# PayPay, Suica and cashless payments in Japan for foreign residents

URL: https://japanhow.com/money/cards/cashless-payments-japan-paypay-suica/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 24, 2026

## Summary

Foreign residents can use PayPay with a Japanese mobile number that receives SMS. Overseas numbers are not accepted. To link a bank account or withdraw money, you must pass PayPay's ID check (eKYC). For it you need a residence card with at least 90 days left, but cards issued from 14 June 2026 are not accepted yet. You can add cash free at Seven Bank and Lawson Bank ATMs. Suica and PASMO work in Apple Wallet. Most Android phones bought abroad can't use Mobile PASMO. As of October 2026.

## Key facts

- PayPay sign-up: Japanese mobile number with SMS
- Residence card for ID check: 90+ days left
- Cash top-up: Free at Seven Bank, Lawson Bank ATMs
- Suica on iPhone: iPhone 7 or later, in Wallet

Yes, a foreigner living in Japan can use PayPay, but you need **a Japanese mobile number that can receive SMS**. PayPay does not accept overseas numbers. To link a bank account or withdraw money, you also need to pass PayPay's ID check (本人確認, eKYC). With a residence card (在留カード), the card needs **at least 90 days left** when you apply. These are PayPay's own rules as of October 2026. Suica and PASMO, the train cards, also work in Apple Wallet on an iPhone.

## Can foreigners use PayPay?

Yes. PayPay's help pages list only two things you need: the PayPay app and a smartphone that can receive SMS. An iPad or tablet won't work. Registration is free, but data charges apply.

The catch is the phone number. PayPay says **overseas mobile numbers can't be used**, so you need a Japanese number first. PayPay normally checks the number with a phone call from the app. On a data-only SIM, tap 'データ通信専用SIMを使っている場合' (I use a data-only SIM) on that screen to verify by SMS instead, so the SIM still needs a number that receives SMS. See [SIM cards for foreigners](/phone-internet/mobile/sim-card-for-foreigners-japan/) if you don't have a Japanese number yet.

You can sign up with your mobile number, a Yahoo! JAPAN ID, a SoftBank, Y!mobile or LINEMO line, a Google account or an Apple account. Every route ends with checking your phone number. If you close an account, you can't use the same number again for 180 days.

## Do I need the ID check (eKYC)?

You can pay in shops without it, but the ID check decides which kind of balance you hold. PayPay has two main balance types:

| | PayPay Money (PayPayマネー) | PayPay Money Lite (PayPayマネーライト) |
|---|---|---|
| ID check needed | Yes | No |
| Withdraw to a bank account | Yes | No |
| Pay tax bills (resident tax, car tax) | Yes | No |
| Comes from | Bank or ATM top-ups after the ID check | PayPay Card, PayPay Credit, SoftBank or Y!mobile billing, or bank or ATM top-ups before the ID check |

You also need the ID check to **register a bank account**. Money Lite you already hold does not turn into PayPay Money after the check. Only new top-ups do. So if you plan to link a bank or pay taxes, do the ID check first.

## Which documents does PayPay accept from foreigners?

If your period of stay (在留期間) is not indefinite, PayPay needs one of three documents so it can see when your stay ends:

- a **residence card**
- a **special permanent resident certificate** (特別永住者証明書)
- a **My Number card** (マイナンバーカード), read by its chip or with a face check. The method using the 6 to 16-digit signature PIN is not available to you, even though PayPay's general guide offers it to others.

**Passports and health insurance cards are not accepted.** Student ID cards and the old paper notification card (通知カード) aren't accepted either. If you are under 16, only a My Number card works.

**New residence cards from 14 June 2026 don't work yet:** PayPay says residence cards and special permanent resident certificates **issued on or after 14 June 2026** can't be used for its ID check yet. If you try, the app says "入力した番号に誤りがあります" (the number you entered is wrong). PayPay tells you to use a [My Number card](/life/admin/my-number-card-foreigners/) instead and hasn't said when it will accept the new cards. This is as of October 2026.

