u/Significant_Youth426

I will finish my master's degree at the age of 24. Plenty of my university friends applies for a PhD right after their master's degree but I can't do the same. Due to certain circumstances I have to work for 3 years after graduation. Is it okay to start a PhD at the age of 27? Isn't it too late? Might I be rejected because of a 3-year gap?
Incidentally, I'm not an EU citizen but I look for PhD programs. Would a three-year non-European work gap count against me?
I would be very grateful for any respond or advice on this post