Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral 2026: Complete Guide for Foreigners in Japan — Get Up to 14,000 Points
Switching your mobile carrier in Japan can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating everything in a second language. But if you’re already considering Rakuten Mobile, there’s one detail that could make a real difference to your wallet: the employee referral campaign.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know — how many points you can earn, how the referral process actually works, common pitfalls to avoid, and why this route often beats the standard sign-up campaign. Whether you’re switching from a major carrier or signing up for a brand-new line, this is worth reading before you apply.
What Is the Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign?
Rakuten Mobile runs a standard “friend referral” program, but there’s a separate — and notably more generous — employee referral campaign. As the name suggests, it uses referral links shared by Rakuten employees, and the point rewards are higher than the normal campaign.
Here’s the quick comparison:
| Application Type | Normal Campaign | Employee Referral |
|---|---|---|
| MNP (carrier switch) | 13,000 points | 14,000 points |
| New number sign-up | Not specified / varies | 11,000 points |
That’s 1,000 extra points just for using the right link when doing an MNP transfer. Not a huge sum on its own, but for a plan that already costs ¥3,278 per month (tax included) for unlimited data, every point counts.
Who Is Eligible? (Including Re-Contracts and Additional Lines)
One of the biggest advantages of the employee referral campaign — and something many people miss — is its broader eligibility.
Standard Eligibility
- First-time Rakuten Mobile sign-ups
- MNP transfers from other carriers (au, SoftBank, docomo, UQ Mobile, etc.)
Employee Referral Exclusive Eligibility
This is where it gets interesting:
- ✅ Re-contracts (people who previously cancelled Rakuten Mobile)
- ✅ 2nd lines and additional lines (if you already have one Rakuten Mobile line)
These two categories are not available under the normal friend referral program. If you’re a returning customer or looking to add a second line for a family member, the employee referral is essentially your only route to getting the point bonus through a referral.
Note that each person can hold a maximum of 5 lines under their Rakuten Mobile account.
How Many Points Do You Get — And When?
Point Amounts
- MNP transfer via employee referral: 14,000 points
- New sign-up via employee referral: 11,000 points
When Are Points Paid?
Points are not paid all at once. They are distributed in three installments, starting four months after the month in which you logged in via the referral link.
For example, if you log in via the referral link in June 2026, your first installment would arrive in October 2026.
⚠️ Important: These Are “Limited-Period Points”
This is a critical detail that is easy to overlook. The points awarded through this campaign are “limited-period points” (期間限定ポイント), not regular Rakuten points.
Limited-period points expire sooner than regular points, and they cannot be accumulated indefinitely. Once they hit your account, you should plan to use them relatively quickly — for shopping on Rakuten Ichiba, paying Rakuten Mobile bills, or other eligible services.
Make a note in your calendar when to expect each installment, and have a plan for how you’ll use them before they expire.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply via Employee Referral
Step 1: Access the Referral URL
Use the employee referral link below to begin your application:
👉 Apply via Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral
This link must be accessed before or during your application process. Do not sign up through the regular Rakuten Mobile website first and then try to apply the referral retroactively — it won’t work.
Step 2: Log In or Create a Rakuten ID
If you already have a Rakuten ID (from Rakuten Ichiba shopping, Rakuten Bank, etc.), log in with that account. This ensures your referral points go to the correct account.
New to Rakuten entirely? You’ll create a Rakuten ID during the sign-up process.
Step 3: Choose Your Plan and SIM Type
Rakuten Mobile currently offers one main plan: ¥3,278/month (tax included) for completely unlimited data with no throttling, no matter how much you use. This is genuinely one of the most competitive unlimited plans available in Japan.
Choose whether you want a physical SIM or eSIM, and whether you’re doing an MNP transfer or a new number sign-up.
Step 4: Complete the Application
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your application. For MNP transfers, you’ll need your MNP reservation number from your current carrier, which you can typically obtain online or by phone.
Step 5: Make a Call via Rakuten Link App (Required from March 2, 2026)
This is a newer requirement that went into effect for applications from March 2, 2026 onwards.
To actually receive your points, you must make at least one phone call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app after activating your SIM. Simply having the SIM active is not enough.