## How do I do the PayPay ID check with a residence card?

You need app version 4.55.0 or later and at least 90 days left on your card when you apply. Type your name exactly as it is on the card. The katakana reading (フリガナ) should match the bank account you plan to link.

Taking off glasses helps if the face check fails. You can't use details that are already verified on another account, such as an old account on a previous phone number. Politically exposed persons from foreign governments and their families can't complete the check.

## How do I link a bank account and add money?

Once the ID check is done, go to Home > すべて (All) > 銀行口座登録 (register bank account). The account must be in your own name, and company accounts aren't allowed. Depending on the bank, you'll need your passbook, cash card, PIN or a one-time password. PayPay lists the banks it supports at [paypay.ne.jp/guide/bank-list](https://paypay.ne.jp/guide/bank-list). Top-ups from a bank account can't be cancelled. If you don't have a Japanese account yet, see [bank accounts for foreigners](/money/banking/bank-account-for-foreigners-japan/).

No bank? You can add cash **free at Seven Bank and Lawson Bank ATMs**, without an account at either bank. Choose the smartphone or charge option on the ATM. In the app, tap + > ATMチャージ (ATM top-up), scan the QR code on the screen, enter the number shown, then insert cash within 10 minutes.

**Withdrawing to your bank:** ¥0 to PayPay Bank, ¥100 to other banks (SMBC: free 5 times a month, then ¥100. Only PayPay Money can be withdrawn. As of October 2026.)

## What happens to PayPay when my visa is renewed or I leave Japan?

As your period of stay nears its end, PayPay asks you to update your ID details. If you don't update in time, it may restrict your account. You have to update even if nothing has changed. Do it under Account > details > identity check > update all items.

If you have applied to [renew your visa](/visa/visas/visa-renewal-japan/), PayPay lets you keep using the account for **up to 2 months after the expiry date**. It must be able to confirm the application from the stamp on the back of your card or from the immigration bureau's online application email. You arrange this through PayPay customer support. If you are leaving Japan for good, PayPay says to close your account; add it to your [leaving Japan checklist](/visa/leaving/leaving-japan-checklist/). PayPay also says you can't do the ID check from abroad.

## Is the PayPay app in English?

The App Store lists **Japanese and English** for the PayPay app. PayPay's help pages can be shown in English, but PayPay notes that the English text is AI machine translation.

## Can I use Suica or PASMO on my phone as a foreigner?

Yes. Suica and PASMO are prepaid transit IC cards for trains, buses and shopping at stores that show their logo. PASMO says 10 transit IC cards, including Suica and PASMO, work across Japan wherever the shared logo is shown.

**iPhone.** Apple's page says Suica, PASMO and ICOCA can be added to Wallet. Suica needs an iPhone 7 or later and PASMO an iPhone 8 or later. In Wallet, tap + > Transit Card, choose the card and set a starting balance. You can also move an existing plastic card, its balance and its commuter pass into Wallet. After that, the plastic card stops working. Express Mode turns on automatically for your first transit card, so you pay for rides and purchases with just a tap.

**Android.** PASMO says Android phones **bought outside Japan generally don't work** with Mobile PASMO, and that its Mobile PASMO support is in Japanese only. A phone bought in Japan is the safer choice if you want a transit card on Android. Otherwise, use a plastic card.

**Plastic card.** A new PASMO costs a ¥500 deposit on top of the value you load. You get the deposit back with your balance when you return the card. PASMO says you can't pay for a new card with a credit card. A personalized card has your name, gender, birth date and phone number on record, so it can be reissued if you lose it. A blank card needs no registration, but it can't be reissued.

**Commuter pass (定期券).** On a plastic card, a commuter pass sits on a personalized PASMO. On iPhone, PASMO says you need the PASMO app for some services, such as commuter passes.

**Tourist cards are for visitors:** TOURIST PASMO is made for international visitors. It lasts 28 days from purchase and you don't get the remaining value back. As a resident, get a regular or personalized card, or add one to your phone. We couldn't open JR East's pages to confirm the current rules for its Welcome Suica card, so check them at the station before you buy one.

