Can Foreigners Sign Up for Rakuten Mobile? (Yes — Here’s How)

Are you a foreigner living in Japan or planning to move soon? One of the first things you’ll need is a reliable mobile plan. The good news is—yes, foreigners can sign up for Rakuten Mobile, and the process is much easier than many people expect.

And if you sign up through the Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign, you can receive extra Rakuten Points and other perks compared to the regular referral program, including:

• Up to 14,000 Rakuten Points when switching from another carrier
• Up to 11,000 Rakuten Points for new or additional lines
• Eligibility for up to 5 lines (regular referral only allows 1)
• Resubscribe eligibility (not available in regular referral)

*Must start using Rakuten Mobile by 11:59 PM on the last day of the second month following the date you clicked and logged in the employee referral campaign

These bonus points can even help reduce your phone bill to 0 yen when combined with Rakuten Points earned from shopping and other Rakuten services.

Sign-up via employee referral from here!

Table of Contents

1. Can foreigners sign up for Rakuten Mobile?
2. What documents do foreigners need?
3. How to apply (step-by-step)
4. How much is Rakuten Mobile?
5. Why Rakuten Mobile is great for foreigners
6. FAQ
7. More about the Employee Referral Campaign

Can foreigners sign up for Rakuten Mobile?

Yes—foreigners can sign up for Rakuten Mobile as long as they have the required identification. Rakuten Mobile is known for being a foreigner‑friendly carrier in Japan, offering:

• Simple online application
• eSIM activation (start in minutes)
• English-friendly website and support
• Affordable pricing

What documents do foreigners need?

Foreign residents need the following:

• Residence Card (在留カード)
• Credit card for payment
• Rakuten ID (free to create)

How to apply (step-by-step)

You can apply online or in-store, but online is the fastest:

1. Create or log into your Rakuten account
2. Select SIM type (eSIM or SIM card), your plan (Rakuten SAIKYO Plan or Rakuten SAIKYO U-NEXT), and phone (if you plan on purchasing a new phone)
3. Upload your Residence Card for ID verification
4. Set up payment
5. Activate your SIM or eSIM

How much is Rakuten Mobile?

Rakuten Mobile uses a simple, usage-based pricing model. For full details including the Rakuten SAIKYO U-NEXT plan, see the details from this past blog post.

Monthly Data	Price (incl. tax)
Up to 3GB	1,078 JPY
Up to 20GB	2,178 JPY
Unlimited*	3,278 JPY

*1 Speed may be restricted due to fair service provision during peak times and other conditions.

Why Rakuten Mobile is great for foreigners

• Easy online signup
• English support available
• Affordable pricing
• eSIM activation
• Use Rakuten Points to pay your entire bill—yes your phone bill payment may become 0 JPY! Find out more about paying with Rakuten Points in this post.

FAQ

Can I use Rakuten Mobile with an unlocked phone?

Yes—most unlocked phones work as long as they support Rakuten’s bands. Check here to see if your phone is compatible.

Can I pay my bill with Rakuten Points?

Yes, you can pay your entire bill with points.

More about the Employee Referral Campaign

For full details on:

• How many points you can earn
• Differences between employee referral vs. regular referral
• Eligibility rules
• Plan comparisons (SAIKYO Plan, SAIKYO U-NEXT, Turbo)

See the full guide here:
All About Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign

Sign-up via employee referral campaign from here!

*Information as of 12/22/2025
*Conditions apply, such as logging in via the referral campaign URL or starting service use before applying.
*Points will be awarded in installments starting four months after the referral login month.

*1 If the referred person uses the 6,000 yen OFF coupon at the official Rakuten Mobile Rakuten Ichiba store, they will receive 8,000 points instead.