Rakuten Mobile eSIM Setup Guide for Foreign Residents

Updated July 21, 2026

Quick answer

Foreign residents can use Rakuten Mobile eSIM when the identity-verification route, exact phone model and contract conditions all qualify.

Before applying, confirm that the phone is listed for Rakuten Mobile eSIM, is SIM-unlocked and can run the latest my Rakuten Mobile app. For online IC-chip verification, the supported Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate must contain the correct address. Cards combined with a My Number Card and second-generation cards issued on or after June 14, 2026 currently require a Rakuten Mobile shop. Keep Wi-Fi and the old line available until data, standard calls, SMS and Rakuten Link have all passed.

Do not delete an existing eSIM profile or cancel the old carrier early. Both actions can make recovery harder.

Advertising disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you apply through them. Compensation does not change the eligibility checks, technical guidance, disadvantages or alternative routes described in this article.

For: Foreign residents living in Japan who want a Rakuten Mobile voice line on eSIM, or who already have an approved eSIM application.

Not for: Short-term visitors looking for a travel data eSIM, a ranking of every Japanese eSIM, or a full Rakuten Mobile plan comparison.

Method: Official Rakuten Mobile pages were checked in English and Japanese. Contract eligibility is separated from technical setup. No speed results, approval outcomes or personal experiences have been invented.

Can a foreign resident apply for Rakuten Mobile eSIM?

A foreign resident may be able to apply, but nationality alone does not determine the result. You must separately pass the contract and identity-verification process and meet the technical eSIM requirements. Approval is not guaranteed.

Use this 2026 eligibility gate before you apply

Your situation	Can you use online Simple Mobile ID Verification?	Best next step
Standard Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate; IC-chip address is correct; compatible unlocked phone	Potentially yes, subject to all other requirements and screening.	Use the latest app and continue with eSIM after checking compatibility.
The card was created before an address was registered, or the address changed and the IC chip is not current	No while the IC-chip address is incorrect.	Apply at a shop or complete the official IC-chip information update procedure first.
Specified Residence Card or Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate combined with a My Number Card	Not currently.	Apply at a Rakuten Mobile shop with the original document.
Second-generation Residence Card or Second-generation Special Permanent Resident Certificate issued on or after June 14, 2026	Not currently.	Apply at a Rakuten Mobile shop.
Another identity-verification method is selected	Depends on the method and order contents.	Follow that method’s instructions; eSIM does not always mean immediate activation.
The exact phone is unlisted, SIM-locked or unable to run the required app	The identity step may be separate, but the eSIM setup is not ready.	Use another supported phone or reconsider the SIM type.
You only need temporary data as a visitor	This resident voice-contract guide is not the correct route.	Use a travel-eSIM guide instead.

Important 2026 change: Specified and second-generation residence documents can currently be used at Rakuten Mobile shops, but not for online Simple Mobile ID Verification. This is a document-route restriction, not proof that the applicant cannot contract Rakuten Mobile. Find a Rakuten Mobile shop.

Proceed online

Your ID and device both qualify

Continue to the compatibility, campaign and preparation checks. Screening and activation time remain conditional.

Use a shop

Your document is shop-only

Do not keep retrying online eKYC. Bring the original document and confirm the shop requirements.

Pause

Your IC-chip address may be old

Resolve the address issue before assuming that the app or camera is broken.

Check another device

Your phone is not confirmed

Do not order eSIM merely because the manufacturer says the phone supports eSIM.

Rakuten Mobile states that the Japanese version of its terms is definitive and that some messages or customer-service features may not be available in the selected language. A shop is the safer route when the document itself is not eligible for online verification.

Check device compatibility and SIM-lock status

Do not rely only on the phone model name. Check the exact model, purchase country, eSIM support, Rakuten Mobile compatibility result and SIM-lock status. Overseas versions of the same smartphone can support different bands or functions.

