STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT AND GETTING AN ATM CARD IN JAPAN FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

After arriving in Japan, opening a bank account is one of the practical procedures that international students should complete. A Japanese bank account can be used to manage living expenses, receive money from family and receive part-time wages.

If you have never completed a banking procedure in Japan before, the process may seem unfamiliar. You may need to provide your Residence Card, confirm your residence status, enter information about your school and explain the purpose of opening the account.

This article focuses specifically on the practical procedure for opening a bank account and receiving an ATM card, using Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) as an example. Other banks may have different requirements, forms and application procedures.

1. WHAT SHOULD YOU PREPARE BEFORE OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT?

Before starting the application, prepare the documents and information you are likely to need.

International students should generally prepare:

• Residence Card (在留カード)

• Passport

• Student ID card (学生証)

• Certificate of Enrolment (在学証明書), if required

• Japanese telephone number

• Current address in Japan

• Smartphone with an internet connection

• An active email address

For foreign customers applying through the Japan Post Bank app, a Residence Card is required as an identification document. Students with “Student” residence status may also need a student ID card or a certificate confirming their enrolment. The Residence Card must also meet the bank's validity requirements.

The exact documents vary between banks, so check the requirements of your chosen bank before starting the application.

2. STEP 1: CHECK YOUR RESIDENCE CARD

This is an important step for foreign residents in Japan.

Before applying, check the following information on your Residence Card:

• Full name

• Current address

• Residence status

• Period of stay

• Expiry date

Make sure that the information is correct and up to date.

For the Japan Post Bank app, the Residence Card is used for identity verification. Some types of Residence Cards may not currently be supported by the app. In such cases, applicants may need to complete the procedure at a Japan Post Bank branch or a post office savings counter.

Japan Post Bank also states that, for its app-based account-opening procedure, the Residence Card must show the applicant's current address and have more than three months remaining until its expiry date at the time of application.

3. STEP 2: CHOOSE HOW TO OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT

Depending on the bank, there may be several ways to apply.

Option 1: Apply through a banking app

Some banks allow eligible customers to open an account using a smartphone.

For example, Japan Post Bank provides the ゆうちょ手続きアプリ for foreign customers. The account-opening procedure for foreign nationals is available in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.

Option 2: Apply at a branch or post office

If your Residence Card is not supported by the app or the bank requires face-to-face verification, you may need to visit a branch.

Japan Post Bank provides procedures for foreign customers at Japan Post Bank branches and post office savings counters. The bank also recommends preparing the application form online in advance in some cases. Customers with appointments may be given priority at the counter.

4. STEP 3: VERIFY YOUR IDENTITY WITH YOUR RESIDENCE CARD

If you apply through an app, identity verification is one of the key stages.

For the Japan Post Bank application process, you may need to:

① Scan or photograph the front of your Residence Card

Follow the instructions displayed on your smartphone and make sure all information is clearly visible.

② Photograph the back of your Residence Card

Make sure the entire card is visible and the information is not blurred or obscured.

③ Take a facial photograph

The app may ask you to take a facial photograph for identity verification.

Japan Post Bank's official application guide includes the Residence Card verification process and the required identity-verification images.

Make sure you have sufficient lighting and follow the instructions on the screen carefully.

5. STEP 4: ENTER YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

After completing identity verification, you will move on to the information-entry stage.

You may be asked to provide:

• Full name

• Nationality

• Date of birth

• Address in Japan

• Telephone number

• Residence status

• Period of stay

• School information

Check your details carefully before proceeding.

In particular, make sure your name and address are entered consistently with your official documents.

For foreign customers, Japan Post Bank may check information relating to residence status, period of stay and enrolment or employment status.

6. STEP 5: PROVIDE YOUR STUDENT INFORMATION

This is an important part of the process for international students.

Depending on the bank, you may be asked whether you are:

• Studying

• Working

• Studying and working

• In another situation

If you hold “Student” residence status, provide accurate information about your current enrolment.

Japan Post Bank states that foreign customers with “Student” or “Technical Intern Training” residence status may be required to provide documents confirming their enrolment or employment status.

If you do not have a student ID card, check whether your bank accepts a Certificate of Enrolment or another document confirming your current status.

7. STEP 6: STATE THE PURPOSE OF USING THE ACCOUNT

The bank may ask why you want to open the account.

For an international student, the purpose may include:

• Managing living expenses

• Receiving money from family

• Receiving part-time wages

• Paying for daily expenses

• Managing personal finances in Japan

Select or enter the purpose that accurately reflects how you intend to use the account.

Do not ask another person to apply on your behalf or provide an inaccurate purpose for the account.

Japan Post Bank's account-opening procedure includes a section for declaring the purpose of transactions.

