GoRemit Shinsei Bank International Transfer Guide: What Expats Need to Know

If you searched for "GoRemit Shinsei Bank transfer guide," you're likely an expat in Japan looking to send money home. This guide covers everything you need to know about GoRemit — what it was, how it worked, and what you should use now that the service has been discontinued. Whether you're just starting your Japan banking journey or are a long-term resident updating your remittance strategy, this article has you covered.

For a broader look at your banking options, see our Complete Guide to Banking and Finance in Japan and The Complete Guide to Sending Money from Japan.

What Was GoRemit? A Service Made for Expats

GoRemit was the international money transfer service offered by Shinsei Bank (now SBI Shinsei Bank), specifically designed to help foreign residents in Japan send money overseas. For over a decade, it was one of the most foreigner-friendly remittance options available, offering:

• English-language support throughout the registration and transfer process
• No requirement to hold a Shinsei Bank account — you simply used a standard domestic bank transfer (furikomi) to fund your remittance
• Coverage of 170+ countries in both Japanese yen and 12 foreign currencies
• A simple, flat fee structure that made costs predictable

The service was especially popular among ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers), engineers, and other expats who valued its accessibility and English support at a time when most Japanese bank services were available in Japanese only.

Important Update (2025): GoRemit Overseas Remittance Service was officially discontinued on October 20, 2025. If you are currently using GoRemit, you will need to switch to a new service. See the section below on the best current alternatives.

How GoRemit Worked: The Step-by-Step Process

Before its discontinuation, GoRemit operated differently from most bank transfer services. Understanding how it worked helps explain why it was so popular — and why finding the right replacement matters.

Registration Process

1. Complete the online application at the GoRemit website (in English)
2. Mail physical copies of your ID documents, including your residence card (Zairyu Card) and a recent utility bill or bank receipt as proof of address
3. Wait 7–10 business days for your welcome pack to arrive by post
4. Receive your B-link number, a unique ID that activates your account and allows you to initiate transfers
5. Fund transfers via furikomi (domestic bank transfer) from any Japanese bank or ATM to GoRemit's designated account

One of the most useful features was the English-language letter included in the welcome pack. This letter explained the GoRemit furikomi process in Japanese, so you could show it to a bank teller if you needed help with the transfer — eliminating the language barrier at the branch level.

Who Was Eligible?

GoRemit was available to any resident of Japan aged 20 or over, regardless of nationality. You did not need to be a Japanese citizen or hold a specific visa type, making it accessible to most working expats.

GoRemit Fee Structure and Exchange Rates

Understanding the true cost of GoRemit required looking beyond just the headline fee. Here's a full breakdown of what users were charged:

The flat ¥2,000 fee made GoRemit cost-effective for larger transfers (sending ¥100,000+ made the fee proportionally small), but the TTS exchange rate markup meant the total cost was always higher than advertised. The intermediary bank fees were particularly frustrating for users — these were deducted from the transfer amount and not always clearly disclosed upfront.

Transfer speed: Funds typically arrived in the recipient's account within 1–3 business days, though international banking delays or local processing times in the destination country could extend this.

Why GoRemit Was Discontinued

SBI Group, which acquired Shinsei Bank and rebranded it as SBI Shinsei Bank, decided to consolidate its international transfer services. Rather than running two parallel remittance operations, SBI Group directed all overseas remittances through SBI Remit, its dedicated money transfer subsidiary.

The discontinuation date was October 20, 2025. Existing GoRemit customers were notified and encouraged to register with SBI Remit to continue sending money abroad without interruption.

This transition reflects a broader trend in Japan's financial sector: banks increasingly partnering with or spinning off specialized fintech arms to handle international remittances more efficiently.

SBI Remit: The Official GoRemit Replacement

SBI Remit is the natural successor for former GoRemit users. As an SBI Group company, it benefits from the same institutional backing as SBI Shinsei Bank, with some improvements in the transfer process.

Key features of SBI Remit:

• Online registration and account management
• Competitive rates for major remittance corridors
• Supports transfers to many of the same countries GoRemit covered
• Available to foreign residents of Japan

To get started with SBI Remit, visit the SBI Remit Japan International Transfer Guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of registration and your first transfer.

Best GoRemit Alternatives for Expats in 2026

If you're looking for the best remittance option now that GoRemit is gone, here are your top choices:

Wise (formerly TransferWise) has become the go-to recommendation for most expats in Japan after GoRemit's discontinuation. It uses the mid-market exchange rate (no markup) and charges a transparent percentage fee, typically making it cheaper than any bank-based service for most transfer amounts and destinations.

