Summary of KYC Procedures, Required Documents, and Processing Times for RedotPay

Don’t Let KYC Be Your “First Hurdle”

When getting started with RedotPay, many people get stuck at the KYC (Know Your Customer) stage. This part often becomes the first hurdle, with concerns such as “I’m intimidated by the English interface,” “My document photos keep getting rejected,” or “I haven’t received a review response yet.”

But rest assured. RedotPay’s KYC process is handled by Sumsub, an independent platform widely used in the global crypto assets industry, and it fully supports Japanese identification documents. As long as you follow the steps and know the tips, you can complete the process in as little as a few minutes—though it typically takes 1–3 business days.

On this page, drawing on my own experience of successfully completing KYC multiple times, I’ve compiled all the necessary information—from how to choose the right documents and tips for taking photos, to how to recover if your application is rejected, and even how to upgrade to KYC2 (advanced identity verification).

Why is KYC Necessary?

Since RedotPay issues cards in partnership with Visa, identity verification is mandatory in accordance with AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing) regulations in each country. The platform is designed so that nearly all core functions—such as card issuance, transfers, and withdrawals—are unlocked only after KYC is completed.

For users, completing KYC also offers benefits. It provides advantages in both convenience and security, such as protecting your funds in the event of account takeover, increasing usage limits, and allowing you to skip identity verification when contacting support.

While some users may be concerned about sharing personal information, Sumsub operates in compliance with data protection regulations worldwide, including the EU’s GDPR, and is widely recognized as one of the most reliable KYC platforms in the crypto assets industry.

KYC Stages — KYC1 and KYC2

RedotPay’s identity verification process consists of two main stages.

KYC1 (Basic) is completed simply by submitting one form of identification and a photo of your face. This grants access to many basic functions (card issuance, payments, deposits, and small withdrawals), and KYC1 is sufficient for everyday use. I, the author, also manage my main accounts at the KYC1 level.

KYC2 (Advanced) requires the submission of additional documents, such as proof of address. This is necessary if you want to increase your daily transaction limits or ATM withdrawal limits. It’s worth upgrading to KYC2 if you want to consolidate high-value payments or frequently withdraw cash overseas.

The standard strategy is to “start by completing KYC1, then move on to KYC2 if necessary based on your usage patterns.” Aiming for KYC2 from the start involves a significant burden of preparing documents and can easily lead to giving up.

Documents Required for KYC1

For KYC1, you only need to prepare the following two items.

The first is a government-issued photo ID. Specifically, you can use a passport, driver’s license, or My Number Card (front side only). In my experience, passports seem to be accepted most easily, but driver’s licenses and My Number Cards are also accepted without issue.

The second is a photo of your face taken on the spot. You’ll take the photo using the app’s camera function, and a liveness check (to confirm you’re actually there) will be performed simultaneously.

Be sure to use an ID that is still valid and has clearly legible text. To be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid using an ID that is about to expire.

Additional Documents Required for KYC2

If you upgrade to KYC2, you’ll need to provide proof of address in addition to the items listed above. Specifically, the following documents are accepted:

• Utility bills (electricity, gas, water, or telecommunications) issued within the last 3 months
• Bank statement (mailed)
• Certificate of Residence
• Credit card statement (sent by mail)

Please note the following three requirements: “issued within the last 3 months,” “clearly states your home address,” and “matches your name.” While printed copies of digital statements are often accepted, the surest way to ensure acceptance is to submit the physical original document received by mail.

Tips for Photographing Documents — Avoid Shadows, Glare, and Blur

The top three reasons for KYC rejection are shadows, reflections, and blurry images. Simply avoiding these will dramatically increase your chances of passing on the first try.

Dealing with Shadows

Place your ID flat on a desk and take the photo from directly above, using natural light or a desk lamp to ensure even lighting. A common mistake when using a smartphone is having the shadow of your own head cast onto the document. Instead of shooting directly from above, position the camera at a slight angle to find a spot where the shadow is out of the frame.

