Card Comparison
5 Credit Cards Foreigners Can Get in Japan【2026·Residence Card OK】
📋 Contents
Many worry that "foreigners can't get credit cards in Japan." In reality, screening is based on residence status, period of stay, income, and credit history — and many cards accept applications with just a residence card.
① Credit Card Comparison for Foreigners
- 🥇 Epos Card: free forever · easiest approval (◎) · no stay-period requirement · same-day issuance possible at Marui stores ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 🥈 Rakuten Card: free forever · 1% points (up to 3%+ on Rakuten Ichiba) · Rakuten ecosystem integration ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 🥉 Life Card: free · flexible screening for foreigners · 3x points in your birthday month ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 4. Saison Card: points never expire · in-person support counters nationwide ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 5. SBI Sumishin Visa Debit: no credit screening — just open a bank account ⭐⭐⭐
※Approval depends on your circumstances at application (income, period of stay, credit history) and is not guaranteed.
② Tips to Improve Approval Odds
- A longer period of stay (1+ year) helps. If yours is short, consider renewing your residence card first.
- Show income stability: full-time, dispatch, or contract work screens better than part-time.
- Don't apply to multiple cards at once: rapid multiple applications are flagged and screened harder.
- Prepare a payment account: a Japanese bank account is required for debits.
- Build credit history: starting with a debit or prepaid card is a valid path.
📌 Permanent residents screen especially well: permanent residents, special permanent residents, and spouses of Japanese nationals tend to pass more easily.
PR
No annual fee, easier approval — EPOS Card
Apply with your residence card. Same-day issuance at Marui stores. VISA with travel insurance.
EPOS Card official site →※Approval is not guaranteed (depends on income, residency, etc.). This article contains promotion.