Open Rakuten Mobile’s official compatibility checker and select the exact device.
Confirm that the result specifically includes eSIM, not only physical SIM.
Check whether the phone is SIM-unlocked. Older carrier-purchased devices may still require an unlock procedure.
Update iOS or Android and the my Rakuten Mobile app before starting.
Keep the device charged and avoid beginning immediately before travel, work or an important call.
Use the same Rakuten ID for the employee-referral login, application, contract and point receipt.
Confirm payment and full contract-document requirements in the dedicated application guide; this setup article intentionally does not duplicate the complete form process.

Check before you apply

Confirm the exact device, not only the phone name

Use the official eSIM page to verify the model and eSIM support. If you still need plan or support information, open the official English site in a separate tab.

Check eSIM compatibility View the official English site

Alternative: If the phone fails the official compatibility check, a physical SIM may be easier, but it does not solve missing radio-band or network compatibility.

What to prepare before activation

Prepare the following before you press any activation or MNP button:

Stable Wi-Fi. The phone needs Internet access while downloading and activating the eSIM profile.
The latest my Rakuten Mobile app installed on the phone that will use the eSIM.
Your Rakuten ID and access to the registered email address and phone number.
Your approved application number.
A compatible, SIM-unlocked phone with sufficient battery.
Your old SIM or old carrier line kept active until all tests are complete.
A second screen only when you plan to display a QR code on a computer or another device.
Time to complete calls, SMS, data and Rakuten Link tests without interruption.

One-device and two-device setup

Setup method	What you use	Best for	Important point
One device	The target phone and the latest app	Most approved eKYC applications	Open the application in the app; do not try to scan a QR code shown on the same screen.
Two devices	A computer or second phone displays the QR code; the target phone scans it	Browser-based activation or a delivered start guide	The QR code must be scanned by the phone that will receive the eSIM.
Only a browser on the target phone	The same phone is showing the Web page	Not recommended	Return to the app when instructed instead of trying to scan your own screen.

Choose eSIM and the correct identity-verification method

During the application, select eSIM as the SIM type. For the fastest online route, choose Simple Mobile ID Verification only when your document and device meet the current requirements. Foreign nationals can currently use a Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate for the IC-chip process.

The name, date of birth and address in your Rakuten membership and application should match the identity document. An address added only to the visible surface of the card may not be enough if the IC-chip data is different.

This article intentionally does not reproduce the entire application or document process. Add the site’s dedicated application and required-document guides here after confirming that those pages are published.

Protect referral-campaign eligibility before applying

The eSIM type does not create the referral benefit by itself. The referral login, Rakuten ID linked to the contract, eligible application and exclusion rules must match the current conditions shown through the designated employee-referral URL.

Advertising / PR

Current employee-referral campaign

Check up to 14,000 Rakuten Points before you apply

As of July 21, 2026, Rakuten Mobile’s official employee-referral FAQ lists 14,000 points for an eligible MNP switch and 7,000 points for another eligible new application. These are limited-time points, paid in installments only after the applicable conditions are satisfied.

Keep your number with MNP14,000 points

Other eligible new application7,000 points

Safest route: Open the designated employee-referral URL and sign in with the Rakuten ID that will be linked to the contract before applying. Rakuten Mobile’s FAQ says that a missed referral login may be considered when completed within seven days including the application date, but evidence may be requested. Do not rely on a post-application correction.

Open the designated employee-referral URL and sign in with the Rakuten ID that will be linked to the contract.
Confirm the current reward, eligible application, referral-login status, exclusions, combination rules and point-award schedule.
Apply only after confirming that the referral login and contract Rakuten ID are the intended ones.
Complete the eligible application, screening and MNP or new-number setup as required by the current referral conditions.
Keep a record of the referral login, application date, contract Rakuten ID and the conditions displayed when you applied.
Check the point-award schedule; the points are not an immediate reduction in the monthly bill.

Check the employee-referral offer and apply Read Rakuten Mobile in English

Employee-referral conditions can change or end before this article is updated. The referral screen displayed after login is the final check.

Referral login and eSIM activation are different stages. New applicants should use the designated referral URL with the contract Rakuten ID before applying whenever possible. The activation steps below begin after the application has been accepted. A later referral login is not automatically accepted and may require proof.

