Australian over 30 - live/work in Japan

I am 34 years old and I would like to work/live in Japan as my boyfriend lives here, I am over 30 so the typical holiday visa is out of the question, does anyone know of how I can live/work in Japan legally being 34?

Tracy,

This is a frequently-asked question which has been answered many times before in this forum, so I would suggest trawling back through the archives.
If you have a university degree or extensive experience in a specific job field, you qualify for a work visa.
If you were to enrol in a language school or similar in Japan, you would qualify for a student visa and would be allowed to do part time work after a certain time has elapsed.
If your boyfriend is Japanese and you marry, you would qualify for a spouse visa, which lets you work without restriction. If he is not Japanese and you marry, you would qualify for a dependent visa, which I don't think lets you work.
I think these are basically all your available options.

Thanks Dave, I do not have any degrees or specialise in a specific area, my boyfriend is in the US Military so my situation is kind of outside of the box, but I will go through archives as you have suggested to do, thanks again

your boyfriend is in the US military. Why didn't you say that in the first place and save us all some trouble? Of course you can have a visa.

your boyfriend is in the US military. Why didn't you say that in the first place and save us all some trouble? Of course you can have a visa.

Her boyfriend being in the US military has no bearing on her ability to get a visa, and is completely unimportant unless they get married in which case she can enter under SOFA status.

Tracy, your situation is not at all unusual. You will need to get a visa on your own. Since you want to work (and I'm assuming full time work) then you need to get a work visa. That would require a job in Japan that will sponsor your visa.

See this page on immigration:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2221.html

All though I apreciate people helping me out Joseph your comment was out of line as yllwsmrf said my boyfriend being in the US Military has no bearing on my staying here unless we are married which we are not. I was asking about myself only, but for me to get a working visa or sponsored for one I have to be under 30..

but for me to get a working visa or sponsored for one I have to be under 30

Tracy, being under 30 is a requirement for the Working Holiday Visa only. If you have a bachelor's degree or many years experience in a job then you can qualify for a work visa granted you can find a job in Japan to sponsor you.

I dont have any qualifications or degrees :(

Tracy,
You should keep an eye on this thread as it seems similar to your situation:

http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+46820

Hi Tracy, yep it does appear we are in the same boat and it looks like because we are over 30 there is no way to work here and live here. Like you I will keep you posted if I come up with anything, good luck to you and yllwsmrf thanks for all your help!

how bout studying and getting a student visa? not sure if this is possible, but just a suggestion.

Hi Julie, thanks for the suggestion about studying in Japan, if anyone has any suggestions of websites, costs involved or if there is a age limit please let me know.