8. COMMON JAPANESE TERMS USED WHEN PAYING BY CARD

Although this article focuses on opening a bank account, international students will often encounter Japanese card-payment terms after receiving their card.

Some useful phrases when paying by card include:

「カードでお願いします。」
→ I would like to pay by card.

「カードは使えますか？」
→ Can I pay by card?

「タッチ決済できますか？」
→ Can I pay contactlessly?

「暗証番号を入力してください。」
→ Please enter your PIN.

9. STEP 7: SET YOUR CARD PIN

During the application process, you may be asked to set a PIN (暗証番号) for your cash card.

This is important security information, so:

• Avoid using an easily guessed PIN.

• Do not write your PIN on the card.

• Never tell your PIN to another person.

• Do not store your PIN in an easily accessible place.

Japan Post Bank's app-based account-opening procedure includes setting a cash-card PIN as part of the application process.

10. STEP 8: CHECK ALL INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING

Before submitting your application, check each item carefully:

☐ Full name

☐ Date of birth

☐ Nationality

☐ Address in Japan

☐ Telephone number

☐ Residence status

☐ Period of stay

☐ School name

☐ Purpose of using the account

☐ Email address

☐ PIN

Do not skip this step. Incorrect information may result in additional verification or a request to correct your application.

11. STEP 9: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AND WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION

After checking all the information, submit your application.

For Japan Post Bank, applications submitted through the app are reviewed by the bank's relevant processing centre. The bank states that the result is normally sent to the registered email address within approximately one week, although it may take longer during periods of high application volume.

After submitting your application, check regularly:

• Your registered email address

• Your Spam/Junk folder

• Notifications from the banking app

12. STEP 10: RECEIVE YOUR ATM/CASH CARD

Once your account has been approved, the bank will issue your card according to the relevant product and procedure.

For Japan Post Bank, account opening through the app is currently available for the passbook-free comprehensive account, ゆうちょダイレクト＋ (Plus). After the account has been opened, the cash card is sent according to the bank's procedure.

When you receive the card, check:

• Your name on the card

• The condition of the card

• Any accompanying documents

• Instructions for using the card

• Your PIN information

If you notice anything unusual, contact the bank rather than attempting to resolve the issue yourself.

13. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU CANNOT OPEN THE ACCOUNT THROUGH THE APP?

This is a situation that foreign students may encounter.

Possible reasons include:

• Your type of Residence Card is not supported by the app

• Your remaining period of stay does not meet the requirements

• You do not have the required document confirming your enrolment

• The information you entered does not match your official documents

• The bank requires face-to-face identity verification

If this happens, do not repeatedly submit applications using different information.

Instead, check the bank's instructions and switch to an in-person application if required.

Japan Post Bank currently states that certain types of Residence Cards cannot be used through its app. Customers holding such cards are directed to complete the procedure at a Japan Post Bank branch or post office savings counter.

14. WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY AT THE BANK?

If you are not confident speaking Japanese, prepare a few simple phrases in advance.

「口座を開設したいです。」
→ I would like to open a bank account.

「留学生です。」
→ I am an international student.

「口座開設に必要な書類を教えてください。」
→ Could you tell me which documents I need to open an account?

「在学証明書が必要ですか？」
→ Do I need a Certificate of Enrolment?

「キャッシュカードはいつ届きますか？」
→ When will I receive my cash card?

「もう一度説明していただけますか？」
→ Could you explain that again, please?

If you do not understand what the bank staff is explaining, ask them to explain it again before signing or confirming any information.

15. IMPORTANT POINTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WHO HAVE JUST ARRIVED IN JAPAN

The bank-account-opening procedure is not exactly the same at every bank.

For example, Japan Post Bank provides an app-based account-opening procedure for eligible foreign customers, while other banks may have different requirements regarding residence status, period of stay and identity verification. Even within the same bank, the available procedure may depend on the type of Residence Card you hold.

For this reason, international students should follow this basic order:

Check the bank → Check the requirements → Prepare the documents → Choose the application method → Enter your information → Verify your identity → Submit the application → Wait for approval → Receive your card.

Following these steps carefully can help reduce the need for repeated visits or additional document submissions.

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT IN JAPAN: KNOW THE PROCEDURE, NOT JUST HOW TO GET A CARD

For Vietnamese international students who have just arrived in Japan, opening a bank account may feel complicated because the procedure involves Japanese terminology, residence-status checks and identity verification.

However, preparing your Residence Card, student documents, Japanese telephone number and personal information in advance can make the process easier to follow.

The most important point is to check the latest requirements of the specific bank you intend to use. Application methods, required documents and conditions for foreign customers may change depending on the bank and the time of application.

Once you have your account and card, keep your PIN and other security information confidential, and familiarise yourself with the Japanese terms commonly used during banking and card payments.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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