Foreign residents can apply for Rakuten Mobile with an accepted ID and a Japanese address. The important 2026 detail is that some newly issued residence cards cannot be used for online IC-chip verification, so their holders must apply at a Rakuten Mobile shop.
What to prepare
- A valid residence card, special permanent resident certificate, or another accepted ID
- A Japanese address and personal details matching the ID exactly
- A Rakuten ID
- An accepted payment method in the applicant’s name
- An unlocked phone compatible with the Rakuten network and your chosen SIM type
- Matching account ownership when transferring a number by MNP
Middle names, Roman-letter order, apartment numbers, and spacing can cause verification delays. If a residence card shows both kanji and Roman letters, Rakuten’s guidance says to enter the subscriber name in Roman letters. Update the address on the card before applying after a move.
Important residence-card change in 2026
“Simple Mobile ID Verification” reads an ID card’s IC chip with an NFC-capable smartphone. However, certain documents issued from June 14, 2026—including second-generation and specified residence cards—are not accepted by this online method. Applicants using those documents need to visit a shop.
Online verification may also fail when the printed address and the address stored in the IC chip differ. If the application says the document is unsupported, take it to a shop instead of repeatedly retrying.
Official sources: ID notice for foreign residents and accepted identity documents
Online application steps
- Match the name and address in your Rakuten ID to your ID document.
- Check network, eSIM, and SIM-lock compatibility for your phone.
- Choose a new number or MNP, then eSIM or a physical SIM.
- Review the plan, optional services, and subscriber information.
- Complete one of the identity-verification methods shown to you.
- Follow the review and delivery status in
my Rakuten Mobile.
If you use a referral campaign, sign in through the referral page before applying and save the current terms. Point amounts and eligibility can change.
Keeping your number with MNP
For carriers supporting MNP One Stop, an online transfer may proceed without a reservation number. Other carriers require one. Rakuten’s official guidance says shop applications require an MNP reservation number even when the old carrier supports One Stop.
Once the transfer is activated, the old carrier’s line stops working. Depending on the submission time, activation may complete the same day or the next morning, so avoid a period when you need calls or authentication texts.
Official source: MNP transfer procedure
eSIM or physical SIM?
eSIM avoids SIM delivery and can be the fastest option with a supported device, stable Wi-Fi, and the latest app. Some verification choices still require delivery of a start guide.
Physical SIM takes time to arrive but is familiar and easier to move between compatible phones. For either option, confirm that an imported phone supports Rakuten’s network and is SIM-unlocked.
Official source: Rakuten network activation guide
Common reasons for a delayed application
- The name, middle name, or address differs from the ID
- The residence card is expired or its address is outdated
- A new card unsupported by online verification is being used
- The MNP line and applicant have different account holders
- The MNP reservation number has insufficient validity remaining
- The phone does not support eSIM or the Rakuten network
- The app is outdated or Wi-Fi fails during activation
Keep screenshots, the application number, and confirmation emails. When the problem concerns the ID itself, a shop visit is usually more productive than changing the same form repeatedly.
Bottom line
Foreign residents can open a Rakuten Mobile line. Match every application field to the ID, check whether the residence card supports online IC verification, and verify device compatibility before ordering. Choose eSIM for speed when every requirement is met, or a shop application when you need document confirmation.