THE MAP
THE MAP
ELIGIBILITY CARD
last checked: July 2026
DataAnnotation
5 COUNTRIES
US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand only. If you live there, put it at the top of your list. If not, skip it entirely and do not waste your one-shot application.
Handshake AI
US ONLY
Requires US residence and work authorization. Highest paying, narrowest gate. Anyone claiming they can get you in from elsewhere is scamming you.
Outlier
100+ COUNTRIES
The wide gate: US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, most of Europe, and large parts of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Pay varies by country and project. Usually the first serious platform to try outside the DataAnnotation five.
ELIGIBILITY CARD
last checked: July 2026
DataAnnotation
5 COUNTRIES
US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand only. If you live there, put it at the top of your list. If not, skip it entirely and do not waste your one-shot application.
Handshake AI
US ONLY
Requires US residence and work authorization. Highest paying, narrowest gate. Anyone claiming they can get you in from elsewhere is scamming you.
Outlier
100+ COUNTRIES
The wide gate: US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, most of Europe, and large parts of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Pay varies by country and project. Usually the first serious platform to try outside the DataAnnotation five.
QUICK PICKS
The short version, by where you live
UNITED STATES
Every door open
DataAnnotation, Handshake, Outlier, and everything below them. Start with the first two.
UK · CANADA · AUSTRALIA · NZ
The top pair
DataAnnotation and Outlier, with Prolific as the easy supplement (especially in the UK).
EUROPE (NON-UK)
Skip DataAnnotation
Outlier first, Prolific second, and Clickworker or Mindrift as your base layer.
EVERYWHERE ELSE
The realistic three
Outlier, Toloka or Mindrift, and Clickworker. Pay bands can be lower by region, stated up front by most platforms.
1
Go to the platform's own careers, FAQ, or help center page and search for "countries" or "eligibility." Most state their list plainly once you know to look.
2
If the site is vague, start the application but stop at the country dropdown. If your country is not in it, that is your answer, and you just saved an hour.
3
Check the payment section before you celebrate. Supported for work and supported for payout are two different lists, and you need to be on both.
Two minutes, three checks, zero wasted applications.