3 easiest ways to make a payment card in Japan for Vietnamese students and workers

In this article, T-Connect will guide you through 3 How to make a payment card in Japan simple, fast, easy to do, and share more practical experiences to help you choose the card that best suits your personal needs. Whether you are a new international student in Japan or a skilled worker, you need to open a card to receive salary, pay tuition, pay phone bills, rent, and shop online.

Popular payment cards in Japan

In Japan, “payment card” (キャッシュカード or デビットカード in Japanese) is a general term for cards that can be used to:

• Pay directly at the store (convenience store, supermarket, bookstore...)
• Shopping online
• Withdraw money from ATM
• Receive salary or transfer money

Before learning how to make a payment card in Japan, you need to understand the types of cards that are commonly used to choose the right card for your personal purposes: going to work, receiving salary, shopping, or making international payments. In Japan, there are the following popular types of cards:

Debit Card

A card that is directly linked to your bank account. When you use it to make a payment, the money is immediately deducted from your bank account. Typical types of debit cards include:

• Rakuten Bank Debit
• Yucho Bank JP Debit
• AEON Bank Debit

Advantage:

• Easy to apply, no credit history required
• Can be used for both in-store and online payments
• Most banks offer free account opening.

Note:

• Only available within account balance limits
• Some international websites may not accept Japanese debit cards.

Credit Card

A card that allows you to spend now and pay later. At the end of each month, the bank will send you a bill asking for payment. You can pay in one lump sum or in installments. Examples of credit cards include:

• JCB Card, Aeon Card, Softbank/Y! Card
• Rakuten Credit Card
• EPOS Card (easy to register for international students)

Advantage:

• Easy international online shopping
• With loyalty points, offers, cashback
• Build a good credit history in Japan

Note:

• Difficult to register for international students or newcomers to Japan
• May require guarantor or stable income history

Prepaid Card

This is a card that is not linked to a bank account. You pre-load money onto the card, then use it to pay like a Visa/MasterCard such as:

• LINE Pay Card
• au PAY Prepaid
• Visa Prepaid at Lawson or 7-Eleven

Advantage:

• Easy to own, no complicated procedures
• Safe for people who don't want to use credit cards
• Good spending control, no worries about exceeding the limit

Note:

• Can't get salary or withdraw money from ATM
• Limited advanced features (transfers, bill payments)

International payment cards (Visa/Mastercard/JCB…)

This is a card with international logos such as Visa, Mastercard or JCB, which can be used for payments both domestically and internationally (including international online payments and at POS machines abroad).

International payment cards can be:

• International Debit (linked to bank account, deduct money immediately)
• International Credit (spend now, pay later)
• International Prepaid (deposit first, use later)

Advantage:

• Payment accepted in all countries accepting Visa/MasterCard/JCB
• Easily order on Amazon, Shopee, Booking, Netflix, etc.
• Convenient for traveling, working or sending money to Vietnam

Note:

• Foreign currency conversion fee (usually 1.5–3%)
• Easy to get rejected if using the wrong type of card (eg: Japanese debit card for payment on international website)
• Some debit cards do not fully support international features.

Conditions & documents required when making a payment card in Japan

Making a payment card in Japan is not too complicated, but you need to prepare the correct and complete documents according to the requirements of each bank or issuing organization. Depending on the type of card (debit, credit, prepaid) and the form of registration (direct or online), the conditions will be slightly different.

Conditions for making a payment card in Japan

Most banks and card issuers in Japan require users to have legal residency status, which means you need a valid residence card. In addition, some places will require you to have lived in Japan for 3 to 6 months or more, especially when applying for financial services or credit cards.

For debit or prepaid cards, the conditions are relatively simple:

• Have legal residence status in Japan (shown by a valid residence card).
• Have a clear residential address and a domestic Japanese phone number.
• Have lived in Japan for at least 3 months (required by some banks).
• Able to communicate in basic Japanese or have someone to assist with procedures…

Meanwhile, if you want to apply for a credit card, your conditions are often more stringent:

• 18 years of age or older (many places require 20 years of age).
• Have a stable income in Japan (from part-time, official or sponsored work).
• Have a stable residence history, usually 6 months or more.
• Have a valid residence card and a clear household registration/address in Japan.
• Financial guarantor required (e.g. spouse, company, relative).

