The Welcome Suica IC card itelf is free. The money you pay will all be transferred to digital money. Cards can be purchased from a minimum of 1,000 yen to 10,000 yen and can be recharged up to a maximum of 20,000 yen. You can recharge your card at JR Automatic Ticket Vending Machines.

In 2026, the Welcome Suica card (the red, tourist-specific version of Japan's IC card) costs exactly what you choose to load onto it, as there is no 500 yen deposit required. You can purchase the card at dedicated "Welcome Suica" machines at Narita or Haneda airports with initial values typically starting at 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 4,000 yen, 5,000 yen, or 10,000 yen. Unlike the regular green Suica cards which require a 500 yen deposit that you can get back later, the Welcome Suica is designed for convenience; you don't have to worry about returning it at the end of your trip. However, there is a catch: the card is only valid for 28 days from the date of first use, and any balance remaining on the card after that period (or when you leave Japan) is non-refundable. Because of this, travelers are encouraged to use their remaining balance at airport convenience stores or vending machines before they fly home. In early 2026, JR East also expanded the "Mobile Welcome Suica" for iPhone users, which allows you to bypass the physical card entirely and load funds via Apple Pay for free, though the 28-day expiration rule still applies to the digital version.