![Rakuten Mobile Points Not Received? [2026 Guide] Reasons, How to Check & Solutions for Foreign Residents in Japan](/assets/ogp/2026-05-30-rakuten-point-not-received.png)
Rakuten Mobile Points Not Received? Here’s What’s Actually Happening
You signed up for Rakuten Mobile through a referral link, waited patiently for your points — and then nothing showed up. Or maybe you received fewer points than expected. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Point-related confusion is one of the most common complaints among new Rakuten Mobile users, especially foreign residents who may be navigating the system in a second language.
This guide breaks down the most common reasons why Rakuten Mobile points are not received or credited, how to check your point status, and what steps you can take to resolve the issue.
First: Understanding How Rakuten Mobile Points Work
Before troubleshooting, it helps to understand exactly how points are supposed to be distributed — because the system is more complicated than most users expect.
Point Amounts by Application Type
If you apply through the employee referral link (like this one), here’s what you’re entitled to:
| Application Type | Points via Employee Referral |
|---|---|
| MNP (number portability from another carrier) | 14,000 points |
| New number signup | 11,000 points |
For comparison, the standard public campaign currently offers 13,000 points for MNP — meaning the employee referral gives you 1,000 extra points on top of the normal campaign. For new signups without MNP, the referral bonus makes a significant difference as well.
Points Are Paid in 3 Installments — Starting 4 Months Later
This is where many users get confused. Your points are not credited all at once. They are distributed in 3 separate installments, and the first installment doesn’t arrive until 4 months after the month in which you logged in via the referral URL.
For example: If you clicked the referral link and logged in during January, your first installment would arrive in May at the earliest. The remaining installments follow in subsequent months.
This delay alone accounts for a huge portion of “my points didn’t come” reports. Many users simply haven’t waited long enough.
Points Are Limited-Period Points — Use Them Quickly
This is a critical detail that often gets overlooked. The points awarded through Rakuten Mobile campaigns are “limited-period points” (期間限定ポイント), not regular Rakuten points. Limited-period points have a shorter expiry window, so once they arrive in your account, you should use them promptly. They cannot be transferred, cashed out, or held indefinitely like regular points.
You can use limited-period points for purchases on Rakuten Ichiba (Rakuten’s online shopping mall), Rakuten Pay at convenience stores and supermarkets, and various other Rakuten services — but don’t let them sit unused, or you’ll lose them.
Common Reasons Why Points Are Not Received
If you’ve waited long enough and your points still haven’t arrived, here are the most likely explanations:
1. You Didn’t Log In Via the Referral URL Before Applying
This is the single most common mistake. To qualify for the employee referral bonus, you must click the referral URL and log into your Rakuten account before completing your Rakuten Mobile application. Simply visiting the page is not enough — the system needs to register your login session through that specific link.
There is a rescue rule: if you applied first and then logged in via the referral URL within 7 days of your application, it still counts. But if you missed that 7-day window, the referral link can no longer be applied retroactively.
2. You Applied for a Data-Only SIM
As of applications made from March 2, 2026, there is an important new requirement: you must make at least one phone call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app to receive your points. Data-only SIM plans are not eligible for the referral point campaign.
If you signed up for a data-only SIM, your application will not qualify — regardless of whether you used the referral link.
3. You’re Looking in the Wrong Point Category
Because the points are limited-period points, they appear in a separate section of your Rakuten account compared to regular points. If you’re checking your point balance and not seeing anything, make sure you’re looking at both regular and limited-period point categories in your Rakuten account dashboard.
4. You Haven’t Met the Minimum Usage Period
Some campaigns require you to maintain an active line for a certain period. If you cancel your plan or switch before the installments are fully distributed, you may forfeit remaining points.
5. Campaign Eligibility Wasn’t Met at the Time of Application
Campaigns have specific terms that must be met at the moment of application. If the referral campaign had already ended, if you applied under a different promotion, or if your account had a previous Rakuten Mobile contract that excluded you from the new-user criteria, points may not be awarded.
