Can Foreigners Open a NISA Account in Japan? [2026 Guide]

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Are you a foreign resident in Japan wondering if you can open a NISA account? The short answer is yes — and it is one of the best financial decisions you can make while living in Japan. This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what documents you need, which brokers accept foreigners, and what happens to your account when you leave Japan.

What is NISA?

NISA (Nippon Individual Savings Account) is Japan’s government-backed tax-free investment account. It is similar to the UK ISA or the US Roth IRA. Any capital gains or dividends earned within a NISA account are completely exempt from Japan’s standard 20.315% investment tax.

The current NISA system, reformed in January 2024, offers two investment tracks within a single account:

TrackAnnual LimitBest For
Tsumitate (積立投資枠)1.2 million yenMonthly index fund investing
Growth (成長投資枠)2.4 million yenIndividual stocks, ETFs, active funds
Combined Total3.6 million yen/yearLifetime limit: 18 million yen

Unlike the old NISA system, the 2024 reform made the tax exemption permanent — there is no expiry date on your tax-free gains.

Can Foreigners Open a NISA Account?

Yes. Nationality does not matter. Any legal resident of Japan can open a NISA account, regardless of citizenship or country of origin. The key requirement is that you hold a valid residence status in Japan — not that you are Japanese.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To open a NISA account in Japan as a foreigner, you must meet all of the following:

  • Valid residence card (在留カード)
  • My Number card or My Number notification letter (通知カード)
  • A Japanese bank account in your name
  • Age 18 or older
  • Currently residing in Japan

Eligibility by Visa Type

Your visa type affects whether you can open a NISA account. Here is a breakdown:

Visa TypeNISA Eligible?Notes
Work visa (就労ビザ)✅ YesEngineer, specialist, skilled worker, etc.
Spouse visa (配偶者ビザ)✅ YesSpouse of Japanese national or permanent resident
Permanent residency (永住者)✅ YesNo restrictions
Long-term resident (定住者)✅ YesIncluding Nikkei visa holders
Student visa (留学)⚠️ Usually YesMust have My Number and Japanese bank account
Tourist visa / Short-stay❌ NoNot eligible — no residence card issued
Diplomat visa❌ NoExempt from Japanese tax jurisdiction

Special Case: US Citizens and FATCA

If you are a US citizen or Green Card holder, most Japanese brokers — including Rakuten Securities and SBI Securities — will not open a NISA account for you. This is due to FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), a US law that requires foreign financial institutions to report accounts held by US persons to the IRS. The compliance burden is significant, and most Japanese brokers have chosen not to accept US clients rather than deal with it.

The recommended option for US citizens living in Japan is Interactive Brokers Japan. It is fully FATCA-compliant, offers a full English interface, and allows US citizens to invest in Japanese and US markets from a single account.

Which Brokers Accept Foreign Residents?

BrokerEnglish SupportForeigners OKUS CitizensOnline Application
Rakuten SecuritiesPartial✅ Yes❌ No✅ Yes
SBI SecuritiesPartial✅ Yes❌ No✅ Yes
Interactive Brokers Japan✅ Full English✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes

For most non-US foreigners, Rakuten Securities and SBI Securities are the most popular choices due to their zero-commission trading and wide range of index funds available for NISA.

What Happens to Your NISA Account When You Leave Japan?

This is one of the most common questions from foreign residents. Here is what you need to know:

  • When you leave Japan and lose your resident status, you must notify your broker within the same year of departure.
  • You can generally keep your existing NISA holdings, but you cannot make new contributions after leaving Japan.
  • Your existing tax-free holdings remain tax-free in Japan — however, your home country may tax the gains depending on its own rules.
  • If you return to Japan and re-register as a resident, you can resume contributions.

Rules can vary by broker and may change, so always check directly with your broker before departing Japan.

Why Open a NISA Account in Japan?

Even if you plan to return to your home country eventually, the years you spend in Japan are a valuable opportunity to grow your wealth tax-free. Investment gains inside NISA are not subject to Japan’s 20.315% tax on capital gains and dividends — every yen of profit stays with you.

For a foreigner on a multi-year work assignment or a long-term resident, starting NISA early means more years of compounding growth in a tax-free environment. The 18 million yen lifetime limit is generous enough to cover a meaningful portion of a retirement portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a NISA account if I just arrived in Japan?
Yes, as long as you have your residence card and My Number. Some brokers may require your address to be registered with the local municipal office first, which usually takes a few weeks after arrival.

Do I need to speak Japanese to open a NISA account?
The application process at Rakuten and SBI is in Japanese, but tools like Google Translate or DeepL can help you navigate the steps. Interactive Brokers Japan offers a fully English application.

Can I have NISA accounts at multiple brokers?
No. Japanese law allows only one NISA account per person at any given time. You can switch brokers once per year if needed.

Is the money in my NISA safe?
Investments in NISA are market-based and carry investment risk — they are not guaranteed deposits. However, securities held in NISA are protected up to 10 million yen per person under Japan’s Investor Protection Fund in the event of broker insolvency.

Next Steps

Ready to open your NISA account? These guides will walk you through the next steps:

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you open an account through our links, at no extra cost to you.

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