Activate Rakuten Mobile eSIM in the app

Button names can change with app updates, but the official flow is broadly as follows:

Connect the target phone to Wi-Fi and open the latest my Rakuten Mobile app.
Sign in with the Rakuten ID used for the application.
Open the approved application number.
If you are transferring a number, complete the MNP line-switching step first and wait for it to finish.
Select the option to proceed with activation. If the status does not change immediately, refresh after several minutes rather than repeatedly starting a new request.
Approve the system prompt to add or download the mobile plan.
Wait for the app and phone settings to show that the line has been added.
Restart only if the official device-specific page or the on-screen instructions require it.

Do not remove your old SIM, cancel the old line manually or delete any eSIM profile while the activation status is still unclear.

How long does eSIM activation take?

Rakuten Mobile advertises activation in as little as three minutes when Simple Mobile ID Verification is completed through the app on a compatible, SIM-unlocked Rakuten Mobile eSIM smartphone. This is a best-case condition, not a guaranteed total time. Screening, status updates, MNP timing, app problems and phone settings can make the process longer.

iPhone setup and line-label settings

On iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi, update iOS, open the approved order in the app and follow the prompt to add the mobile plan. iOS wording varies by version, so use the official iPhone page when the screen differs from this guide.

After the eSIM is added

Give the line a clear label such as “Rakuten” rather than leaving two lines with similar names.
Choose the default voice line deliberately.
Choose which line will use mobile data.
Keep mobile-data switching off during the first test unless you understand how it affects dual-SIM behavior.
Install any carrier-settings update offered by iOS.
Keep the previous line enabled until the Rakuten line passes all tests.

Android setup and APN checks

Android menus vary significantly by manufacturer. In general, open the approved application in the app, proceed to activation, approve the request to add an eSIM and then check the SIM or mobile-network settings for the new Rakuten line.

Do you need to enter an APN?

Do not enter a random APN from an old third-party guide. On a supported current device, settings may be applied automatically. Use manual APN values only when Rakuten Mobile’s current device-specific instructions explicitly tell you to do so. If an APN is required, copy it exactly from the official page for your model and OS version.

Enable the Rakuten line.
Set it as the mobile-data line for the first data test.
Check that airplane mode is off and Wi-Fi can be temporarily disabled for testing.
Restart the phone once if the official instructions request it.
If the line is present but data fails, compare the APN and preferred-network settings with the official device page.

MNP line switching and activation timing

MNP (Mobile Number Portability) is the process used to keep your Japanese phone number when switching carriers. Rakuten Mobile states that an MNP opening request made from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. is generally processed on the same day; a request from 9:01 p.m. to 8:59 a.m. is processed after 9:00 a.m. Requests close to 9:00 p.m. may move to the next day.

Do not press the MNP transfer or eSIM activation button early. Starting the transfer can terminate the old carrier contract and may leave the number temporarily unavailable until the new line is active.

Start while the old line still works.
Use stable Wi-Fi.
Avoid the edge of the stated processing window.
Finish the eSIM download immediately after the MNP switch is complete.
Do not schedule the switch just before a flight, shift, medical appointment or banking verification.

Test calls, SMS, data and Rakuten Link

A successful profile download is not the same as a fully tested line. Complete these checks in order:

Turn off Wi-Fi and open a Web page using Rakuten mobile data.
Make a standard phone call using the phone’s normal dialer.
Receive a standard call.
Send and receive an SMS in the phone’s normal Messages app.
Confirm that one-time passcodes can reach the standard Messages app.
Then install or open Rakuten Link and complete its initial setup.
Test an outgoing call in Rakuten Link and confirm the intended line is selected.

Rakuten Link is an additional app-based calling and messaging service. Do not use it as the only proof that the underlying mobile line is working.

Dual SIM and primary-line settings

Dual SIM lets one phone hold two active lines, such as an overseas number and a Japanese Rakuten number. The phone may ask for a default voice line, a mobile-data line and labels for each line.

