This article is written by a Japanese local.
Newly arrived foreign employees in Japan are in a “Super White” state, meaning they have no history in Japan’s credit information agencies. If they apply for high-status credit cards or cards issued by mega-banks in this state, there is an extremely high probability that they will be mechanically “rejected (denied)” due to automated scoring.
Once rejected, that record remains for six months, causing significant disruption to daily payments and the use of online services. HR managers must possess objective criteria regarding “which cards are easier to pass even in a foreigner’s initial state” and guide employees to the appropriate cards. This article explains the card selection process to prevent unnecessary rejections and ensure a reliable means of payment.
1. The Wall of “Bank-Issued Cards” to Avoid First
[Summary] Cards issued by mega-banks prioritize past credit history above all else. It is an ironclad rule to avoid applying for these immediately after entering the country.
The difficulty of Japanese credit card screenings varies greatly depending on the nature of the issuer. Among them, the ones foreign employees must absolutely avoid as their “first card” are “bank-issued cards” such as SMBC or MUFG cards, and “independent (proper) cards” like JCB.
These card companies place extreme importance on the applicant’s “stable payment history within Japan.” No matter how large the company they work for or how high their income, as long as their past payment history in Japan is zero, the system will judge their “proof of payment ability as insufficient” and mercilessly reject them. It is highly rational to position these as “second cards” to apply for only after accumulating 1 to 2 years of living history in Japan.
2. Utilizing “Retail-Affiliated Cards” to Maximize Issuance Probability
[Summary] Retail-affiliated cards prioritize acquiring customers within their ecosystem and have unique screening criteria, making them easier for foreigners to pass.
The “first card” a Super White foreign employee should aim for is a “retail-affiliated card (Ryutsu-kei card)” issued by retailers or online shopping malls. Prominent examples include the Rakuten Card, EPOS Card, and Amazon Mastercard.
The primary goal of these card companies is to “have customers use the card and increase sales at their own physical or online stores.” Therefore, rather than mechanically looking only at past history like bank-issued cards, they evaluate factors like “current employer” and “prospective annual income” using unique algorithms, showing a tendency to issue cards more flexibly.
In particular, the Rakuten Card and EPOS Card have a broad track record of issuance to foreign students and workers. By ensuring the accurate input of company information and phone numbers on the application form, it is highly possible to pass the screening.
3. The Ultimate Defense: “Deposit-Type Credit Cards”
[Summary] By depositing a guarantee fund in advance, deposit-type cards reduce the screening hurdle to virtually zero, serving as a solid foundation for building credit.
If an employee is rejected even for a retail-affiliated card, or if they absolutely do not want a rejection record left on their file, the most reliable option is a “Deposit-Type Credit Card.” The Nexus Card and Life Card Deposit fall into this category.
The mechanism of this card requires the applicant to deposit a “guarantee fund (e.g., 100,000 JPY)” with the card company upon contracting, and that exact amount (100,000 JPY) becomes the card’s credit limit. Because the card company can recover any defaulted payments from the deposited funds, the risk of bad debt is completely zero. As a result, even in conditions where normal card screenings would fail, these are almost certainly issued.
Unlike debit or prepaid cards, deposit-type cards are treated strictly as “credit cards.” Therefore, they can be used to issue ETC cards for highways and to pay at gas stations or for monthly telecom bills. Furthermore, by consistently making payments without delay every month, a “positive credit history” is recorded with the credit information agency (CIC), creating a strong foundation to pass normal card screenings half a year to a year later.
4. Practical Q&A (Troubleshooting HR Should Guide)
[Summary] Answers practical questions about substituting with a debit card and special cards tailored for foreigners.
Q. To avoid the risk of rejection, is it okay to just have them use a “Debit Card” from the beginning?
A. For everyday shopping alone, a debit card linked to a bank account (which deducts immediately from the balance) is a sufficient substitute. However, there are many cases in Japan where “only credit cards are accepted (debit cards not allowed),” such as contracting a Low-Cost SIM, obtaining an ETC card for highways, or paying certain rent guarantor companies. To completely establish living infrastructure, it is most rational to secure at least one genuine credit card.
Q. Are there any credit cards explicitly marketed “for foreigners”?
A. In recent years, dedicated cards specializing in supporting foreign residents, such as the “GTN EPOS Card,” have emerged. These are equipped with multilingual support desks and are designed to be easy to apply for, even for foreigners unfamiliar with Japanese screening criteria. If an employee feels anxious about Japanese application forms, guiding them to these foreigner-specific retail-affiliated cards is highly accurate support.
Conclusion: Eliminate “Financial Friction” with the Right Card Choice
Japan’s credit card screening system is a heavy mechanism where “getting rejected once immobilizes you.” Before employees apply for the wrong cards based on their own judgment, HR managers must present the objective, optimal solutions—such as “Retail-Affiliated Cards” or “Deposit-Type Cards”—to guide them smoothly into starting their economic activities in Japan.