Hello,
I just moved to Tokyo with working visa and I got all the things ready except the bank account.
I have Zairyu Card, 住民票、Cellphone number and Inkan. I can speak Japanese so communication isn’t a problem either.
I went to Sumitomo today and presented my Zairyu card and they said unless I was living in Japan for more than 6 months, I can’t make an account – also assuming that other big banks will say the same.
Then…How do foreigners get paid when they first arrive? Is there another trick where I can convince them that I am qualified for a bank account? (i.e. a letter from HR stating that I am legally employed)
Thank you!
37 comments
Try more banks before assuming they’ll say no. You’re right, you can’t get paid until you have one so better hurry!
sony accepts
Copying my reply from a thread of someone asking this exact same thing literally 2 days ago:
Japan Post (Yucho) will let you. They’re the only one that will if you’re doing it by yourself before 6 months. Some banks may agree to let you before 6 months if you take your employer with you or if they are willing to accept employment documents, otherwise your only choice is JP.
I used a letter from my employer as proof of employment to open my bank account when I first moved. I would suggest you to try foreigner friendly banks like Shinsei bank (the one I went with), Sony bank, SMBC Prestia, etc
Those 6 months don’t apply if you’re employed, you need an Employee ID Card or Health Insurance Card to show that you’re employed. The person/employee you spoke to at Sumito has probably no idea.
Apply via their homepage instead.
See: https://www.smbctb.co.jp/en/openaccount/application_pc.html?mcid=CD0100
>working visa
As an employee, You can open a Sony bank account by showing proof of employment: https://moneykit.net/en/help/account/doc/04.html
Trial and error is an option – I had to ask five different banks before finding one that would let me open an account.
Also, if you can get a Japanese colleague to go with you, it may increase your chances. One bank that told me to get lost almost immediately, but let my friend open an account when she went with a coworker.
It can be kinda RNG, but if you keep asking around you might find one that will take you. Best of luck
Japan Post Bank (Japanese only interface), SBI Shinsei Bank (English support) will allow without 6 months clause.
SBI
You already got the answer (Yuucho), but just an additional tip : when you eventually get to the point that you want a credit card, sumitomo-mitsui is the most reliable option for foreigners
Anyone else read this as “how to make bank…?”
Yucho and Shinsei.
Sony Bank. All online. They accepted a business card (which I didn’t have) or a utility bill (which I did). Did it within maybe 2-3 months of arriving.
do not go with yucho, go with SMBC Prestia.
They have some form you can fill out if you’ve been here less than 6 months that asks for your employer’s info, salary, etc.
My wife and I moved here and were told by a couple of different banks that we couldn’t make an account till we had been here for six months. Then we tried Mitsubishi and they created an account for us. They called it something like a “kari” account, which means it was kind of a trial account with a couple of limitations. The limitations didn’t really affect us, so I really haven’t the slightest recollection of what they were. But you might want to give them a try. Also, the JPS (Japan Postal Service) allowed us to make an account right away.
I just walked into Shinsei bank and asked for account. Didnt even have inkan. Just signed bunch of papers and received cash card in 10minutes.
I open up a few more bank accounts online to collect free points. AU and Rakuten both were just filling the application online and then got the cash card in post after two weeks.
Why do people have difficulties to open bank account? or is it just the old big traditional banks that will refuse most foreign people?
I tried in 3 banks and got rejected.
Til I got approved at japan post bank.
I opened a bank account with Shinsei with proof of residence and an offer letter + company information documents given to me by my company.
You need to be in the country for 6 months or have a proof of employment letter
First you need a license. Pretty hard which is why I made a fund and now trying a casino instead
I can recommend shensei bank, I was able to open last year even if i only stayed for around 2 weeks in Japan. As long as you have contact number, residence card and employer details
Oh, creating a bank in Japan is as easy as baking a cake in Antarctica! Just grab some snow, mix it with a bit of flour, and voilà, instant bank! 😄 (But seriously, creating a bank in Japan is a highly regulated and complex process that involves compliance with various legal and financial requirements. You should investigates with your lawyers and financial consultants)
I had good experiences with seven bank, they have the best online banking in English and it was easy to register. Plus it’s 7/11, so going to the “home” atm is easy.
Do you have a job? If so, do you have a business card or company ID badge?
If you have a business card or company ID badge, you can open a bank account with Sony Bank. [See here](https://moneykit.net/en/help/account/doc/04.html).
If you do not have a business card or company ID badge, you can go to HR and request a certificate of employment which Sony Bank will also accept.
The alternative is to go to your company’s HR and ask them for help in opening a bank account. They can make an introduction to whatever bank they use which will resolve the 6 month residency requirement that you’re being hit with.
Use [wise.com](https://wise.com)
MUFG was quick and easy to setup for me. I went to the Shinjuku branch back in 2015 with no issues and applied for the credit card there and linked the ETC function. I also have Prestia, which Citibank divested to SMBC several years back. Prestia Gold’s account makes it easy to move money back and forth to your home country, definitely recommend this route if you want to move money back and forth, ie stock brokerage account(s) or financially supporting parents.
Side note, you probably need a My Number card to setup the bank account. Getting this before your next visit would be recommended and is quick and painless at the ward office.
are your company going to bank in your salary?
does your company hr not give advise/instruction to open bank account ? a letter from company stating your employment should help with opening a bank account.
In some cases, your HR will arrange a bank rep (for their recommended one) to come to the office and you can apply for a bank account on your break.
SMBC Prestia was easy with ID, passport, and letter from HR. Did it the day after quarantine (back in the dark times)
Fukuoka Bank let me make an account right away, though it’s not a big national chain.
Does your company have an OL who can go with you to the bank and berate the manager until they get fed up and make you a bank account?
Go to MUFJ, they will let you create a foreigner account
After 6 months you can convert it to a normal account
I too was looking for posts on how to make shit loads of money within the next 6 months here.
Rakuten bank is also doable online
I moved to Japan and i had someone from my company go with me to the bank to open up my bank account.
Ask someone from your company to help you?
I opened my bank account next day when I arrived at Japan. I opened at Shinsei Bank. The target customer is foreigner so they have English support.
I was able create a bank account in the first week of being here. I have work visa, zairu card, my number, hanko and cellphone number. I think you will also need job offer letter and you also ask the company to provide a recommendation letter. That should do it.