[quantumofalpha]

> meaning I would need sponsorship for an H-1b work visa

There's your problem. H1B is just such a difficult and lengthy process today. Even for experienced candidates - I have a decade yoe at faangs, still couldn't crack it recently. And in your position, without experience and a degree, yes you're just wasting time.

You have to apply for H1B in March for a sub-30% chance (it's a heavily oversubscribed lottery) that you might get to start in October. Few companies are willing to go through it to import brand new overseas talent. Most just sponsor people already having permission to work somehow (H1B transfer from another co, F1 OPT, L1, through spouse etc) to retain them in the states.

Some alternatives of what you could do:

  * Go study in europe on the cheap. An undergrad degree is not a must for programmers, but still a very important piece of paper that you need to open doors later in your career. It's actually even a requirement for H1B: degree or 12+ yoe.
  * Go for masters afterwards in the US, not cheap but you can stay work for 3 years on STEM OPT and no lottery involved as with H1B.
  * Work for at least a year for an american company in europe, then you can transfer to the states on L1, lottery free.
  * Go to Canada, they can issue you a passport in 3 years with which you can come work in the states on TN visa, also lottery free.
  * Find second half with the right type of passport / visa that allows you to work in the states...