With its low crime rate, Japan is one of the safest countries for international students. It is a country with a rich culture, technological advancements, and many professional opportunities.

As a result of its low-cost quality education, Japan attracts a lot of international students and expats. As a foreigner, navigating a new country might be too much, considering the new environment and language barrier. Another concern is how to navigate the Japanese financial ecosystem. This post will explain how to choose your ideal bank and open a bank account as an international student in Japan.

Top 5 Banks for International Students in Japan

Japan Post Bank (Yucho Ginko).

Japan Post Bank is a favourite for international students because it’s easy to use and navigate. It offers a wide ATM network, accepts student visas, and is great for people who will not be in Japan for a long period of time.

Shinsei Bank.

With its English language support, Shinsei Bank offers a feature-rich online banking platform. However, you must have resided in Japan for at least 3 months, even as an international student to open an account here.

SMBC Prestia Bank.

If you’re a tech-savvy international student in Japan and you prefer mobile apps to in-person visits to the bank, then SMBC Prestia Bank is for you. It offers free debit cards and accepts student visas, but you must have resided in Japan for at least 6 months.

OhentPay is a mobile app that lets you send and receive money internationally swiftly and at the best rates.  With Ohentpay, you can send and receive money to over 190 countries, and exchange over 40 currencies. So you can send or receive support from loved ones back home without delay. 

Rakuten Bank.

You can apply for an account in Rakuten Bank online in English language. Apart from strong English language support, you also get student debit cards.

Citibank Japan.

With its global reach, Citibank has foreign language support for international students in Japan who are not fluent in Japanese. The bank's wide reach allows you to access Citibank ATMs globally and nationally.

How To Open a Bank Account in Japan With an International Student Visa

Opening a bank account in Japan with a student visa is more complicated than opening a long-term one. However, it’s not impossible. Let’s look into the account opening process step by step.

Get the required documents ready: You’ll need:

• A residence card to show that you’re a student in Japan.
• Your passport and student visa
• Proof of Japanese residence. 
• Your personal seal (Inkan)or signature.
• A small initial deposit.

Visit a branch for the account opening: Once you've decided on a bank, visit a branch with the documents listed above and any others the bank might require. Fill out an application form and get your documents verified and approved. Then, wait for your account details.

Please note that the application form might be in Japanese, so don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when needed.

Wrapping Up

The banks listed above have one thing in common: they understand the needs of international students and try to provide them with features that make their stay in Japan easier. If you have any inquiries, contact the banks or visit their websites for more information. Remember, the ideal bank for you is one that suits your needs as an international student. 

If you’d like to send money anywhere in the world from Japan and you prefer fast transfers at great rates, we recommend the OhentPay money transfer service. Create an account to get started here.

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