For many people hoping to move abroad, factory jobs offer one of the most direct and realistic paths to employment — especially for those without college degrees or specialized skills. In 2025–2026, global labor shortages have opened up new opportunities across the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia, where factories, food-processing plants, and logistics centers are actively recruiting foreign workers, sometimes with visa sponsorship included.
Let’s take a closer, country-by-country look at what’s available, how sponsorship really works, and what you can expect from pay and working conditions.
🏭 What “Unskilled Factory Work” Actually Means
The phrase “unskilled” doesn’t mean undesirable — it generally refers to jobs that:
- Don’t require a degree or formal trade certification
- Can be learned through on-the-job training
- Involve repetitive or physical tasks in manufacturing or packaging
Typical factory roles include:
- Packaging and assembly line work
- Machine operator or production assistant
- Food processing and quality inspection
- Warehouse sorting and loading
- Cleaning or maintenance support
These jobs form the backbone of industrial economies — and as aging workforces and post-pandemic labor gaps deepen, many employers are open to hiring international workers willing to relocate.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Manufacturing Revival & Worker Shortage
The UK manufacturing sector — especially in food production, packaging, and logistics — continues to face worker shortages following Brexit. Employers are now relying more on foreign talent, and some have obtained licenses to sponsor foreign workers under the Skilled Worker Visa or Seasonal Work Visa.
Common Roles Hiring Foreign Workers:
- Factory Packers and Machine Operators
- Food Process Workers (meat, dairy, bakery)
- Assembly Line Workers in Automotive or Plastics
- Warehouse Operatives
Typical Pay: £22,000–£28,000 per year (about $27,000–$34,000 USD)
Visa Routes:
- Skilled Worker Visa — requires employer sponsorship and basic English proficiency (A1–A2).
- Seasonal Worker Visa — short-term employment (up to 6 months), often for food processing.
Examples of Hiring Companies:
- Greencore Group (food production)
- Moy Park (poultry processing)
- Bakkavor (ready meals manufacturing)
- G’s Fresh (vegetable packing)
💡 Tip: Check if the employer is on the UK Home Office Sponsor List before applying. Only registered sponsors can issue work visas.
🇺🇸 United States: Entry-Level Jobs via H-2B & EB-3 Sponsorship
In the U.S., factory and warehouse labor shortages have persisted since 2023, especially in manufacturing hubs like Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Employers are turning to temporary and long-term visa sponsorships to fill roles.
Possible Visa Options:
- H-2B Visa: For temporary non-agricultural jobs (factories, food packaging, etc.). Duration: up to 9 months.
- EB-3 Visa (Unskilled Worker Category): For permanent jobs requiring less than two years of training. This visa can lead to a green card, but the process is lengthy.
Factory Jobs That Commonly Offer Sponsorship:
- Meat and poultry processing workers
- Machine or equipment operators
- Warehouse packaging staff
- Quality control assistants
Typical Pay: $28,000–$38,000 per year (entry level)
Examples of U.S. Employers Known for Sponsoring:
- Tyson Foods (food processing)
- JBS USA (meatpacking)
- Cargill (food and logistics)
- Pilgrim’s Pride (poultry plants)
Note that H-2B visas are seasonal and quota-limited, so applying early through certified recruiters or employer listings on the U.S. Department of Labor website helps.
🇨🇦 Canada: Consistent Demand for Factory & Warehouse Workers
Canada’s manufacturing sector — especially in Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba — has long relied on immigrant labor. Through government programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), employers can legally hire and sponsor foreign workers for both unskilled and semi-skilled roles.
Common Sponsored Roles:
- Food and beverage production line worker
- Packaging and labeling staff
- Furniture assembler
- Plastics or textile machine operator
Average Pay: CAD 17–24 per hour (CAD 35,000–$45,000 annually)
Employers Offering Sponsorships (recent listings):
- Maple Leaf Foods
- Sofina Foods Inc.
- Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd.
- Canada Bread Company
Visa Pathways:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): Employer must get an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) confirming no Canadians available for the role.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Offer long-term residency options for foreign workers who perform essential labor.
Canada remains one of the few countries where true unskilled factory jobs can realistically lead to permanent residency after 2–3 years of work.
🇦🇺 Australia: Regional Employers Filling the Labor Gap
Australia’s labor shortages in manufacturing and logistics have carried into 2025, with employers in rural and regional areas now offering sponsorship for foreign workers.
Typical Unskilled or Semi-Skilled Roles:
- Packaging and production assistants
- Machine operators in food or beverage plants
- Assembly line helpers
- Warehouse and freight workers
Pay Range: AUD 50,000–$60,000 per year (approx. USD 33,000–$40,000)
Visa Pathways:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) — employer-sponsored for up to 4 years.
- Working Holiday or Seasonal Worker Programs — allow short-term work while exploring permanent pathways.
Examples of Employers:
- Visy Industries (packaging and recycling)
- Nestlé Australia (food processing)
- Bega Cheese (dairy manufacturing)
- Australian Meat Group (processing plants)
💡 Regional employers are often more flexible with sponsorship because they face deeper labor shortages.
🌍 Key Requirements Across All Four Countries
While you don’t need a university degree for factory jobs, expect to show:
✅ A valid job offer from a licensed employer
✅ Passport and clean background check
✅ Proof of work experience (even informal counts)
✅ Basic English communication skills
✅ Physical fitness for manual labor
Many employers provide short training programs and even assist with relocation logistics like housing or airport transfers.
⚠️ Watch Out for Fake Job Offers
Unfortunately, “visa sponsorship” is a buzzword used by online scammers to lure applicants. Always:
- Verify that the company is legitimate (use government databases)
- Avoid paying any upfront “processing” or “recruitment” fees
- Request a written job offer before providing personal documents
Legitimate sponsorships are employer-funded and handled through official immigration portals.
💬 What You Can Expect
Unskilled factory work might not sound like a dream job, but it’s one of the most reliable entry points into developed countries’ labor markets. Many migrants start out on factory floors and, within a few years, move into supervisory, technical, or even logistics management roles.
Your first year might involve long shifts and modest pay, but it can lead to financial stability, permanent residency, and, in some cases, family sponsorship opportunities.
🧭 Final Thoughts
For 2025–2026, the UK and Canada stand out as the most promising destinations for factory jobs with real visa sponsorship potential, followed by Australia for regional roles and the U.S. for temporary H-2B programs.
If you’re dependable, willing to learn, and ready to adapt, a factory job abroad could be your stepping stone to a long-term career and better life.