Necessary documents when making a payment card in Japan

To make a payment card in Japan, especially when opening a bank account, you should prepare the following documents:

1. Thẻ cư trú (residence card): This is a required document to verify your residence status in Japan. If you do not have it or it has expired, you will not be able to open a card.
2. Passport: Used to confirm personal information and nationality.
3. Certificate of study or work: For international students, that is student card or student certificate. With labor, it can be labor contract, Certificate of Employment, or payroll.
4. Phone number and address in Japan: Some banks will send the card home by post, so you will need to have a clear address and phone number for verification.
5. My Number (individual number): Often required if you apply for a credit card, or make financial transactions that involve taxes.

If you apply for a card through an online banking app (like Rakuten Bank, LINE Bank, or PayPay), you’ll also need to bring clear photos of your residence card and passport, along with a clear photo of your face for identity verification. Many banks also require you to enter your address in romaji (English-style letters without accents), so it’s a good idea to write it down in advance to avoid mistakes when filling out the form.

Instructions on how to make a payment card in Japan

Depending on your needs and familiarity with administrative procedures, you can choose one of the following three ways to make a payment card in Japan:

Make a card at the bank

This is the most popular and reliable way to make a payment card in Japan, suitable for international students, skilled workers and interns who need to open an account to receive salary, pay tuition, pay bills...

Banks preferred by Vietnamese:

• Yucho Bank (Japan Post Bank): easy to do, many branches, support foreigners
• Mizuho Bank, MUFG, SMBC: reputation, good international connections
• AEON Bank: located in shopping mall, convenient

Procedures & processes:

1. Chuẩn bị giấy tờ:
   • Thẻ cư trú (residence card)
   • Passport
   • Student ID or employment certificate
   • Japan Domestic Phone Number
   • Clear residential address
2. Go to the nearest bank branch (preferably near home or work).
3. Fill out the account opening and payment card registration form (Japanese language support may be required).
4. Get bank account number immediately after successful registration.
5. Payment card will be sent to your home by post within 5-14 days.

Note:

• You should come in the morning or early afternoon to avoid running out of numbers.
• If you are not fluent in Japanese, you can ask a friend, relative or international support center to go with you.
• Some banks require you to have lived in Japan for 3–6 months.

Register online via banking app

If you are used to using smartphones and want to save time and avoid waiting in line, this is an extremely convenient way to make a payment card in Japan, especially for young people who have some experience living in Japan.

Online registration process:

1. Download the banking app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Create a new account with the following information: full name, address, email, phone number.
3. Verify your identity by:
   • Take a photo of your residence card (front and back)
   • Take a selfie following the app's instructions.
4. Wait for confirmation via email/SMS.
5. The debit card will be delivered to your home in approximately 5–7 business days.

Note:

• Please prepare a clear photo of your residence card and check the information is written in romaji (no accents).
• Most apps require you to live in Japan and have a valid address to receive the card.

Make cards at e-wallet services

This is the most flexible and fastest way to get a payment card in Japan (usually prepaid or debit) without opening a bank account.

Some popular e-wallets and services:

• LINE Pay Visa Prepaid
• PayPay Card
• au PAY Card
• VISA prepaid card at Lawson, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart

How to make & use:

1. Download e-wallet app (LINE, PayPay, au PAY…) and register an account with your phone number.
2. Register a payment card in the app (choose the type of card you want to use – usually prepaid).
3. Verify identity (if required) as instructed with a photo of your residence card/selfie.
4. Virtual cards can be used immediately for online shopping.
5. You can register to receive a physical card by mail if you want to use it in stores.

Or, you can:

• Buy physical VISA prepaid card at combini.
• Deposit money directly at the cashier or ATM.
• Use the card to pay like a regular Visa card.

Note:

• This is a card that is not linked to a bank account, suitable for people who are new to Japan or are not eligible to open an account.
• You cannot receive salary or transfer money with this card.

Owning an international payment card in Japan not only helps Vietnamese people easily shop, pay, transfer money and manage personal finances, but is also an important step to integrate into modern and convenient life in Japan. Be proactive in learning and starting to make a payment card in Japan today to save time, optimize spending and easily handle transactions in your daily life.
If you are living in Japan and have difficulty paying your monthly bills or telecommunications service fees, the My T-connect app from the operator T-connect is an ideal solution. With smart features that allow easy and quick payment, along with many attractive incentives for users, you will no longer have to worry about going to Combini to pay for Internet or monthly phone packages. This application helps simplify the payment process, bringing maximum convenience to users, and is especially available on both Apple Store and Google Play!