Getting a good SV job in one’s 40s from the other side of the globe

It's VERY HARD(to impossible) to get a US working visa, even if you are absolutely great. I think this is the hardest problem. Finding a job as a American in SV should be a piece of cake if you are an average developer with a bachelor and some experience(or even none).

Not to mention that H1B visas are horrible, like, your SO can't work, you are tied up with the company who gives it and they will lowball your salary in comparison to your other American peers.

I'd just move somewhere else like Europe(Germany/Ireland) where they have real immigration policies(as imperfect as they might be). If you need H1B. If you saved a lot of money you can try to use the green card route.

I've personally given up trying to go to the US and just embraced living in Europe, even though that it's impossible to get SV salaries. Maybe when I've accumulated enough money I'll just buy my way in. Living in America has always been a dream for me but I don't want to move there and have a very restricted lifestyle and feel disrespected by those immigration laws.

It is possible for sure. However, note that San Francisco is incredibly expensive now. So you have to really focus on getting a good salary and actually finding a reasonable place to live. Also, traffic, homelessness, etc. The reality is it isn't as glamorous as you may have in your mind.

There are a lot of remote jobs to be had. Companies like Gitlab hire all over the world. That might be another approach worth exploring. Maybe look for a remote position and see if you can relocate.

Despite what some may think there is age discrimination, I have found that Silicon Valley is still more of a meritocracy. You github/gitlab, blogs, accomplishments weigh heavily. The valley is still in high demand of talent and will pay well.

That being said, any interest in starting your own company? People often think entrepreneurs are mostly in their 20s, you will likely find that it is much higher than that: https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/youll-never-guess-avera...

There are only two paths to get a SV gig from abroad. 1) Join the local arm of a SV HQ company and transfer on L1 or 2) Go to school and get recruited from there while starting OPT and transferring to H1. There are very few alternatives to these two paths. Diversity visa, EB 5, Family Green card, O1 are some other very difficult options if you have those connections

Moving to Canada as a PR, then getting the passport and then working in the US is likely the safest and sanest route.

Given the immigration situation, probably not. If you just want disposable income, go to Zurich.