Credit Card for International Students in Japan
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Credit cards provide a variety of benefits that cash payments do not. For example, they come with services such as card enrollment rewards, point rewards, and electronic money. In addition to these benefits, student-only credit cards offer more benefits: no annual fee, student-only services, and preferential point reward rates. In other words, international students can take more benefits compared to workers. International students can use credit cards for various purposes, such as paying cell phone bills, utility bills (gas, electricity, etc.), and drinking and dining at parties with friends. In such cases, using a student-only credit card is much more economical than paying in cash.
This article explains to international students how the credit card screening process works and the basic knowledge of credit cards. We also pick up recommendable credit cards. If you are a foreign student studying in Japan, compare credit cards, choose one that suits your lifestyle, and make your life in Japan even more profitable and convenient.
Recommendable Japanese Credit Cards for Foreign International Students
Rakuten Card, a group company of the online shopping mall Rakuten, issues this no-annual-fee credit card. It is relatively easy for foreigners to pass the screening. You can apply online. Through the enrollment promotion, you will receive 2,000 to 8,000 points for the bonus. The point reward rate is high, so it always tripled when shopping at Rakuten Ichiba. You can redeem 1 point = 1 yen to use Rakuten Ichiba or the payment of Rakuten Mobile. You can also redeem the points for ANA miles.
Epos Card is a credit card with no annual fee issued by the Marui Group. Foreign residents and international students are also eligible to apply, and the application can be completed easily online. Another appealing benefit is the welcome offer: new cardholders can receive 2,000 yen worth of EPOS Points when they apply for the card and choose to receive it by mail.
With Epos Card, cardholders earn 1 EPOS Point for every 200 yen spent on regular purchases. When used at Marui stores, the reward rate doubles to 2%. In addition, by shopping online through Tamaru Market (たまるマーケット), cardholders can earn up to 30 times more bonus points. Among the many no-annual-fee credit cards available in Japan, Epos Card stands out for its generous rewards and comprehensive benefits, making it one of the credit cards recommended for international students.
AEON Card is a credit card issued by the AEON Group with no enrollment fee and no annual fee. Anyone aged 18 or older who lives in Japan and can be contacted by phone is eligible to apply, excluding high school students. It is a convenient credit card for everyday shopping, making it a practical option not only for foreign residents working in Japan but also for international students.
The biggest appeal of AEON Card is the savings it offers at AEON Group stores and how easy it is to earn WAON POINTs. Cardholders earn 1 WAON POINT for every 200 yen, including tax, spent on regular purchases. When the card is used at eligible AEON Group stores, the point reward rate is doubled. In addition, on the 20th and 30th of every month, cardholders receive 5% off their purchases at AEON Group stores nationwide. Since the discount can be applied to everyday essentials such as groceries, daily necessities, and clothing, AEON Card is a convenient choice for international students who want to save on living expenses in Japan.
Credit Card Screening for International Students
To use a credit card, you must pass the screening process. Regular credit cards require over 18-year-old and a stable income, but credit cards for international students do not examine income. Moreover, international students are not limited to university students: vocational school students, junior college students, and graduate students are also appliable under the student category. (*High school students are not allowed.) Although the screening criteria depend on each credit card issuer, the general points are the following.
- Identity verification
Take a photo or scan a residence card, health insurance card, driver's license, passport, or other documents that verify your identity, and upload. If you apply for a student-only credit card, you also need a student ID.
- Income screening
Income screening for international students is less stringent than for workers. If you have a part-time job, enter the income into the annual income column. It helps to pass the screening.
- Term of residence
If you plan to return short term from the date of application, it will be a disadvantage for the screening. Short-term international students who stay less than one year hardly pass the screening: the probability of approval is much lower.
- Application history
The company records application history for six months. Once you can not pass the screening, the result will be the same within six months. In that case, you had better choose a different one.
Credit Cards for International Students
Before applying for a credit card, check and understand the prerequisite basic knowledge. The following are key points to consider when choosing one.
Annual fee
It depends on the type and status of the credit card. The higher annual fee tends to be the higher status. Many credit cards for international students offer no annual fee.
Point reward rate
It is the percentage of points received with the amount paid by the credit card. For example, a 1% redeem credit card earns 100 points for every 10,000 yen. The higher point redemption rate can save more money, so do not forget to check it.
Enrollment rewards
Many credit cards offer various benefits to new members. Check out enrollment rewards or promotions of your favorite cards because they are often limited in time.
Supplementary insurance and guarantee
Credit cards may provide travel insurance and shopping fraud coverage. If you frequently return home or travel abroad, choose one with high insurance coverage.
Recommendable Japanese Credit Cards for Foreign International Students
| Enrollment rewards | New members can earn up to ¥5,000 worth of points by using the card three times after signing up. You’ll also earn triple points on purchases made through Rakuten Ichiba at any time. |
|---|---|
| Required status | Over 18 years old (including part-time job worker, student, housewife) *High school students are not accepted. |
| Annual fee | Free |
| Point reward rate |
|
| Overseas travel insurance | Includes overseas travel accident insurance up to 20 million yen |
| Domestic Travel Insurance | None |
| Check points |
|
*As of June 2026 (contents may have changed).
| Enrollment rewards | You will receive 2,000 yen worth of Epos points for new online enrollment and receipt by mail during the promotion period. |
|---|---|
| Required status | Over 18 years old, having a stable and continuous income (including housewives and students) *High school students are not accepted. |
| Annual fee | Free |
| Point reward rate |
|
| Overseas travel insurance | Includes overseas travel accident and death insurance up to 5 million yen |
| Domestic Travel Insurance | None |
| Check points |
|
*As of June 2026 (contents may have changed).
| Enrollment rewards | During the campaign period, if you newly sign up for an eligible card and use the card, as well as register for the AEON Wallet, you will receive up to 5,000 yen worth of WAON points as a gift. |
|---|---|
| Required status | Individuals over 18 years old who are available for phone contact (including students and homemakers) *High school students are unavailable |
| Annual fee | Free |
| Point reward rate | Earn 1 point = 200 yen spent |
| Shopping Insurance | Shopping Safety Insurance |
| Domestic Travel Insurance | None |
| Check points |
|
*As of June 2026 (contents may have changed).
| Required status | Over 18 years old, having a stable and continuous income (including housewives and students) *High school students are not accepted. |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free |
| Point reward rate |
|
| Overseas travel insurance | None |
| Domestic Travel Insurance | None |
| Check points |
|
*As of May 2026 (contents may have changed).
