bank to Choose (Quick Table)
The easiest bank depends on how long you've been in Japan, employment status, and purpose. Start with this table.
| Bank | Just arrived | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Post Bank (Yucho) | Easy | Branch | Available at post offices nationwide. Relatively flexible even with a short stay. Best first account |
| Seven Bank | Easy | App/ATM | Multilingual application flow. May accept under-6-month residents with a certificate of employment. |
| SBI Sumishin Net Bank | After employment | Online | Low fees and strong for international transfers. Resident registration + employer info improves approval odds. |
| Rakuten Bank | After employment | Online | App-complete. Earn points via salary deposit and Rakuten services. |
| MUFG / SMBC / Mizuho | Stricter | Branch | Reliable for salary accounts. Realistic after securing a job rather than right after arrival. |
💡 Strategy: Open your first account at Yucho/Seven Bank right after arrival, then once registered and employed, split by purpose: megabank for salary, net bank for savings and transfers.
④ Open via Mobile App (Seven Bank Example)
STEP 1
Download the app
Get the Seven Bank app from the App Store/Google Play. A multilingual flow is available.
STEP 2
Enter basic information
Enter your name (in Roman letters as on your residence card), date of birth, address, and employer/occupation. The address must match your residence card and Juminhyo.
STEP 3
Identity verification (online)
Verify with a photo of your residence card + a face video (selfie). Shoot in a bright place so all text on the card is legible.
STEP 4
Register your My Number
Photograph your My Number notice or My Number Card to register.
STEP 5
Review & card delivery
Results usually arrive in the app within 3–10 business days; the cash card is sent by registered mail to your residence-card address. Present your residence card when receiving it.
⑤ Open at a Branch (Japan Post Bank Example)
STEP 1
Visit your nearest post office
Bring your residence card, passport, My Number notice, and seal (some accept signatures). Tell the counter "kōza o hirakitai" (I'd like to open an account).
STEP 2
Fill in the application
Enter your name, address, phone number, occupation, and purpose. The address must exactly match your residence card. Never leave the occupation field blank (a common rejection cause).
STEP 3
Verification & processing
Your residence card is copied and processed with the application. Some branches hand you a passbook the same day; others mail it later.
STEP 4
Receive your cash card
The cash card arrives later (about 1–2 weeks) by registered mail. You can then use post office and convenience store ATMs plus Yucho Direct (online banking).
⑥ Open Online (SBI Sumishin / Rakuten Example)
Net banks are fully online. Realistic once you have resident registration and employer details. Fees are low and international transfers are convenient (SBI Sumishin pairs well with Wise).
STEP 1
Apply on the official site
Go to the new-account form at SBI Sumishin/Rakuten Bank. Enter your name, address, and date of birth exactly as on your Juminhyo.
STEP 2
eKYC (online identity verification)
Complete eKYC with your residence card + a face video (selfie). Some banks support NFC reading of the My Number Card, which is smoother.
STEP 3
Enter employment & residency details
Enter your employer, occupation, income band, residence status, and period of stay. Applications may be unavailable if your period of stay is 3 months or less.
STEP 4
Review & card delivery
Review usually takes 1–2 weeks. Once approved, the cash card arrives by registered mail. Login ID/password typically come separately.
⑦ Common Rejections & Fixes
❌ Declined for being in Japan less than 6 months
Under foreign exchange law practice, those in Japan under 6 months may be treated as "non-residents," and many banks decline them.
✅ Fix: Prioritize Yucho/Seven Bank right after arrival. A certificate of employment may get you accepted even under 6 months. Try net banks like SBI Sumishin after the 6-month mark.
❌ Declined for a period of stay of 3 months or less
With short-stay visas or a period of stay of "3 months" or less, most banks will not open an account.
✅ Fix: Renew your period of stay first. Complete your residence status renewal before applying.
❌ Address doesn't match the residence card
If you apply after moving without updating the address on the back of your residence card, identity verification fails.
✅ Fix: Report your address change at the city/ward office within 14 days of moving. Apply after the new address is printed on the back of your card.
❌ Leaving the occupation field blank
"Unemployed" or blank entries are viewed negatively — banks scrutinize this to prevent fraud accounts.
✅ Fix: State your actual status honestly: "company employee," "self-employed," "student," "homemaker." Students add their school name; employees their company name.
❌ Not presenting your My Number
Declaring your My Number is technically voluntary, but some banks put applications on hold if you refuse.
✅ Fix: Always present your My Number notice or Individual Number Card. It's standard in Japan for tax and pension administration.
⑧ After You Open the Account
- Designate it for salary deposits: Give your account number to your employer.
- Set up rent & utility debits: Submit direct-debit forms to your real estate agency and utility companies.
- Manage your PIN: Choose a 4-digit PIN different from your birthday or phone number. Don't share it even with family.
- Register for online banking: Balance checks, transfers, and remittances from your phone — especially handy for international transfers.
- Apply for a credit card: After a few months of salary deposits, credit card approval becomes much easier.
⚠️ Selling or lending your account is a crime: Selling, lending, or transferring your account to others is prohibited under the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds and the Penal Code. If discovered, it can lead to deportation and denial of permanent residency or naturalization.
⑨ FAQ
Q. Can I open an account right after arriving in Japan?
A. At Japan Post Bank or Seven Bank, you may be able to with a residence card and resident registration. Net banks and megabanks are realistic after 6+ months of residence and securing employment.
Q. Can I open an account while my residence card is lost?
A. Generally no. Complete the reissuance procedure at the Immigration Services Agency and apply after receiving your new card.
Q. Do I need a personal seal (inkan)?
A. Branch openings at Yucho and megabanks usually require a seal (an everyday one is fine), but signature accounts are increasingly accepted. Net banks are signature-only — no seal needed.
Q. Can one person hold multiple bank accounts?
A. Yes. Splitting by purpose — megabank for salary, net bank for savings, Wise pairing for transfers — is legal and convenient. However, multiple accounts at the same bank may not be allowed.
Q. What if I forget my cash card PIN?
A. Visit the branch where you opened the account with ID documents (residence card, passbook, registered seal) to reset it. It generally can't be changed by phone or online.
Q. Should I close my account when leaving Japan?
A. Yes, we recommend closing it. Unused accounts become dormant and may not be reactivatable when you return. If you still owe resident tax, appoint a tax manager before closing.
Which bank suits you best? See comparison table
Compare 6 banks (foreigner-friendly, online, major, postal) on fees and ease of use.
See comparison table