See our detailed comparison: Wise TransferWise Japan Complete User Guide and Comparing Money Transfer Services Available in Japan.

How to Choose the Right International Transfer Service

With GoRemit gone, the right service depends on your specific needs:

If You Send Large Amounts Infrequently

Bank wire transfer may be appropriate. The higher fees hurt less when spread over a large amount, and banks offer SWIFT-based transfers with strong reliability. Read: Bank Wire Transfer from Japan Step by Step Guide.

If You Send Regular Monthly Remittances

Wise or SBI Remit will save you the most money over time. Wise's percentage-based fee and mid-market rate make it especially cost-effective for regular transfers of ¥50,000–¥300,000.

If You Value Convenience Over Cost

Japan Post Bank (yucho bank) is widely accessible and allows international transfers. However, it is not the cheapest option. See: Japan Post International Money Transfer Guide.

If You're Leaving Japan

If you're transferring all your savings before departure, consider timing and tax implications. Read: Transferring Money Out of Japan Before You Leave.

Setting Up Your New Transfer Service: What You'll Need

Regardless of which service you choose, you'll typically need the following documents:

• Residence Card (Zairyu Card) — your primary identification as a foreign resident
• My Number (Individual Number) — required for financial services in Japan since 2016
• Recipient's bank details — IBAN or account number, SWIFT/BIC code, and full bank address
• Proof of funding source — some services may request pay slips or a bank statement for large transfers

If you haven't yet opened a Japanese bank account, that's the essential first step. See: How to Open a Bank Account in Japan as a Foreigner and Best Banks in Japan for Foreign Residents Compared.

Tips to Minimize International Transfer Costs

Even with the best service, fees add up. Here are practical ways to reduce what you pay:

1. Consolidate transfers — sending one large transfer per month is cheaper than multiple small ones
2. Check the exchange rate timing — rates fluctuate daily; set rate alerts on Wise or SBI Remit
3. Use the mid-market rate as your baseline — compare any quoted rate against Google's live rate to see the markup
4. Avoid weekends and holidays — exchange rates can be less favorable and delays more likely
5. Watch for fee waivers — some services offer first-transfer-free promotions for new users
6. Understand intermediary bank fees — for SWIFT transfers, always ask if fees will be deducted "SHA" (shared), "OUR" (sender pays all), or "BEN" (recipient pays all)

For a full cost breakdown, see our Money Transfer Fees from Japan Complete Comparison and Best Ways to Send Money from Japan Compared.

GoRemit vs. SBI Remit vs. Wise: Which Saved More?

To give a concrete example, let's compare a ¥100,000 transfer to the United States under the old GoRemit system versus current alternatives:

Amounts are approximate and based on a 150 JPY/USD rate for illustration purposes. Actual amounts vary by date and destination.

This comparison makes clear why Wise has gained popularity — the combination of a transparent fee and no exchange rate markup consistently outperforms traditional bank services for amounts under ¥500,000.

External Resources for More Information

For deeper research on your options:

• Living in Nihon: Banking and Financial Services Guide for Foreigners — comprehensive guide covering bank accounts, transfers, and credit cards in Japan
• GaijinPot: Sending Money Home With Shinsei GoRemit — the original user guide for GoRemit (archived for historical reference)
• SBI Shinsei Bank Official GoRemit Page — official discontinuation notice and SBI Remit transition information
• For Work in Japan — resources for foreign workers in Japan including financial guidance
• Ittenshoku.com — IT career and financial planning resources for foreigners in Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use GoRemit? No. GoRemit was discontinued on October 20, 2025. All remittances must now be made through alternative services such as SBI Remit, Wise, or other providers.

What happened to my GoRemit registration? GoRemit accounts are no longer active. You will need to register separately with SBI Remit or your chosen alternative service.

Is SBI Remit the same as GoRemit? No, but SBI Remit is the officially recommended replacement. It is operated by a separate SBI Group company and requires its own registration process.

Do I need a Shinsei Bank account to use SBI Remit? No. Like GoRemit before it, SBI Remit accepts funding from any Japanese bank account via standard transfer.

What is the cheapest way to send money from Japan? For most expats, Wise offers the lowest total cost due to its mid-market exchange rate and transparent percentage-based fees. Compare options at Comparing Money Transfer Services Available in Japan.