## What about Rakuten Pay, d払い and au PAY?

They are other code (QR) payment apps. Rakuten Pay can also pay tax and utility bills by scanning the QR code or barcode on the bill. d払い is docomo's payment app, which earns and uses d POINT. None of these providers' public pages we checked state rules for foreign residents, such as which residence cards they accept. Check the app's ID check screen before you rely on one.

## Is Japan cashless now?

Mostly, but not fully. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (経済産業省, METI) counted **58.0% of 2025 spending as cashless** on its domestic measure. QR code payments made up 10.2% of the cashless total and e-money such as Suica made up 3.7%. Credit cards are still by far the largest share. Why cash, fax and seals still hang on is covered in [why Japan still uses fax, hanko and cash](/life/admin/why-japan-still-uses-fax-hanko-cash/). Keep some cash on you.

Be careful with messages that claim to come from PayPay. PayPay's help center warns about fake refund messages and phishing emails. See [scams in Japan](/life/safety/scams-japan-foreigners/).

More guides: [Credit cards for foreigners](/money/cards/credit-card-for-foreigners-japan/) · [Debit cards in Japan](/money/cards/debit-card-japan-foreigners/) · [Bank accounts for foreigners](/money/banking/bank-account-for-foreigners-japan/) · [My Number card](/life/admin/my-number-card-foreigners/)

## Questions people ask

### Can foreigners use PayPay?

Yes, if you have a Japanese mobile number that can receive SMS. PayPay does not accept overseas numbers. To link a bank account or withdraw money, you also need to pass its ID check with a residence card, My Number card or special permanent resident certificate.

### Can I verify PayPay with my passport?

No. PayPay says passports and health insurance cards can't be used for its ID check. Foreign residents with a limited period of stay use a residence card, a My Number card (chip reading or face check) or a special permanent resident certificate.

### Why does PayPay say my residence card number is wrong?

If your card was issued on or after 14 June 2026, PayPay can't accept it yet and shows the message '入力した番号に誤りがあります' (the number you entered is wrong). It says to use a My Number card instead. It hasn't said when it will accept the new cards.

### Is the PayPay app in English?

The App Store lists Japanese and English for the PayPay app. PayPay's help pages can be shown in English, but PayPay says that English text is AI machine translation.

### Can I use Suica on an Android phone from overseas?

Usually not. PASMO says Android phones bought outside Japan generally don't work with Mobile PASMO, and its Mobile PASMO support is in Japanese only. An iPhone 8 or later can add PASMO in Wallet, and an iPhone 7 or later can add Suica.

## Sources

- [PayPayを利用するときに必要なものが知りたい](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0032/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [アカウント登録の流れが知りたい](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0009/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [本人確認（eKYC）の手順](https://paypay.ne.jp/guide/auth/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [本人確認（eKYC）ができない](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0121/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [PayPayに登録できない](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0011/), PayPay (accessed Oct 25, 2026)
- [銀行口座からチャージしたい](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0040/), PayPay (accessed Oct 25, 2026)
- [海外でPayPayアプリを利用したい](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0419/), PayPay (accessed Oct 25, 2026)
- [在留期間満了日が過ぎた場合](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0275/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [PayPay残高（マネー、マネーライト）とPayPayポイントとは](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0048/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [銀行口座を登録（追加）したい](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0134/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [現金でチャージがしたい（セブン銀行ATM、ローソン銀行ATM）](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0087/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [PayPay残高を銀行口座に送金（払い出し）したい](https://paypay.ne.jp/help/c0042/), PayPay (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [PayPay (App Store listing)](https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/paypay/id1435783608), Apple App Store (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Add a transit card to Apple Wallet in Japan](https://support.apple.com/en-us/108772), Apple (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [What is PASMO?](https://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/), PASMO Co., Ltd. (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [Use PASMO Card](https://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/use/), PASMO Co., Ltd. (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [TOURIST PASMO](https://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/tourist-pasmo/), PASMO Co., Ltd. (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
- [2025年のキャッシュレス決済比率を算出しました](https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2025/03/20260331006/20260331006.html), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (経済産業省) (accessed Oct 24, 2026)