⚠️ Data-only SIM holders are not eligible for this point campaign. You must have a voice SIM and complete the Rakuten Link call requirement.
After activation, download the Rakuten Link app, set it up, and make a short call to a friend, family member, or even a test number to fulfill this condition.
Step 6: Log In Within 7 Days If Needed
If for some reason you accessed the referral URL but didn’t complete your application in one session, don’t worry. There’s a “login rescue rule”: if you log in via the referral URL within 7 days of your application date, your referral will still be counted as valid.
Why Rakuten Mobile Makes Sense for Foreign Residents in Japan
If you’re researching the employee referral, you’re probably already fairly convinced about Rakuten Mobile — but here’s a quick summary of why it tends to work well for foreigners in Japan.
True Unlimited Data at a Fixed Price
At ¥3,278/month, you get genuinely unlimited data. There’s no speed cap after 20GB or 30GB. For people who rely heavily on data for navigation, streaming, or staying connected with family abroad, this is a significant advantage.
Rakuten Points Integration
If you already shop on Rakuten Ichiba, use Rakuten Pay, or have a Rakuten Card, your phone plan fits naturally into that ecosystem. Your points stack up faster, and you can use them across a wide range of services.
No Long-Term Contract Lock-In
You can cancel Rakuten Mobile at any time without a cancellation fee. For foreign residents whose plans in Japan might change — a job change, visa renewal uncertainty, or a possible move abroad — this flexibility is genuinely valuable.
For a more detailed look at how Rakuten Mobile compares with alternatives like povo2.0, check out this guide: povo2.0 vs Rakuten Mobile: Price, Top-Up, Points & Which Is Better for Foreign Residents in Japan [2026 Guide]
Common Questions from Foreign Residents
Can I apply with a foreign passport?
Yes. Rakuten Mobile accepts foreign passports as a form of ID for sign-up. You’ll also need a Japanese address and a payment method (credit/debit card or Rakuten Bank account).
What if I don’t have a Rakuten Card?
You don’t need a Rakuten Card to sign up for Rakuten Mobile. However, paying with a Rakuten Card does give you additional point multiplier benefits on Rakuten Ichiba, so it can be worth considering if you’re not already a cardholder.
Is Rakuten Mobile’s coverage good enough?
Coverage has improved significantly over the past few years. In urban areas (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, etc.) it’s generally solid. In rural areas, Rakuten Mobile now roams on au’s network at no extra cost, which fills in many of the coverage gaps.
If you’re concerned about coverage in your specific area, Rakuten Mobile’s website has a coverage checker tool, and you can also trial the service since there are no contract lock-in fees.
For a fuller look at the pros and cons — including honest coverage feedback from foreign residents — this article covers it well: Rakuten Mobile for Foreigners in Japan: Demerits, au Comparison & 2026 Complete Signup Guide
What about eSIM for dual SIM users?
Rakuten Mobile supports eSIM, which is great news if you want to run it alongside a physical SIM from another carrier or your home country. Many foreign residents in Japan use this dual-SIM approach to keep a local number while also maintaining access to their home country number.
Quick Summary: Employee Referral vs. Normal Campaign
| Feature | Normal Campaign | Employee Referral |
|---|---|---|
| MNP points | 13,000 pts | 14,000 pts |
| New sign-up points | Varies | 11,000 pts |
| Re-contracts eligible | ❌ | ✅ |
| Additional lines eligible | ❌ | ✅ |
| Point type | Limited-period | Limited-period |
| Installments | 3 times | 3 times |
| Call requirement (from Mar 2026) | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
Final Thoughts
The Rakuten Mobile employee referral campaign isn’t some secret hack — it’s a legitimate, official promotion. But it does offer meaningfully better terms than the standard campaign, especially if you’re a returning customer, want to add an additional line, or simply want to maximize your point return on an MNP transfer.
The main things to remember:
- Use the referral link before you apply
- Make a 10-second+ call via Rakuten Link after activation
- Plan to use your limited-period points before they expire
If you’re ready to apply, use the employee referral link here:
It takes just a few minutes to get started, and for a plan that’s already competitively priced at ¥3,278/month for unlimited data, getting up to 14,000 bonus points is a genuinely good deal.