Seeking advice and options. Can anyone help?

[Phil]

Hello there,



My name is Phil, I'm 29 years old, and I'm a British national living in England. Here is my situation:

My fiancee is a Japanese national living in Japan, and I am trying to find information on how to, obviously, be with my fiancee and live and work in Japan. Does anyone have any advice?



I am educated to A level standard.

Have 1 years experience of working in a publications department, and 9 years experience in an accounts department.

I'm an artist, so my creative skills are strong.

And I am learning Japanese. I have basic conversations skills, can read and write Hiragana and Katakana, and I'm now learning Kanji (I have knowledge of about 100 at the moment).



However, I don't have a university degree. From research I have done so far, it seems as if a degree is a requirement to be granted a working visa from the Japanese government. Is this true? If so, are there any other options available?

Is it possible for me to live with my fiancee in Japan, and work, without a degree?

I am quite prepared to go to university, for four years, to study for a degree. However, I am just hoping for advice on what options would be available to me without one.



Thank you for taking the time to read this, and many thanks in advance for any advice you can give.



Phil

[Joe]

Answer seems simple (from an outsiders perspective anyway). Since she is your fiancee and you plan on getting married anyway, why not save yourself a lot of time and agony and get married. You will definitely be able to find work once you get to Japan. It seems like a lot happier, saner, and cost-effective way to go!

[Carl]

Unlike Australia and some other countries out there that offer "fiance visas", you're out-of-luck in Japan. If you don't get married (contrary to the advice of Joe!!), your best best is a working visa, and for that you'll need to have a university degree- and that means either going through a uni program to get it (online unis offer degrees now too) or taking a trip to Bangkok, Pat Pong, where "university degrees" are sold on the streets for $10! (only half joking here.....)



Carl