Complete Guide: What Documents Foreigners Need to Sign Up for Rakuten Mobile

"Can foreigners sign up for Rakuten Mobile?" "Is a passport the only document required?" "Are there any differences between international students, those on a work visa, and those on a working holiday visa?"

In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner, even for first-time users , the documents that foreigners really need to sign up for Rakuten Mobile , and points to note based on visa status and situation .

Complete Guide: What Documents Foreigners Need to Sign Up for Rakuten Mobile

Conclusion | Foreigners can sign up for Rakuten Mobile (conditions apply) ✅

First, the conclusion.

👉 Any foreigner with a residence card can sign up for Rakuten Mobile .

however,

• Visa types

• Length of stay

• Are all the documents in order?

This will determine whether or not you can enter into a contract .

Basic conditions for foreigners to sign up for Rakuten Mobile📌

To sign up for a voice SIM (with phone number) with Rakuten Mobile, you must meet the following conditions.

• Staying in Japan for a medium to long term

• Have a residence card

• I have a Japanese address

• Have a payment method (credit card or bank account)

If you meet these conditions, you can sign a contract in almost the same way as Japanese people .

Required Documents ①｜Residence Card (Most Important)🪪

A residence card is absolutely necessary

👉 A residence card is a required document when signing a contract with Rakuten Mobile .

Points to be confirmed:

• Has not expired

• Name and date of birth

• Residence status (visa type)

If you are on a tourist visa, you will not be issued a residence card, so you will not be able to sign a regular contract with Rakuten Mobile .

Required Document ② | Identification Document (Passport) 📘

In most cases, you will be asked to present your passport along with your residence card.

especially,

• Check the spelling of your name

• Nationality Verification

Used for:

*Although it may be possible to complete the process with just your residence card, we recommend that you always bring and upload your passport .

Required Document ③｜Information that can verify your Japanese address🏠

To sign a contract with Rakuten Mobile, you must register a Japanese address .

• student dormitory

• Apartment

• Share house

Either is fine.

*Please be careful when signing a contract with a hotel or short-term accommodation as they may refuse to accept your contract.

Payment documents and preparation💳🏦

Credit card or bank account required

Rakuten Mobile does not accept cash payments .

All you need is 👇

• A credit card issued in Japan or

• Japanese bank account (direct debit)

Foreigners cannot sign a contract unless they have a payment method ready .

Required documents and points to note when signing up for Rakuten Mobile by visa type

Student visa🎓

• Residence card

• passport

• Japanese address

• Payment Methods

👉It is one of the easiest visas to obtain .

Work visa 💼

• Residence card

• passport

• address

• Payment Methods

👉You can sign a contract under almost the same conditions as Japanese people .

Working Holiday🌏

• Residence card

• passport

• address

👉 Contracts are possible, but since your stay is short, we recommend choosing a plan without any strings attached .

Tourist visa✈️

👉No contracts

In this case, you will need to choose a short-term eSIM or tourist SIM.

Are the required documents different between Rakuten Mobile stores and online? 🏪💻

The basics are the same

At Rakuten Mobile, the required documents are almost the same whether you sign up in-store or online .

however,

• In-store: Staff will check on the spot

• Online: Photo upload required

There is a difference.

If you are unsure about your Japanese, it may be safer to sign a contract with a store .

Common mistakes foreigners make ⚠️

Below are some of the most common mistakes:

• Applying before obtaining a residence card

• I thought I could get a contract on a tourist visa.

• There was no payment method available

• The address was not confirmed

👉It is most important to prepare all the necessary documents before applying .

Summary | Rakuten Mobile is "easy once you have all the necessary documents"✨

What foreigners need to sign up for Rakuten Mobile:

• Residence card

• passport

• Japanese address

• Credit card or bank account

👉If you have these four points, signing up for Rakuten Mobile will not be difficult .

Rakuten Mobile is a very convenient carrier for foreigners, international students, and those on a working holiday visa, both in terms of price and conditions .