What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Open a Bank Account in Japan?
Foreign residents usually need a valid residence card with a current address and contact details in Japan. Depending on the bank, residence status and time since arrival, a passport, residence certificate, student ID or proof of employment may also be required.
Foreigners opening a bank account in Japan usually need to prepare a valid residence card with the correct address, contact information in Japan, and documents proving that they are studying or working if the bank requires it. Passports, 住民票 (residence registration), My Number, personal seals, and employment verification are not always mandatory, but bringing the correct documents can help avoid having to return.
There is no single checklist that applies to all banks. The required documents can also vary depending on whether you register in person at a branch or through an app, your residence status, the remaining validity of your card, how long you have been in Japan, and the purpose of using the account. Having all the documents does not necessarily guarantee that the account will be opened, as the bank needs to verify your identity, the purpose of transactions, and evaluate the documents according to internal regulations.
Quick answer: documents you should prepare
Level | Documents or information | When needed |
|---|---|---|
Almost always required | Residence Card - original residence card | Foreigners who have been issued a residence card |
Almost always required | Current address matching on card and application | When verifying residence in Japan |
Usually required | Phone number for receiving SMS and email | App registration, receiving communications, and verification |
Recommended to bring | Valid passport | When needing to check entry date or additional information |
Case by case | Student ID card | Status of 'Student' or bank requires proof of being enrolled |
Case by case | Employee ID, Certificate of Employment, or Employment Verification | Verify workplace, especially for new arrivals |
Case by case | Copy of Resident Record | Address needs further proof or using common name |
Depending on the bank | Seal (not Shachihata) | Opening at branch or the bank may still require registered seal |
Depending on the product | My Number card or My Number information | When the bank suggests registering My Number for the account |
The safest way is to choose the bank first, open the correct “口座開設” page for foreigners, and then match each document. The general list in the article helps you prepare, but the bank's page on the day of submission is the direct requirement.
Why do banks ask for so much information?
When opening an account, banks do not only look at your photo and name. They have to carry out 本人確認 - identity verification and お取引目的の確認 - confirmation of the purpose of the transaction. According to the Financial Services Agency of Japan, financial institutions also need to cooperate with foreigners regarding opening, using, updating, and closing accounts to prevent misuse.
The bank may ask:
Full name, date of birth, nationality, and current address.
Residency status and expiration date of the stay.
Occupation, school, or company currently working at.
Purpose of opening the account, such as receiving salary, receiving a scholarship, or paying living expenses.
Expected source of funds and types of transactions usually used.
Whether you are subject to tax obligations in another country.
Whether you are opening another account of the same type at that bank.
This is a normal verification step. Do not write overly general purposes if you can answer specifically. “Receiving salary from company A and paying for rent, electricity, phone” is clearer than “for personal use.”
Group 1: identity and residency verification documents
Residence card is the key document
If you have a 在留カード (residence card), consider this as the main document and bring the original copy. Banks usually check:
Full name in Latin letters and name order.
Date of birth, nationality, and gender as stated on the card.
Residence status.
Expiration date of the residence period.
Current residential address.
Work restrictions or information on the back side.
Photo, card status, and chip readability if registering via the app.
Photographs or photocopies usually cannot replace the original document when applying at the counter. With the app, you may need to photograph both front and back sides, read the NFC chip, or record your face according to instructions.
Is a passport mandatory?
Not all banks require a passport if the residence card is sufficient for identification. However, it is advisable to bring a passport for in-person applications, as the bank may need to check the entry date, permit, stamps, or information not fully shown on the card.
The new Japanese passport issued from February 4, 2020, does not have a page recording the holder's address. Therefore, at some banks, this type of passport cannot on its own serve as proof of address. For foreign passport holders, the acceptable combination of documents still depends on the bank's regulations.
Is My Number required to open an account?
My Number and the My Number card are not the same concept. Some banks suggest that customers register their My Number for accounts under the system linking individual numbers with deposit accounts. However, it should not be concluded that everyone must have a My Number card in order to open a regular account.
You should prepare the following if you already have them:
A valid My Number card, only present it when requested by the bank.
My Number information according to the instructions of the bank.
Do not send the back side of the card with the My Number to unauthorized persons.
Do not use the Notification Card as if it were an ID with a photo.
