事前審査 (Jizen Shinsa) – Preliminary Loan Screening in Japan

事前審査 (Jizen Shinsa) refers to the preliminary screening or pre-approval process that a bank conducts before the formal housing loan application.

What Is It?

  • A non-binding pre-check to assess whether you're likely to qualify for a home loan.

  • Typically done before signing a property purchase contract.

  • Helps buyers understand how much they can borrow and from which banks.

What You Need to Submit

Basic documents only — usually:

  • Proof of identity (passport & residence card)

  • Income proof (e.g. tax withholding slip / 源泉徴収票)

  • Employment certificate or contract

  • Property information (if already selected)

How Long Does It Take?

  • Usually 2 to 7 business days

  • Some banks offer same-day or online results (e.g., SBI Shinsei, ARUHI)

Benefits of Jizen Shinsa

  • Gives you leverage in negotiations (you’re pre-approved)

  • Lets you identify potential issues early (e.g., credit problems)

  • Makes the process smoother and faster when you move to formal application

Important Notes

  • Approval in Jizen Shinsa does not guarantee full loan approval.

  • You still need to pass 本審査 (Hon Shinsa) – the formal screening – after signing the property contract.