This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
Foreign nationals with a student visa can open an account at a bank in Japan. Japan Post Bank, the megabanks, online banks and regional banks each have their own features, and it is important to look at those features and choose the bank that suits the way you live.
A guide for readers who want to know whether a student can open a bank account in Japan.
Yes. It makes it easier to manage living costs and to receive pay from part-time work.
Foreign nationals with a student visa can open an account at a bank in Japan. Having a Japanese bank account makes it easier to manage your living costs, easier to receive pay from part-time work, lets you pay utility bills and rent by direct debit, and makes sending and receiving money smoother.
Japan Post Bank, the megabanks, online banks and regional banks each have different features.
Which bank to choose is best decided by looking at the way you live, your level of Japanese, and how often you will use the account.
You bring your Residence Card, passport, student ID and so on, and apply at a bank counter.
What you need includes your Residence Card (with a photograph and your current address on it), your passport, your student ID, a personal seal (many banks also allow registration by signature), a telephone number that can be reached in Japan, your current address, and the purpose of opening the account. As for the flow, you choose the bank where you want the account, bring the required documents and apply at the counter, fill in the application form, have your identity checked, and after screening you normally receive your cash card and passbook by post within a few days to a few weeks.
The procedure is conducted in Japanese, so a certain level of Japanese is needed. Some banks carry out screening, and you may be asked for documents other than those listed above. Please note that once your period of stay has expired, you may be unable to withdraw money from the account even during the 特例期間 (grace period) while a renewal application is pending. Some banks also require you to close the account when your studies end and you return home. Even on a student visa, you may be unable to open an account if your period of stay is 3 months or less.
Yes. It is convenient for life in Japan, for example for managing living costs and receiving pay from part-time work.
Your Residence Card, passport, student ID, a personal seal or signature, a telephone number and an address are generally required.
It is said that you may be unable to withdraw money from the account, even during the 特例期間 while a renewal application is pending.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.