[phillmv]

People here are predominantly American or European, which means they already have good visas and even if they don't live in a big city with lots of computer industry jobs they can at least move there.

This is probably not how it works where you're currently living. Without an engineering degree or a lot of money, it will be really hard for you to emigrate to North America or Europe.

Your life is not ruined, in so far that you can probably still get a job in your current country.

I don't know about your education system, but can't you retake the university entrance examinations?

To my knowledge, that's usually possible in most countries. Quit design school, study for the exams, and apply again. You'll lose a year, but that's better than being shut out of the rich country emigration stream.

Ideally, if your parents can afford it, study abroad. Here in Canada, for instance, it's easier to attain permanent residency if you went to school here.

Good luck,

[yen223]

Harsh reality: most immigration departments don't give a shit about your Github profile or your open-source cred. They do care if you have a relevant degree.

It's going to be an uphill battle if you want to find work in a first-world country without a degree. Not saying it's impossible, mind you.

[phillmv]

It's an uphill battle if you have a degree. It's an uphill battle to get to N. America from the EU and vice-versa, let alone N. Africa.

Anyone commenting here who has not personally immigrated to another country in which they were not born with work rights needs to seriously consider their advice.

[lhl]

Harsh reality: if you're on a work visa, the immigration department doesn't care about whatever degree you have either. It cares about whether you have a job offer/visa sponsor.

Whether a degree or demonstrated proficiency/work experience matters more depends on the employer.

[prostoalex]

How do you get that work visa without proper degree? It's more or less a requirement for an H1-B in the US

http://www.uscis.gov/eir/visa-guide/h-1b-specialty-occupatio...

[lhl]

"Having education, specialized training, and/or progressively responsible experience that is equivalent to the completion of a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in the specialty occupation, and having recognition of expertise in the specialty. through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty. In general, 3 years of work experience or training in the field is considered as equivalent to 1 year of college."

[prostoalex]

Yeah, so 4x3=12 years of relevant experience. The subject in question is still looking for first job out of college.

[keerthiko]

Guys, talking about the H1-B is a moot point, he might as well buy a lottery ticket and then pay his way into engineering school somewhere in the world, given how US immigration looks.

[ckdarby]

Immigration departments due give a shit: philsturgeon.uk/blog/2014/08/i-was-an-extraordinary-alien-for-a-week

Please do not make broad assumptions like your post does ._.