Group 2: Documents proving your address in Japan
The address in the application must match the address that the bank can verify. If you have moved but the back of your residence card has not been updated, you should complete the address update procedure before submitting the application.
Documents that may be requested additionally include:
Original copy of the Certificate of Residence (住民票の写し), still valid within the period accepted by the bank.
My Number card with the current address.
Japanese driver's license with the current address.
Official documents issued by Japanese authorities, if accepted by the bank.
Utility bills for electricity, gas, water, or phone according to the bank's standards; not all banks accept them everywhere.
Letter sent by the bank to your registered address, when the verification process is conducted by mail.
The 住民票 is useful but not automatically required. For example, Mizuho requires the original 住民票 if you want to register a 通称名 - a commonly used name. In other cases, a residence card may be sufficient if the name and address match exactly.
Group 3: Proof of studying or working
Those with 留学 (student) or 技能実習 (technical intern) status should generally prepare additional documents from their school or workplace. Yucho Bank guides foreign customers to present their student ID or employee ID to verify their study or work status in relevant cases.
Status | Documents to Prepare | Information that Must Match |
|---|---|---|
International student | 学生証, 在学証明書, scholarship certificate if any | Full name, school, study period |
Full-time employee | 社員証, 在職証明書 or 雇用証明書 | Company name, full name, employment status |
Internship Skills | Employee ID or documents from the host organization | Unit, residency status, duration |
New Employee | Labor contract or employment confirmation letter | Start date, company, position |
Dependent | Explanation letter of purpose and source of funds if asked | Relationship, source of living expenses |
Documents should still be valid, easy to read, and use the same name as on the residence card. An old confirmation letter or a company name different from the information declared in the application may lead the bank to ask additional questions.
Group 4: Phone number, email, and seal
Phone number in Japan
Many online procedures require a phone number to receive SMS, emails, and app support calls. Some banks may accept other numbers depending on the product, but it is safer to prepare a Japanese phone number managed by yourself.
Check in advance:
Whether the SIM can receive SMS.
Is the phone number under your control?
Does the phone have NFC if you need to read a card?
Is the operating system and app still supported?
Can you log in to your email immediately and is the inbox not full?
Do not use someone else's number just to get through the registration step. Later, the bank may send OTPs, fraud alerts, or request verification; losing access to the phone number will put your account at risk.
Is a seal needed?
Many accounts opened through apps do not require 印鑑 (seal), but some procedures at the counter still require the registered seal お届出印. If the bank's website says a seal is needed, bring the appropriate type and avoid pre-inked Shachihata stamps if the bank does not accept them.
It is recommended to bring a pen and remember your usual signature. Do not arbitrarily switch between signatures, seals, and ways of writing your name within the same application.
Can I open an account if I have been in Japan for less than 6 months?
The 6-month figure is usually related to the classification of “resident/non-resident” according to foreign exchange regulations and the way banks provide services, rather than a simple rule that “if you haven't reached 6 months, all banks prohibit opening an account.”
In reality, the following situations may occur:
The bank accepts the account but manages it as a non-resident account.
The bank requires proof of employment at a Japanese company.
Some products or transfer transactions may be restricted.
The application may be rejected, but the counter can check additional documents.
The bank may ask you to wait or choose a different product according to internal policy.
After meeting the residency requirements, you must inform the bank to update the classification.
Therefore, newcomers should bring their passport to prove the entry date, along with a student ID, employee ID, contract, or employment confirmation. Ask clearly how the account will be classified and whether there are any transfer limits.
Does having a short remaining period of stay matter?
Yes. Some banks do not accept applications if the remaining period of stay is too short. Yucho Bank clearly states that if the residence card is set to expire within 3 months from the registration date, the customer should complete the renewal first before submitting the application. Mizuho also announces conditions related to a remaining period of 3 months.
Before going, check:
The expiration date on the residence card.
Whether the renewal application has been submitted.
Whether the bank accepts a card that is under renewal processing.
Whether a new card is needed after renewal.
Whether the name and address on the new card will change.
You should not hide the fact that it is about to expire. The bank may require updating the residence card throughout the account usage period and may restrict transactions if no new information is received.
Open at the branch or via the app?