Preventing Glare

Smartphone flashes often cause glare, so we generally recommend turning them off. Plastic driver’s licenses and My Number cards are particularly prone to glare, so be mindful of the light source’s position. Soft natural light near a window is ideal for photographing documents.

Preventing Blur

Hold your smartphone camera 15–20 cm away from the document and tap to focus on the text. Make sure the AF (autofocus) is locked onto the text before taking the photo.

Tips for the Face Photo Scan (Liveness Check)

The liveness check is a feature designed to verify that you are actually present, not just a photo. Follow the instructions and perform actions such as slowly moving your head from side to side or blinking.

Photography Environment

• Remove glasses, masks, sunglasses, and hats
• Use a white or light-colored wall as the background
• Position your entire face in the center of the screen
• Use natural light or even indoor lighting
• Make sure your hair isn’t covering your face

Tips for the Process

When instructed, move slowly and calmly. Shaking your head too quickly can cause recognition errors, which may result in you being asked to retake the video. Although the instructions are displayed in English, pictograms (visual cues) are also shown, so you can complete the process without any problems even if you’re not comfortable with English.

If you’re feeling anxious, having Google Translate ready on your smartphone will give you peace of mind, as it can instantly translate the English text on the screen into Japanese.

Estimated Review Time

According to the official announcement, processing “can take as little as a few minutes, but typically 1–3 business days.” In practice, the following scenarios are common:

• Same day, 5–30 minutes: Cases where the documents are of high quality and there are no issues with the address or name formatting
• 1–3 business days: Cases where document review follows the standard process
• 4–7 business days: Cases where additional documents were requested, or during peak periods
• 10 or more business days: Cases where the process is delayed due to some issue → We recommend contacting support

In my experience, having managed 4–5 accounts, more than half were approved on the same day. As long as you prepare your documents thoroughly, this is a stress-free process.

What to Do If Your Application Is Rejected

If your KYC application is rejected, you will be notified of the reason via Sumsub. Common reasons and how to address them are as follows:

Expired documents — Resubmit documents that are still valid.

Text illegible due to glare or shadows — Change the shooting environment and resubmit. Take the photo from directly above near a window with natural light, ensuring no shadows are cast on the document.

Mismatch between the name you entered and the name on your ID — In your account settings, correct the spelling so it exactly matches your ID. For Romanized names, transcribe the text exactly as it appears on your ID, including the presence or absence of spaces and the placement of hyphens.

Proof of address is too old — Only documents issued within the last 3 months are valid. Please request a new one or submit an alternative document.

Retry the liveness check — Change the lighting and background, remove your glasses, and take the photo again. Move slowly and follow the instructions.

You can resubmit as many times as needed through the same process. It’s not uncommon to have to resubmit 3–4 times, so don’t panic if your submission is rejected—just try again.

Things to Do After Passing KYC

Once you’ve passed KYC, complete the following settings to enhance your security.

• Be sure to enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Turn on all usage notifications
• Set your card’s daily and per-transaction spending limits to low amounts, and only increase them when necessary
• Store your recovery codes in a secure location for backup

These settings can be completed in as little as 5 minutes. “Feeling satisfied after passing KYC and putting off security settings” is the most dangerous pitfall when using crypto asset-related services. Those first 5 minutes can make a huge difference in your peace of mind going forward.

Summary — KYC Is Not the Final Goal, but a Stepping Stone

KYC is the gateway to using RedotPay, but it’s a simple process that takes just a few minutes if you prepare properly. As long as you focus on three key points—document clarity, consistent labeling, and lighting conditions—you’ll pass on the first try in most cases.

A few small adjustments when taking your photos can significantly reduce the hassle of having to resubmit them. To increase your chances of passing on the first try, please refer to the tips on this page and prepare thoroughly.

Once you’ve passed KYC, next check the process for card issuance and your first deposit, as well as the fee structure. Your full-fledged journey as a RedotPay user begins here.