Complete Wise Guide for Foreigners in Japan【From Verification to First Transfer】
※This article contains promotion.
- Want to lower transfer fees
- Want to register and send entirely online
- Want to register using just a residence card
*Free to register, no maintenance fee, residence card accepted. Check the official site for current fees and rates.
- Wise uses the mid-market interbank exchange rate, which keeps its fee structure clear and easy to keep low.
- You can register with just your residence card (both sides); initial identity verification can take a few days.
- Registration through your first transfer generally takes 4 steps: install the app → verify with your residence card → fund in JPY → register the recipient and send.
- A residence card and Japanese address are all you need to register — easy to use for foreign residents.
- Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate (the real market rate), making it easier to keep exchange costs lower than a bank transfer.
- Initial identity verification (KYC) can take a few days, so register in advance if you plan to send money soon.
- The process is simple: add a recipient account in the app → enter amount → pay via bank transfer. Three steps and you're done.
① What is Wise? — A Low-Cost International Remittance Service
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a UK-born international money transfer service. It uses the mid-market exchange rate (the real market rate), making it far cheaper than banks. Over 16 million users; supports currencies of 80+ countries.
Fee comparison for sending ¥100,000 (JPY→CNY reference): Wise ~¥650–1,200 / SBI Remit free–¥748 (with rate spread) / megabank ~¥2,500–5,000 + rate spread.
We don't base our recommendation on whether a service advertises with us. We evaluate it objectively using the following criteria.
- Whether it uses the interbank mid-market rate
- How clearly fees are disclosed
- Whether registration with a residence card is possible
- Japanese-language app support
- Transfer speed
② Sign-up & Verification Steps (Residence Card OK)
- Install the official Wise app from the App Store/Google Play (free)
- Register with your email; choose "personal account"
- Submit ID: your residence card (both sides) alone is enough!
- Wait for review (about 1–3 business days)
- Done → start sending money
③ How to Send Money (e.g., JPY to CNY)
- Tap "Send" on the app home screen; enter the amount and target currency
- Review the fee and the exact amount the recipient gets (shown in real time)
- Enter recipient details (name, bank, account number, SWIFT/BIC)
- Fund the transfer: bank transfer (most reliable) / convenience store / debit card
- Done → arrives within hours to 1 business day; track in the app
④ Fees & Exchange Rate Mechanics
Wise charges "a percentage of the amount (0.4–1.5%) + a fixed fee." The exchange rate is the mid-market rate (what Google shows). JPY→CNY ~0.5–0.7%, JPY→VND ~0.5–0.9%, JPY→USD ~0.4–0.6%. Check the official simulator for exact costs.
Having a Japanese bank account is convenient for funding transfers. If you don't have one yet, see the guide to opening & comparing bank accounts for foreigners.
⑤ FAQ
A. Yes — your residence card (both sides) completes verification. No passport needed. Make sure the card hasn't expired.
A. Roughly up to ¥1 million (or equivalent) per transfer. Limits vary by verification level; larger transfers may require extra documents.
A. No. Anyone with an overseas bank account can receive.
To compare fees and transfer speeds between Wise, SBI Remit, and bank wires, see the overseas remittance comparison guide.
If your destination country is set, compare fees and delivery speed by country in our Japan→China remittance guide and Japan→Vietnam remittance guide. If you send money to support family back home and meet the conditions, you may reduce your income and resident tax through the overseas dependent deduction.
Are you losing money on transfer fees and exchange rates without realizing it? Wise (multi-currency transfers) has a clear fee structure and can sometimes send at near the real exchange rate.
- Want to lower transfer fees
- Want it done online
- Sending a small to mid-size amount
*Free to sign up. Residence card accepted for verification. Check the official site for the latest fees and rates.
* Fees, rates and supported countries change; check the official site. Availability may depend on residence status/verification.