Can foreigners get mobile phone contracts in Japan? The first thing you need to know📱

"Can foreigners get a mobile phone contract in Japan?" This is the biggest concern that foreigners who come to Japan always have first .

To cut to the chase, foreigners can sign up for a mobile phone contract in Japan . However, the plans and SIM cards available vary depending on your visa type, length of stay, and whether or not you have the necessary documents . This article provides a thorough explanation based on visa status.

Can foreigners get mobile phone contracts in Japan? The first thing you need to know📱

Can foreigners get a mobile phone contract in Japan? 🇯🇵

Conclusion: You can sign the contract (conditions apply)

Japanese mobile phone companies officially accept contracts from foreigners . Foreign contracts are common even with major carriers and low-cost SIMs, including Rakuten Mobile.

But the important thing is 👇

• What visa are you on in Japan?

• How long do you plan to stay?

• Do you have a residence card?

These three points will determine whether or not you can sign a contract .

If you choose a SIM based on your visa, you won't go wrong!

When choosing a SIM card in Japan, foreigners should check the visa before the price .

• Tourist visa → Short-term SIM/eSIM

• International students → Voice SIM/cheap plan

• Work visa → Stable and unlimited

• Working holiday → No restrictions

Just by thinking this way, you can significantly reduce the chances of failing to sign a Japanese mobile phone contract .

Can I get a mobile phone contract in Japan on a tourist visa?

The reality of tourist visas

If you are staying for a short period of time (tourist visa), it is almost impossible to get a regular mobile phone contract (voice call SIM) .

The reason is simple:

• Residence card not issued

• It is not intended for long-term stay in Japan.

That's why.

Options available to tourists

• Prepaid SIM for tourists

• Short-term eSIM

• Data SIM cards sold at airports and online

👉These SIM cards are mainly aimed at tourists who don't need a phone number and just want to use the internet .

Points about SIM cards for tourist visas📶

• No contract required, ready to use

• No need for a Japanese address or residence card

• Data communication only is the norm

Conclusion for tourist visas

👉You cannot sign a regular Rakuten Mobile contract on a tourist visa.

The reason is clear:

• Residence card not issued

• Long-term stay in Japan is not a prerequisite

That's why.

Can international students, those with work visas, and those on working holiday visas sign a contract?

For international students

International students are a prime example of a visa that makes it easy to obtain a mobile phone contract in Japan .

• Residence card available

• Japanese address available

• Plan to stay for several months to several years

To meet these requirements, you can also sign up for a voice call SIM and unlimited data plan .

For international students, "voice SIM + low rates" is important

International students are free to choose their SIM card in Japan .

• Residence card available

• Staying for more than six months

• Need a phone number for school or part-time work?

For this reason, a SIM card with voice calling capability is essential.

Features of SIM cards popular among international students✨

• Low monthly fee

• No cancellation fees or restrictions

• Unlimited or large capacity data

Rakuten Mobile is a good fit for international students!

International students are a prime example of foreigners who are likely to sign up for Rakuten Mobile .

The reason is 👇

• Have a residence card

• I have a Japanese address

• Many stay for more than six months

This is because there are many cases where this condition is met.

Can I get a work visa?

For work visas

Foreigners with work visas can sign contracts under almost the same conditions as Japanese people .

• Rakuten Mobile

• Major carriers

• Low-cost SIM

You can choose from most options✨Since it is assumed that you will be staying for a long period of time, many people choose the cheaper plans.

The right answer for a work visa is "stable and unlimited"

Foreigners with work visas can sign contracts under almost the same conditions as Japanese people .

For work use 👇

• Phone number is required

• A lot of data communication

• I want to keep monthly costs down

The need for this is becoming stronger.

How to choose a SIM for a work visa📊

• Voice call SIM

• Unlimited or large capacity data

• The payments are stable

Since they are planning to stay for a long time, many of them are looking for ways to reduce their mobile phone charges in Japan .

Work visa = smoothest contract possible

Foreigners with work visas can sign up for Rakuten Mobile under almost the same conditions as Japanese people .

• Rakuten's Strongest Plan

• Unlimited data

• Rakuten Link calling function

Everything works without any issues 📞

Can I sign a working holiday contract?

For working holidays🌏

Working holiday makers need to be a little careful.

• The period of stay is less than one year

• Some companies have strict contract screening

However, in many cases you can sign a contract if you have a residence card .

In particular, plans with no strings attached and SIM cards that are easy to cancel are popular.

The most important thing about working holiday is "no restrictions"

The unique feature of a working holiday is that the length of stay is fixed .

• Possibility of returning home midway

• Frequent job changes and moves

Therefore, plans with a two-year contract are not suitable .

Working Holiday SIM Requirements🔑

• No cancellation fee

• Simple contract

• Contracts can be made with a residence card

The key to working holiday is the residence card🔑

If you are on a working holiday, there is a good chance that you will be able to sign a contract if you have a residence card .

However, there are some points to note 👇

• The period of stay is less than one year

• Contract screening may be somewhat cautious

Therefore, Rakuten Mobile, which is easy to cancel and has no strings attached, is a good fit for working holiday makers.

Can I sign a contract without a residence card?

Conclusion: Voice SIM is almost impossible

If you want to get a mobile phone contract with a phone number in Japan, a residence card is almost essential .

If you do not have a residence card,

• Data SIM

• Short-term eSIM

It is limited to temporary means of communication.

How long do I need to stay in Japan to get a mobile phone contract?

Estimated length of stay

What mobile phone companies look at is whether you plan to stay in Japan for the medium to long term .

As a general guideline:

• Stays of several weeks: Data SIM only

• Stays of several months or more: Voice SIM cards are also available

• Staying for more than six months: Almost no problems

In many cases, international students and those on work visas can sign a contract immediately after arrival .

Rakuten Mobile has not publicly announced any specific restrictions on the length of stay .

However, in practice,

• Plan to stay for several months or more

• Residence card available

If these two points are met, you can often sign a contract immediately after arrival .

There is no need to worry that you might not be able to sign a contract because you are a foreigner.

Rakuten Mobile is a carrier with a large number of foreign users .

• Simple pricing

• No restrictions

• Unlimited data

• Save on call charges with Rakuten Link

For these reasons, it is especially popular among foreigners and international students living in Japan .

With our current employee referral campaign, you can earn 14,000 points if you switch carriers (MNP) and 11,000 points if you don't switch carriers . Renewal contracts are also eligible. Take advantage of this offer when switching your smartphone or signing up for a new one.