Setting	Recommended first-test choice	Reason
Line labels	Use clear labels such as “Rakuten Japan” and “Home SIM”	Prevents calls or data from using the wrong line.
Mobile data	Rakuten only during the first test	Shows whether Rakuten data works without fallback.
Default voice	Choose deliberately; do not leave it ambiguous	Prevents unexpected international or other-carrier calls.
Data switching	Off during troubleshooting	Stops the phone from hiding a failed Rakuten data connection.
Old line	Keep enabled until all tests pass	Preserves recovery and verification options.
Overseas SIM data roaming	Turn it off unless intentionally needed	Reduces accidental roaming charges while Rakuten data is being tested.

Common errors and safe recovery

Problem	Likely cause	Safe action
Online eKYC rejects a newly issued Residence Card	It may be a specified or second-generation document that is currently shop-only	Check the document type and use a Rakuten Mobile shop if required. Do not keep scanning it as though the camera is the only problem.
The eSIM option is missing	Unsupported model, regional variant, old OS or SIM lock	Stop and recheck the exact model on the official compatibility page.
Identity verification cannot read the Residence Card	IC-chip/readability issue or address mismatch	Remove the phone case, retry NFC positioning, and verify the IC-chip address; otherwise use a shop.
The activation button is unavailable	Screening is incomplete or the application status has not refreshed	Wait, refresh after several minutes and confirm the correct Rakuten ID.
The QR code cannot be scanned	The QR is displayed on the target phone or has already been used	Use the app on the target phone or display the QR on a second screen. Do not request repeated reissues without checking status.
The line is installed but data does not work	Wrong data line, disabled SIM, outdated OS, unsupported device or device-specific APN issue	Select Rakuten for data, restart if instructed and follow the current official model page.
Calls work but Rakuten Link does not	Rakuten Link setup, permissions or account verification is incomplete	Test the normal dialer/SMS first, then redo Rakuten Link’s official initial setup.
You are tempted to delete the eSIM	Profile appears broken or duplicated	Do not delete it until you have confirmed the reissue and OTP route.

Advertising / PR

Still deciding?

Apply only after the phone, document and campaign route are clear

If every essential check now passes, use the designated employee-referral link rather than restarting from an unrelated application button. If a document or device check still fails, use the official English support information instead.

Review the referral offer and start correctly Check official English support

Changing devices or reissuing an eSIM

For many device changes, you request an eSIM reissue in my Rakuten Mobile, then activate the new profile on the new phone. Rakuten Mobile currently lists eSIM reissue at ¥0, while a physical SIM reissue is listed at ¥3,300 including tax; fees can change, so confirm the current page before acting.

Critical warning: Do not delete the current eSIM profile before starting and completing the reissue process. Rakuten Mobile warns that deleting it can prevent receipt of the SMS one-time password needed for an app-based reissue.

Some supported iPhones may use Apple’s eSIM Quick Transfer flow instead of a standard reissue. Follow the current official page for both the old and new device.

Rakuten Mobile says first activation must be completed in Japan. After a line has already been activated, an eSIM reissue may be possible while overseas, but access to your account, Wi-Fi and verification method remains essential.

Benefits, disadvantages and alternatives

Benefits

No physical SIM delivery or card insertion when the online eKYC route is available.
Convenient for dual-SIM use.
No physical card to lose or damage.
Current eSIM reissue fee is listed as ¥0.

Disadvantages

Compatibility depends on the exact device and regional model.
An ID or IC-chip address issue can block the fast online route.
App and OS screens change, so screenshots become outdated.
Some important messages and support may remain Japanese.
Deleting a working profile too early can make recovery harder.

Alternatives

Choose a physical SIM when the phone supports Rakuten Mobile but not eSIM.
Apply at a Rakuten Mobile shop when online ID verification is unsuitable.
Compare resident eSIM plans when Rakuten Mobile is not the only carrier you are considering.
Use a travel eSIM when you are a short-term visitor who only needs data.