Registration Method | Advantages | Points to Note |
|---|---|---|
App | No need to travel, can receive account number quickly | Requires a compatible phone, clear photo/chip, and correct type of document |
Website | Start from home, easy to read conditions | May need to send documents or receive a verification letter |
Bank branch | Can explain special cases | Must go to the correct branch, service hours, and may need an appointment |
Company/school support | Easy to prove purpose of receiving salary or scholarship | Bank still conducts its own verification and decision |
If the application reports that you are not eligible, do not arbitrarily change information to try again multiple times. Record the error message, check the conditions, and ask the bank if it is possible to register at the counter.
Checklist before submitting the application
Documents
Original residence card, valid, undamaged, and with updated address.
Valid passport.
Student ID or certificate of enrollment if you are an international student.
Employee ID, employment verification, or contract if you are working.
Original 住民票 (Certificate of Residence) if the bank or your case requires it.
My Number card if the bank requests it and you already have one.
Appropriate personal seal if opening at the counter and the bank requires it.
Information
Phone number for receiving SMS and an active email.
Address written exactly as on your documents, including room number and building name.
Pronunciation of your full name in katakana if the form requests it.
Name of the school or company, address, and contact phone number.
Purpose of opening the account and expected source of funds.
Tax residence country information if asked.
Date of entry and expiration date of stay.
Before leaving the counter or completing the application
Check the spelling of your name on the account.
Confirm the address for receiving debit cards and bank mail.
Ask when the account will be fully operational.
Ask about transfer limits, especially if classified as non-resident.
Confirm how to register for Internet banking and OTP.
Keep the appointment slip or application code but keep login information secure.
Common mistakes that cause application delays
Address mismatch
Applications that list a different building name or room number than on the residence card may result in verification failure. Update the address locally first, and then use the exact registered format.
Different names across documents
Long names, names with spaces, or different name orders often cause data entry errors. Do not shorten your name on your own. If the form does not have enough characters, ask the bank how to fill it out and keep a record of the format they accept.
Only bringing a passport
For people who have been issued a residence card, carrying only a passport is usually not sufficient for the bank to verify eligibility and length of stay. Prioritize the original residence card.
Expiring card
If the length of stay is below the bank's required threshold, the application may not be accepted even if other documents are complete. Renewing in advance is usually clearer.
Vague or inconsistent purpose declaration
Saying you are receiving a salary but do not remember the company name, or declaring you are studying while your student card has expired, may lead to additional verification. Provide truthful, specific, and consistent answers.
Using an account for someone else
Do not open, sell, lend, or transfer the account to others. When changing your address, renewing your residence card, changing your phone number, or returning to your home country, update or close the account as required by the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have all the documents, can I definitely open an account?
No. Having all the documents only helps your application to be accepted and verified. The bank can still request additional documents or refuse based on the verification results without necessarily disclosing the detailed reasons.
Can I open an account if I do not know Japanese?
It is possible, but language support varies depending on the bank, branch, app, and timing. Do not assume that Vietnamese support is always available. You can ask your school or company to explain the procedure, but the bank may require the account holder to verify information personally.
Is an initial deposit required?
It depends on the bank and the product. Some banks allow opening an account with an initial balance of 0 yen. You should not carry a lot of cash just because you think it is a requirement for approval; refer to the official guidelines.
Can you use a friend's address?
You must declare your actual place of residence and information that can be legally verified. Using an incorrect address may result in mail being returned, your application being rejected, or your account being restricted later.
Can you open multiple accounts?
There may be a reasonable need, but the bank may ask why if you already have an account of the same type. Explain the practical purpose, such as separating salary reception and spending accounts, instead of submitting multiple applications without a clear reason.
What should you do after renewing your residence card?
Please update your information with the bank through the channel they instruct. Do not wait until transfers or withdrawals are restricted to take action. At the same time, update your address, phone number, and residence status if there are any changes.
Conclusion
The safest document set includes the original valid residence card with the correct address, passport, contact information in Japan, along with proof of study or employment. Add a 住民票 (resident record), My Number card, and seal when the bank or specific situation requires it.
More important than the quantity of documents is consistency: full name, address, residence status, school or company, and the purpose of opening the account must match. Choose the bank first, check the correct requirement page on the day of submission, and prepare a plan to go to the branch if the application cannot process your case.