I read books on algorithms and data structures and typed out the examples. The work computer was locked down for installers but I could download open source programs and compile Java. One of the more interesting chapters I remember was parsing basic math operations for a calculator into a tree structure, evaluating it, and converting it between infix and postfix notation.
My boss probably noticed I had automated things because sometimes they would send new data requiring an urgent redo of everything, and I would send results back in a minute instead of the 8 hours it used to take. He didn’t seem upset, more like pleasantly surprised that a temp-to-hire pulled it off. I even got a compliment at one point, which never happened before.
One day I applied for another job that was a lot of what I already did and some of what I wanted to do more of. I called in sick to do the interview and got the position. It was good timing because the place I was at got acquired, and that never goes well if you’re in a group that overlaps what the parent company already has.
Many countries have entrepreneurship or innovation visas. Australia has subclass 188 visa. Canada, Japan and Korea all have a startup visa. UK has an innovator founder visa. Netherlands has the DAFT visa with the US. Thailand and USA have Amity Treaty which allows US citizens to own a business outright in a Thailand, which can be used to obtain business visa and work permit.
Spain and Portugal have digital nomad visas that can lead to permanent residency. France has a visitor visa for up to 1 year working for foreign employers.
Other countries to consider are: Ireland and Belgium.
Without any of those there is moving from country to country every 90 days as a digital nomad, or until you get A2 level in a language and find sponsorship, start a business, or attend a university.