Pre-activation checklist

My exact phone model is listed as compatible with Rakuten Mobile eSIM.
The phone is SIM-unlocked.
The latest OS and my Rakuten Mobile app are installed.
My name, date of birth and address match my identity document.
The visible address and IC-chip address on my Residence Card are consistent.
I have stable Wi-Fi and enough battery.
I know whether I will use one device or a second screen for a QR code.
My old SIM or old line will remain available until testing is complete.
I will complete MNP during the official processing window.
I will test mobile data, standard calls, standard SMS and Rakuten Link.
I will not delete an eSIM profile before confirming a safe reissue path.

Advertising / PR

Final decision

Ready only when every essential check above is complete

Use the employee-referral link when your document, device, SIM-lock status and application route are ready. Use the official English site when you still need to confirm a condition or contact support.

Check referral conditions and apply Open the official English site

Referral rewards and conditions can change. Confirm the referral login, contract Rakuten ID, eligible application, exclusions, incompatible campaigns, unpaid-balance rules and point-award schedule on the linked page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a second-generation Residence Card for online eSIM verification?

Not currently. Rakuten Mobile states that second-generation Residence Cards and second-generation Special Permanent Resident Certificates issued on or after June 14, 2026 must be used at a Rakuten Mobile shop rather than through Simple Mobile ID Verification.

Can I get a new number, or is eSIM only for MNP?

Rakuten Mobile provides application routes for a new number and for keeping an existing number through MNP. Campaign rewards and requirements can differ between the two routes.

Will activation always take three minutes?

No. The “as little as three minutes” statement applies only under the specified compatible-device, app, eKYC and SIM-unlock conditions. It is not a guarantee of screening or total setup time.

Can I keep an overseas SIM active with Rakuten eSIM?

Yes, on a compatible dual-SIM phone. Label both lines, choose the voice and data defaults deliberately, and turn off unintended data roaming on the overseas line.

Can I activate Rakuten Mobile eSIM outside Japan?

Rakuten Mobile says the first activation must be completed in Japan. A later eSIM reissue may be possible overseas after the line has already been activated.

Can I set it up with only one phone?

Yes, the latest my Rakuten Mobile app can handle the one-device flow for an eligible approved order. A second screen is useful only when you must display and scan a QR code.

Do I always need to enter an APN?

No. Do not enter manual values unless the current official instructions for your exact device and OS require them.

Should I delete a failed eSIM and start again?

Not immediately. First confirm the order status and reissue method. Deleting the profile can remove your ability to receive an SMS one-time password.

How do I avoid losing campaign eligibility during eSIM identity verification?

Open the designated employee-referral URL and sign in with the Rakuten ID that will be linked to the contract before applying whenever possible. Rakuten Mobile’s official FAQ says that a missed login may be considered when completed within seven days including the application date, but evidence may be requested. Confirm the current referral conditions and incompatible campaigns before applying.

Sources, method and last checked

Method: We reviewed Rakuten Mobile’s official English and Japanese pages for foreign-national identity verification, the May and June 2026 Residence Card notices, eSIM compatibility, online application, activation, MNP, dual SIM, iPhone/Android setup, Rakuten Link, reissue and overseas activation. We also reviewed current English search results to identify travel-eSIM confusion, outdated verification guidance and unsupported guarantees. We separated contract eligibility from technical setup and did not invent speed tests, screenshots or personal experience.

Last checked: July 21, 2026 (Japan time). Recheck this article whenever Rakuten Mobile changes supported IDs, Residence Card rules, app screens, eSIM activation, MNP hours, reissue fees, supported devices or employee-referral conditions.

Update history

Date	Change
July 21, 2026	Added the June 2026 specified and second-generation Residence Card restrictions; strengthened campaign, activation-time, dual-SIM and recovery guidance.
Previous version	Combined foreign-resident eligibility, eSIM activation, iPhone/Android setup, MNP and reissue guidance.

Affiliate disclosure: This article includes an affiliate link. A possible commission does not change the technical eligibility rules, recovery advice or the decision to direct an ineligible reader to an official page or shop.

Uncertain or device-dependent points: Rakuten Mobile does not guarantee every unlisted overseas model, exact menu names vary by OS and manufacturer, screening time is not guaranteed, and English translation or live support is not guaranteed for every feature. When the English and Japanese versions differ, Rakuten Mobile states that the Japanese version prevails.