Figures, prices and terms were checked against the official Rakuten Card pages and CIC, the credit information agency on 6 August 2026. They change — check the current terms yourself before you sign up or file anything.
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Summary
- Foreigners do get rejected more often – but for just three reasons, and all of them can be fixed.
- The best first card is the Rakuten Card: free forever, 1% points, and no annual fee at all, so holding it costs you nothing.
- If you’re rejected, the usual advice is to wait 6 months before applying again – so what you can check in advance is worth checking.
- Go through the 5-point checklist below before you apply.
- Cash-only living quietly costs you money
- “They rejected me when I showed my residence card”
- Why the Rakuten Card is the right first card
- Check your own situation before you apply
- How to apply (about 10 minutes)
- Worried about screening? A debit card is a valid path
- Rules once you have a card
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
- Related guides
Cash-only living quietly costs you money
Cash still works in Japan, so you might think you don’t need a card. But going without one costs you a little every month.
- Zero points: purchases that would earn 1% back, paid entirely in cash
- Stuck online: SIM contracts, flights, online sales – fewer options, or higher prices, without a card
- No credit history: your payment record in Japan is the foundation for future rentals, loans, and even permanent residence. Cash leaves no record.
“They rejected me when I showed my residence card”
You feel uneasy the moment you enter your nationality. The mood changes when you hand over your residence card in a shop. You get rejected and no one tells you why. Many foreigners share this experience.
There are three clear reasons foreigners get rejected – and all three can be handled.
Why the Rakuten Card is the right first card
Cards fall into types (“bank” cards, “retail” cards) with different screening. For a first card, choose a retail-type card, which tends to screen more flexibly – and the flagship is the Rakuten Card.
| Rakuten Card | Bank card | Debit card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free forever | often paid | usually free |
| Points | 1% (¥100 = 1pt) | ~0.5% | 0.2-1% |
| Screening | criteria not published | criteria not published | none |
| Builds credit | Yes | Yes | No |
| Students / part-time | OK from age 18 | can be hard | anyone |
- Free for life – holding it costs nothing
- 1% points – 3%+ in the Rakuten shop; stacks with Rakuten Mobile
- Online, ~10 minutes – no awkward in-store moment
- Students and part-timers can apply from age 18 – write your income honestly (exaggerating is more dangerous than a low figure)
Sign-up bonus (as of July 2026)
A new-card-plus-use campaign gives several thousand yen in Rakuten points (sometimes 5,000+). Since there’s no annual fee, that bonus is pure gain. Check the current amount on the official site.
Check your own situation before you apply
This is the most important part. CIC, the credit information agency, keeps a record of the application itself for 6 months from the date of the enquiry. Contrary to what most sites say, the outcome is not recorded — only the fact that a company looked you up. Even so, several enquiries in a short span read as “this person needs money”, and that counts against you. Re-applying right away usually fails, and repeated rejections make it worse. So don’t “just try.” Go through these 5 points before you send the application.
How to apply (about 10 minutes)
Worried about screening? A debit card is a valid path
If your residence period is short or your income is unstable, don’t force an application (a rejection means a 6-month wait). Use a debit card meanwhile – instant deduction from your bank account, no screening. Most online payments and SIM contracts accept debit. Once you renew and your income is steady, try a credit card again.
Another realistic option: the Epos Card
- No annual fee, and you can pick it up the same day at a Marui department store counter (residence card is fine for ID)
- Known for approving foreign residents – a common second choice after a Rakuten Card rejection
- A good bridge while you wait out the 6 months after a rejection
Rules once you have a card
- Always pay in full (“一括”). Revolving payment (リボ) on the Rakuten Card runs at 17.64% APR (official, August 2026). Leave ¥100,000 on it for a year and over ¥17,000 vanishes in charges. However tempting the offer, never switch to revolving.
- Check your balance before the payment date. Missed payments stay on your record and can hurt future rentals, loans, and residence applications.
- When you leave Japan, close your bank account only after the final payment clears.
Official source: Rakuten Card official site
Frequently asked questions
Can students and part-timers get a card?
Yes. The Rakuten Card is open to students and part-timers from age 18. Write your income honestly, even if it’s small.
My residence period is short – should I apply?
If under 6 months remain, apply after renewing. Use a debit card until then.
I was rejected. Can I re-apply right away?
No. The application enquiry stays on file at CIC for 6 months, so an immediate re-application usually fails. The rejection itself is not recorded. Wait 6 months and check the list first.
Do I need a Japanese bank account?
Yes, for payments. Open one first if you haven’t.
What’s the difference between credit and debit?
Credit is “pay later” and builds your history. Debit deducts instantly with no screening. If screening worries you, starting with debit is a good choice.
Summary
- The three reasons foreigners fail are all fixable
- First card: the free, 1%-points Rakuten Card
- Run the 5-point checklist and check them before you apply
- Still unsure? Waiting with a debit card is a smart move too
- After you get it: pay in full, never miss a payment. A card is a tool for building trust.
