Hi guys not sure if it’s appropriate asking here but I want to hear about your experience of opening a bank account in Japan as a foreigner. I am currently researching about the process of opening an account for my upcoming studies and seems like the process could be quite tedious and complicated for foreigners with no prior knowledge about this. Each bank has their own policies and it was a little confusing so I would love to know what does everyone here recommends. Not sure if locations plays a factor but I will be in Fukuoka for 3 years or more. From what I read I need my passport, my visa, a residence card which I’m not that familiar with, a stamp with my initials etc, and if I want to transfer fund from oversea, a number card from city hall is required?
Sorry if it’s a little confusing, any input is welcomed and appreciated!
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/154l45z/opening_a_bank_account_in_japan/
8 comments
Took me hours. The bank closed and I was still in there. If your American it’s probably the most difficult. But, it’s not the bank it’s the American government. They want to catch as many low/middle class tax dodgers as possible. If your rich don’t worry about it and feel free to cheat the system as much as you like without any repercussions.
Whichever company hired you will help with all of those things.
My experience is probably different but anyway. I got a scholarship from the Japanese government for my study in Japan. It was only about 6 months but I was required to open a bank account to received the scholarship. My ONLY option was JP post bank. It was pretty stressful cuz I don’t speak Japanese that well but everything was completed online. If you use this bank, they will have you download an app and apply online so it’s really easy… IF you’re able to download the app. Which I wasnt. So I had to go to branch and do it.
I learned later on that the reason I was not able to download the app is because my App Store was still set to my home country so I had to switch it to japan.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU SWITCH YOUR APP STORE region to japan and do not have a Japanese form of payment, you must cancel all subscriptions associated with your apple account (which is easy and can be done from your phone)
Idk if this helps but 🙂
GMO or JP bank is the easiest.
Opening a bank account was the most stressful experience before finding my own apartment.
I agree with the comments above that JP Bank is the best (& only option).
If your work place doesn’t help you, make sure to have a copy of your work contract and/or any other document that confirms your employment.
Also japan post allows you to open the account with your signature if you don’t have a stamp.
For transferring funds from overseas, I suggest wise cause it worked for me pretty well
You basically need to show that you are in Japan legally and have residency status. You shouldn’t have a problem doing that if you have a residency card. Just take your passport and your residency card to the bank where you want to open your account.
Sony Bank. I never had to step foot in the agency. Opening the account from my bedroom with my phone.
The actual process of filling out the forms is very tedious. There can be no mistakes anywhere or they will make you redo everything so be careful, take your time, use google translate and do your best.