I want to open Japanese debit and credit cards so that I can use them to receive salary, and withdraw money/pay when travelling abroad.
I need a bank where I can just do all the documents online, WITHOUT going in person. I tried Sumitomo bank, but they told me I only have to go irl during workdays, which does not work for me.
*I currently only have a Yucho cash card which is not an option to use overseas.
*I have been living in Japan for a few years, so I don’t think I have any limitations to open a bank account.
Any recommendations?
24 comments
PayPay Bank.
Do you want a bank account or a credit card? Generally they’re provided by separate institutions though some of the newer net solutions do both.
Most credit cards are not in-person applications.
Smbc prestia, SBI neo net bank, resona can all be applied for online.
I opened the sony bank account all online, and amazon credit card as well.
Let me just put on my Sony Bank simp hat 🎩
Sony is the easiest and quickest in my experience.
I have an Amazon credit card, which ia issued by SMBC. Was really simple.
Internet bank, I have sbi neo bank.
>I tried Sumitomo bank, but they told me I only have to go irl during workdays, which does not work for me.
Their new Olive bank account+credit card combo should be open-able online as long as you’re not a US citizen (requires additional paperwork).
Rakuten, SBI
Try rakuten card.
The application process is 100% online.
rakuten
Rakuten
r/JapanFinance
rakuten, sony
I have been using Rakuten bank and credit card.
MUFG
Sony Bank to get an online bank with a VISA Debit Card.
Add WISE to use for sending small amounts (up to about 500,000yen) overseas, and for online purchases. WISE gives you virtual debit cards that you can create & destroy at will. You can also turn the physical and virtual debit cards on and off via the WISE app. It’s a great addition to your banking setup. You never know when you might need to send some money overseas on short notice, good to have it set up and ready to go.
If you have a foreign AMEX card, you might be able to get a Japanese AMEX card more easily through their [global card relationship](https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/global-card-relationship/) program.
If you don’t have a foreign AMEX card, you will have to try some of the card companies in Japan. You should only apply for one every 6.5 months or so. Any rejections stay on your credit report for 6 months so you should wait long enough (6.5 months) from receiving the rejection before applying for another card. Having a rejection on your credit report is likely to lead to an immediate rejection of any further applications.
Rakuten and EPOS are often mentioned as the two easiest cards to get. Both have online applications. Neither are in English.
Some people mention Amazon as an easy card to get, but Amazon’s cards are managed by SMBC, and SMBC is not an easy card to get for most people.
Pretty much all of them? They’re desperate to have you apply online.
Rakuten Bank
PayPay Card, American Express, Epos, Rakuten. A lot of cards, in fact most of them do not require you to go there in person.
SMBC
Mizuho
SMBC Olive all done through the app, it’s one of the big 3 japan banks as well so compatible with basically anything you can think of.