Job Discussion Forums

[Boeing764]

Hi, I have a Japanese girlfriend who lives in Tokyo. I want to take our relationship to the next level which means I have to move to Japan for a year or more. I have Canadian and British citizenship but unfortunately I'm over 30 so I can't get a Working Holiday visa and I don't have a degree. Does anybody know any other way I can live and work in Japan? Thanks.

[PAULH]

Boeing

with no degree and over 30 your only way of working in Japan is to get a spouse visa by marrying the girl. A Canadian over 30 requires a degree to get a work visa from immigration. Girlfriends dont count and its unlikely she can sponsor your visa. You can do any kind of work on a spouse visa, including teaching English or starting your own business.

A student visa will allow you to work part time to support your living expenses but you can not work full-time on a student visa.

PS with no degree and no way of working legally in the country its unlikely she would consider you as a viable marriage prospect anyway.

[PAULH]

I forgot to mention that the above only applies if you want to get a visa allowing you to work as an English etacher at a conversation school. If you have a recognised skill that the Japanese need and seek, you have relevant experience in that field and/or recognised qualifications e.g. a web engineer, a graphic designer etc, AND you can find a sponsor for your visa eg humanities scientist etc then I say it MAY be possible. However with little or no fluency in Japanese and I mean FLUENT) or lack any of the above, I would say you have a snowballs chance of getting a suitable work visa.

[Boeing764]

Thanks, I was afraid of that. I'd love to marry her but I want to spend some time living at close quarters to her first. But alas I guess that's alot easier said than done.