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.
PayPay Card is a credit card with no annual fee issued by Yahoo Group. You can easily apply via smartphone by obtaining a Yahoo! JAPAN ID. Foreigners and international students are also appliable. It provides a short application process: it takes only 7 minutes from the beginning to receiving the screening result by e-mail. In addition, you can receive a PayPay bonus worth up to 12,000 yen by using enrollment rewards.
Compared to other credit cards for international students, PayPay Card is more profitable and easy to earn points. In addition to receiving 1 point per 100 yen for regular card use, the point reward rate increases to 3 times (3%) when using Yahoo! Shopping and LOHACO. Moreover, if you select PayPay Card as the payment method for PayPay, you will receive a 1% point. You will get up to 3% using PayPay by 1% for PayPay card use plus the maximum 0.5% extra points of the PayPay step. You can receive an average of about 4,550 points per year.
Among the no-annual-fee credit cards, PayPay card offers a high-point reward rate and fulfilling guarantee. Thus, it is one of the best credit cards we recommend to international students.
This credit card is appliable to 18-25 years old only, excluding high school students. (*Minors must have parental consent.) If you newly apply online, the annual fee is free for the first year. As used at least once a year, the annual fee will not charge for next year. This credit card always gives double points. Besides, you can receive five times points for the first three months after enrollment. Compared to the regular Mitsui Sumitomo VISA card, it is easier to earn points. They automatically upgrade to Prime Gold Card by renewing after becoming 26 years old.
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 | You will receive 5,000 yen worth of points for new enrollment and usage during promotion. In addition, you can earn triple points on Rakuten Ichiba products anytime. |
|---|---|
| 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 September 2023 (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 September 2023 (contents may have changed).
Mitsui Sumitomo Card Debut Plus
| Enrollment rewards | You will receive up to 5,000 yen worth of V-Points gift code for new online enrollment and touch payment used during the promotion. (*Until June 30, 2023) |
|---|---|
| Required status | 18-25 years old (including students) *High school students are unavailable |
| Annual fee | No annual fee for the first year *If you register for My Pay Revolving and pay at least one revolving fee in the previous year, the annual fee for the following year is also free. |
| Point reward rate |
|
| Overseas travel insurance | None |
| Domestic Travel Insurance | None |
| Check points |
|
*As of September 2023 (contents may have changed).
| Enrollment rewards | You receive up to 5,000 yen worth of PayPay points by new member enrollment and three times usage during the promotion. (*The end date is undecided) |
|---|---|
| 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 September 2023 (contents may have changed).
