Rakuten referral points only help when the referral login, resident line, and Link-use checks all line up.

Start with the phone-number decision

The campaign is attractive, but it is not a visitor data shortcut. Treat it as a final layer after deciding that a resident-style Rakuten Mobile line solves a real Japan problem.

• Good fit: foreign residents, students, workers, and long-stay users who need a Japanese mobile number for calls, carrier SMS, housing, school, work, delivery, banking, or account recovery.
• Weak fit: short-stay visitors who only need maps, translation, hotel apps, messaging, and web. Start with the data-only eSIM guide or the before-arrival checklist instead.
• If English help, shop support, and Rakuten Link calls are part of the decision, compare this with the Rakuten Mobile resident support guide before opening a referral link.

What the official campaign says now

The live referral page and Rakuten Mobile campaign list checked on 2026-06-18 still surface the referral campaign. The detail page shows 7,000 points for the person referring and up to 13,000 points for a referred MNP user, with new-number applications shown at 10,000 points.

• The official page says the displayed campaign information is current as of 2026-06-01, but Rakuten can change or end campaign conditions, so recheck on the application day.
• The referred user needs to follow the campaign route and login flow. The Rakuten ID used for the referral path should match the application path instead of switching accounts midway.
• Do not count the points as an instant discount. The campaign explains later point delivery and conditions, so treat the reward as conditional value after the line is opened and judged eligible.

Do not miss the exclusions

The easiest mistake is assuming every Rakuten Mobile application earns the same points. The official terms narrow the route, plan type, Link use, and campaign stacking.

• Rakuten's referral page excludes the Rakuten Saikyo Plan data type from the referred-user benefit, so a data-only path should not be chosen just to chase referral value.
• Rakuten Link use is part of the campaign flow. If you cannot install, verify, or use Rakuten Link under the required conditions, pause before counting the points.
• Some other campaigns cannot be combined with this referral route. If a phone deal, first-application offer, or family campaign looks better, compare the official stacking notes before choosing a path.

Clear identity and payment before chasing points

For foreign residents, the practical risk is not only reward eligibility. A mismatched name, old address, expiring document, or payment problem can break the application before points matter.

• Rakuten Mobile's identity-document page says application details must match the submitted identity documents, and applications can fail or be cancelled when information or uploads are deficient.
• Check your name order, middle name, address, document validity, payment method, eSIM support, and Wi-Fi for setup before using the referral link.
• If you are still deciding between Rakuten Mobile, ahamo, LINEMO, and povo, use the plan comparison first. The campaign should not hide coverage, support, or monthly cost tradeoffs.

A safer order before applying

Use the referral link only after the base decision is stable. That keeps the reward from pulling you into the wrong product or an application route you cannot finish.

• First, decide whether you need a resident phone-number plan or only travel data. Data-only products cannot solve normal carrier SMS, bank, school, work, or housing tasks.
• Second, confirm Rakuten Mobile fit: Japanese number need, Rakuten Link, documents, payment, compatible phone, eSIM/SIM choice, address, and support route.
• Finally, reopen the official referral page on the day you apply. Use the referral page only when the current official terms still match your contract type and campaign route.