[peterburkimsher]

New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category, Canada's Express Entry, and Australia's 186 & 187 visas are the focus of my hopes right now. Requirements are similar.

Even if I get an independent visa, I still need a job to pay for food and shelter. My current savings would only last about 2 months, far too short for the 5 years of residency to get citizenship there.

[amf12]

> My current savings would only last about 2 months, far too short for the 5 years of residency to get citizenship there.

Right, but this will help you get there legally first, which gets you through the first hurdle. Then you obviously need to find a job there.

[peterburkimsher]

During my travels I visited Japan for 2 months and the Netherlands for 1 month, moving there before finding a job.

It was an expensive mistake. Being physically present didn't help me at all, and companies still ignored my emails. Meanwhile I was busy trying to figure out how to eat, where to go to church, where to buy a bicycle, etc. so I had less available time to apply for jobs. Don't move before getting a job offer.