Who Is Eligible? (Including Re-Contracts and Additional Lines)
One often-overlooked advantage of the employee referral campaign (compared to regular friend referrals) is its broader eligibility:
- Re-contracts (former Rakuten Mobile users who canceled and are signing up again) are eligible
- 2nd or additional lines on the same account are eligible
- Up to 5 lines per person can receive the referral bonus
This is an employee referral exclusive benefit — it is not available under the normal friend referral program. So if you previously had Rakuten Mobile and are thinking of returning, or if you want to add a second line for a family member, you can still benefit from the referral.
For a full walkthrough on how to apply through the employee referral link step by step, check out this detailed guide: Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral 2026: Complete Guide for Foreigners in Japan — Get Up to 14,000 Points
How to Check Your Point Status
Step 1: Log Into Your Rakuten Account
Go to Rakuten.co.jp and log in using the same account you used when you applied for Rakuten Mobile.
Step 2: Go to Point History
Navigate to My Rakuten → Point Club (ポイントクラブ) → Point History (ポイント履歴). Here you can see all points that have been credited to your account, including limited-period points.
Step 3: Check the Rakuten Mobile My Page
Log into the Rakuten Mobile My Page (my.rakuten.co.jp) with your account. There is often a campaign status section that shows whether your application was registered under a specific promotion and whether points are scheduled to be issued.
Step 4: Check the Campaign Detail Page
Search for the specific campaign in the Rakuten Mobile campaign list. Campaign pages often show your eligibility status and an estimated payout schedule.
What to Do If Points Still Haven’t Arrived
Contact Rakuten Mobile Support
If you’ve confirmed that you meet all eligibility requirements, waited the appropriate amount of time (remember: at least 4 months after the referral login month), and still have not received your points, contact Rakuten Mobile customer support.
You can reach them via:
- Chat support on the Rakuten Mobile website (available in Japanese; some support for English)
- Rakuten Link app — tap the support icon within the app
When contacting support, have the following ready:
- Your Rakuten account ID
- The date you applied
- The referral URL you used (or the referral ID if you have it)
- Screenshot of your application confirmation email
Be Specific in Your Inquiry
Instead of saying “I didn’t get my points,” explain the full timeline: when you clicked the referral link, when you applied, when you activated the SIM, and when you made your first Rakuten Link call (if applicable). The more detail you provide, the faster the issue can be investigated.
Rakuten Mobile Plan Details (2026)
For reference, here are the current plan basics for Rakuten Mobile:
- Monthly fee: ¥3,278 (tax included)
- Data: Unlimited in Japan (on Rakuten’s network; some speed limits apply on partner networks)
- Calls: Free domestic calls via the Rakuten Link app
- Contracts: No lock-in period
If you’re still comparing options and haven’t switched yet, you might also find it useful to read povo2.0 vs Rakuten Mobile: Price, Top-Up, Points & Which Is Better for Foreign Residents in Japan — a side-by-side comparison of both plans that’s especially helpful for foreign residents.
Quick Summary: Points Not Received Checklist
Use this checklist to diagnose your situation:
- Did you log in via the referral URL before applying (or within 7 days after)?
- Did you apply for a voice SIM (not data-only)?
- For applications from March 2, 2026: Did you make a Rakuten Link call of 10+ seconds?
- Has it been at least 4 months since your referral login month?
- Are you checking limited-period points (not just regular points)?
- Is your line still active (not canceled)?
- Was your application eligible (new signup, MNP, re-contract, or additional line)?
If you can check all boxes but still have no points, contact support with your application details.
Ready to Apply? Use the Employee Referral Link
If you haven’t signed up yet and you’re considering Rakuten Mobile, using an employee referral link is the smartest way to maximize your points. The referral gives you 14,000 points for MNP or 11,000 points for a new signup — 1,000 more than the standard public campaign for MNP, and with broader eligibility including re-contracts and additional lines.
You can apply through the employee referral link here: 👉 https://r10.to/henTIE
Just make sure to log into your Rakuten account through this link before completing your application, make your first Rakuten Link call of at least 10 seconds after activation, and keep an eye out for your point installments starting about 4 months later. And when those limited-period points arrive — use them before they expire.