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 living in Japan can apply for Rakuten Mobile.
A valid Residence Card (or Special Permanent Resident Certificate) and a Japanese address are enough. Pricing is usage-based: ¥1,078 – ¥3,278/month. No long-term contract. An employee referral bonus may also be available.

→ Open Employee Referral Link

Quick Answer: Can Foreigners Apply?

Yes. Japanese citizenship is not required. If you have one of the following, you can apply for Rakuten Mobile online or at a store:

• A valid Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyu Card), or
• A Special Permanent Resident Certificate (特別永住者証明書)
• A Japanese address that matches your ID

Key parts of the online application and the My Rakuten Mobile app are available in English. You may also qualify for an employee referral bonus (extra Rakuten Points) if you log in via a referral link before applying. Details are explained below.

What You Need Before Applying

Before opening the application page, prepare the following items.

1. Photo ID

For foreign nationals, one of the following is accepted:

• 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)

The address printed on your ID should match the address you enter in the application. A mismatch can cause delays or rejection.

2. Payment Method

A credit card is the most common option. A bank account (debit / direct withdrawal) may also be available depending on your application flow.

3. Rakuten ID

You need a Rakuten ID to apply. It is free to create. Setting one up beforehand will save time during the application.

4. MNP Reservation Number (only if you keep your current 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 your current carrier does not support One-Stop, or if you apply in store, you will usually need one.

Tip: Match your name spelling.
The name on your Rakuten ID, your Residence Card (or Special Permanent Resident Certificate), and the application form should all match. A small difference (for example, including or omitting a middle name) can cause verification issues.

Identity Verification (Updated March 30, 2026)

Rakuten Mobile updated its identity verification process on March 30, 2026. Photo upload verification is no longer available. Three methods are now used instead. Which one you can use mainly depends on your smartphone.

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

This is usually the fastest option for online applications. You scan the IC chip in your ID using an NFC-enabled smartphone.

Requirements:

• An NFC-compatible smartphone that can read IC chips
• A Residence Card (在留カード) or Special Permanent Resident Certificate (特別永住者証明書) with an IC chip

If you are not sure whether your phone is NFC-compatible, check your phone’s specifications or settings before applying. If it is not compatible, choose Method 2 or Method 3 below.

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

If your phone does not support smartphone-based verification, you can verify your identity by submitting a copy of your residence certificate (住民票) by post. This method takes longer than Method 1 because it involves postal delivery and manual review.

Method 3: Home Delivery ID Check (受け取り時に自宅で確認)

With this method, your identity is verified at the door when your SIM card or device is delivered to your home. Please note:

• This method is not available in some cases, including applicants under 18.
• Accepted documents and conditions may vary depending on the application.

Check the latest 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) with an IC chip, Method 1 is usually the quickest. If your phone is not compatible, Method 2 (mailing a residence certificate) or Method 3 (home delivery ID check) is the alternative.

For step-by-step instructions on the verification flow, see the full application guide (Japanese).

Pricing: One Plan, Usage-Based

Rakuten Mobile offers a single plan: the Rakuten SAIKYO Plan (最強プラン). The monthly price adjusts automatically based on the data you actually use. There is no plan to choose between, and no need to switch plans later.

Rakuten Mobile generally does not require a long-term contract. This can be helpful if your stay in Japan is uncertain or your usage changes month to month. Please confirm the latest terms on the application screen.

Whether you are a student mostly on campus Wi-Fi, an expat streaming during your commute, or here in Japan only short-term, the same plan adjusts to your usage automatically.

Why It Works for Foreign Residents

Employee Referral Bonus

Depending on the current campaign, applicants who use the employee referral link may receive additional Rakuten Points on top of standard new sign-up benefits.

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

Campaign details, point amounts, and conditions may change. Please check the latest campaign screen after logging in with your Rakuten ID.

Important: Open the referral link first.
Log in with your Rakuten ID via the referral link before starting your application. Without this step, the bonus may not apply. Logging in within 7 days after applying may also qualify in some cases, but logging in first is the safest order.

The referral bonus is also typically available for re-contracts and additional lines (2nd to 5th lines). For the breakdown of how points are awarded, see the points schedule (Japanese).

If you are wondering whether this campaign is legitimate, see the fact-check page (Japanese).

Campaign Code: 2162

→ Open Employee Referral Link

How to Apply (Step by Step)

For a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, see the full application guide (Japanese).

1. Prepare your documents and Rakuten ID.
   Residence Card (or Special Permanent Resident Certificate), payment method, and a Rakuten ID. If you plan to keep your current number, also prepare your MNP reservation number (if needed).
2. Open the referral link and log in.
   Click the referral link and log in with your Rakuten ID first. After login, the campaign screen will be displayed — please confirm the current campaign details there.
3. Complete the application and identity verification.
   Select the Rakuten SAIKYO Plan, then 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 and use Rakuten Link.
   Follow the setup guide to activate your line. Install the Rakuten Link app and make a 10-second domestic call via the app to meet the standard referral bonus condition (conditions apply).

After applying, you can check the referral confirmation email guide (Japanese) to verify that your referral login was recorded.

Online vs. In-Store Application

For more on store applications, see the store application guide (Japanese).

Note: Even for store applications, please open the referral link and log in with your Rakuten ID first. This is what links your application to the referral campaign.

eSIM or Physical SIM?

eSIM — Downloaded directly to your phone, so there is no shipping wait. It is often the fastest option if your phone supports eSIM.

Physical SIM — A SIM card is shipped to your address. Choose this if your phone does not support eSIM. Identity verification options may include home delivery ID check, depending on your situation.

Available identity verification methods can depend on your application flow and device, so please check the application screen for details. You can confirm whether your phone supports eSIM on the Rakuten Mobile official website.

For Minors (Under 18)

If the applicant is under 18, the following points apply:

• 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.
• The home delivery ID check is not available for minors.

Please check the latest official guide before applying. For details, see the full application guide (Japanese).

Frequently Asked Questions

For more answers, see the referral FAQ (Japanese).

Ready to Apply?

If you have your documents ready, the order below is the simplest way to make sure your application is linked to the referral campaign.

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

→ Open Referral Link and Apply

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