Rakuten Mobile for Foreigners in Japan - 楽天モバイル従業員紹介キャンペーン｜現役社員ちづるが案内

Yes, foreigners can apply for Rakuten Mobile in Japan.
Usage-based pricing from ¥1,078/mo to ¥3,278/mo. Partial English support. No long-term contract. Employee referral benefits may be available.

Can Foreigners Apply for Rakuten Mobile?

Yes. If you have a valid Residence Card (Zairyu Card / 在留カード) or Special Permanent Resident Certificate (特別永住者証明書) and a Japanese address, you can apply. Japanese citizenship is not required.

You can apply online or at a Rakuten Mobile store. Some key parts of the online process are available in English.

You may also qualify for an employee referral bonus that gives you extra Rakuten Points. Details below.

What You Need Before Applying

Photo ID (Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate)

For foreign nationals, one of the following is required as your identity document:

Residence Card (在留カード) — the standard ID for most foreign residents in Japan.
Special Permanent Resident Certificate (特別永住者証明書) — for those with special permanent resident status.

Make sure the address on your ID matches what you enter in the application — a mismatch can cause delays or rejection.

Payment Method

Credit card is the most common option. Bank account payment may also be available.

Rakuten ID

You need a Rakuten ID to apply. Create one for free beforehand to save time.

MNP Reservation Number (If You Want to Keep Your Number)

If you want to keep your current phone number, you may need an MNP reservation number. For online applications, some carriers support MNP One-Stop, which lets you switch without a reservation number. If you apply in store, or your current carrier does not support One-Stop, you will usually need one.

Tip: Check Your Name Spelling
The name on your Rakuten ID, Residence Card (or Special Permanent Resident Certificate), and application should match. A spelling difference (e.g., middle name on one but not the other) can cause verification issues.

Identity Verification Methods Available After March 30, 2026

Rakuten Mobile updated its identity verification process starting March 30, 2026. Photo upload verification (previously called “eKYC”) is no longer available. The following methods are now used instead.

Method 1: Smartphone-Based ID Verification (スマホでかんたん本人確認)

This is usually the fastest method for online applications. You use an IC-chip compatible smartphone and a supported ID document to complete identity verification.

What you need:

・An IC-chip compatible smartphone (NFC-enabled)
・A supported photo ID with an IC chip

Supported IDs for foreign nationals:

・Residence Card (在留カード)
・Special Permanent Resident Certificate (特別永住者証明書)

If your smartphone does not have NFC or cannot read the IC chip, you will need to use a different verification method (see below).

Method 2: Verification by Mailing a Residence Certificate (住民票の郵送)

If your phone is not compatible with smartphone-based verification, you can verify your identity by mailing a copy of your residence certificate (住民票). This method takes longer than smartphone verification because it involves postal delivery and manual processing.

Method 3: Home Delivery ID Check (配達時の本人確認)

With home delivery ID check, your identity is verified when the SIM card or device is delivered. Please note that this method is not available in some cases, including applicants under 18. Available documents and conditions may vary, so check the latest official application screen before choosing this option.

Which method should I choose?
If you have an NFC-enabled smartphone and a Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate, smartphone-based verification is the quickest option. If your phone is not compatible, the mailing or home delivery methods are available as alternatives.

For detailed instructions on the verification process: Full application guide (Japanese)

How Much Does It Cost?

Rakuten Mobile uses one plan: Rakuten SAIKYO Plan (最強プラン). The price adjusts automatically based on data usage. No plan selection needed.

Rakuten Mobile does not generally require a long-term contract. Confirm the latest terms when you apply.

Whether you’re a student on campus WiFi, an expat streaming on the commute, or here short-term, the same plan adjusts to your usage automatically.

Why Many Foreigners Choose Rakuten Mobile

Employee Referral Bonus for Foreigners

Depending on the current campaign, applicants who use the employee referral link may receive additional Rakuten Points. Please check the latest campaign screen after logging in with your Rakuten ID.

As of the time of writing, the following point amounts are shown:

Important: Open the Referral Link First
Log in with your Rakuten ID via the referral link before starting the application. Without this step, you may not receive the bonus. Logging in within 7 days after application may also qualify, but it is safest to log in first.

Also typically available for re-contracts and additional lines (2nd–5th). See the points schedule for distribution details.

Is this campaign legitimate? See the fact-check page.

Campaign Code: 2162

→ Open Employee Referral Link

How to Apply Step by Step

Detailed walkthrough: Full application guide (Japanese)

1. Prepare Documents + Rakuten ID
   Residence Card (or Special Permanent Resident Certificate), payment method, Rakuten ID. For MNP, also get your reservation number if needed.
2. Open Referral Link + Log In
   Click the referral link and log in with your Rakuten ID first. Check the campaign screen after login.
3. Complete Application + Identity Verification
   Select Rakuten SAIKYO Plan. Choose eSIM or physical SIM. Complete identity verification using one of the available methods: smartphone-based verification (fastest), mailing a residence certificate, or home delivery ID check.
4. Activate
   Follow the setup guide. Install Rakuten Link and make a 10-second domestic call via the app to meet the referral bonus conditions (conditions apply).

After applying, check your referral confirmation email (Japanese) to verify your login was recorded.

Online vs. Store Application

More on store applications: Store application guide (Japanese)

Note: Even for store applications, open the referral link and log in first to qualify for the bonus.

eSIM or Physical SIM?

eSIM — Downloaded to your phone, so there is no shipping wait. It is often the fastest option if your phone supports it. The available identity verification method may depend on your application flow and device, so check the latest application screen.

Physical SIM — Shipped to your address. Choose this if your phone doesn’t support eSIM. Identity verification options may include home delivery ID check, but available methods depend on your situation. Check the application screen for details.

Check compatibility on the Rakuten Mobile official website.

A Note for Minors (Under 18)

If the applicant is under 18, a legal guardian’s consent form is required. Additional guardian documents may also be needed depending on the application method. The i-Filter web filtering service (¥330/month, tax included) is mandatory for contracts held by minors. Please note that home delivery ID check is not available for minors. Check the latest official guide before applying. For details, see the Full application guide (Japanese).

Frequently Asked Questions

More answers: Referral FAQ (Japanese)

Ready to Apply?

1. Prepare Residence Card (or Special Permanent Resident Certificate), payment method, Rakuten ID
2. Open the employee referral link
3. Log in with your Rakuten ID
4. Check the campaign screen after login
5. Complete your application and identity verification

→ Open Referral Link and Apply

*Campaign details, point amounts, and conditions may change. Confirm the latest terms after logging in.
*Points are usually limited-time Rakuten Points (conditions apply).
*Identity verification methods updated as of March 30, 2026. Photo upload verification is no longer available.
*Based on publicly available information as of the date of publication.