I'm chinese, non bumi, no degree but diploma. Being developing software for 11 years in Malaysia. Then, go Australia for 3 years until  *%^$x@ Microsoft took over! Got retrenched, went back to Malaysia, went jobless for a year by the useless quotas and bumi only vacancies. Being rejected by Malaysian companies because I only have diploma. Most of them prefer degree even from UiTM??. Luckily, a Chicago IT company took me in and spend two years developing aeronautic apps. Now in London, software engineers for robotic company. I don't have any relatives or friends or recommendation when I went to OZ, US or come here to London. Most of them are trust between the companies and their investment in you if they think you're good enough for them, they'll help you all the way from accomodation and work permit but make sure your English and Maths are tough as well.