Getting a job abroad without a university degree can be challenging, especially when you need an employer to support your work visa. However, there are opportunities for international applicants in areas such as agriculture, food processing, fruit picking, meat production, poultry processing and seasonal farm work.
Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have immigration programmes that allow employers to recruit foreign workers for certain jobs that do not require a university degree.
The challenge is knowing which employers participate in these programmes and understanding whether you are eligible to apply.
This guide highlights 20 companies and approved recruitment operators connected to overseas low-skilled, seasonal or lower-formal-qualification employment opportunities in the UK, Canada and Australia. It also explains the relevant visa routes, the types of jobs to look for and how to avoid recruitment scams.
An important clarification: the phrase “unskilled work” is commonly used in job searches, but immigration authorities often classify these positions as low-skilled, lower-skilled or seasonal work. Not every job without a degree qualifies for visa sponsorship. You must meet the requirements of the specific immigration programme.
Can You Get a Visa Sponsorship Job Abroad Without a Degree?
Yes, it is possible to work abroad without a university degree, but your options depend on the country, occupation and visa category.
Some employers recruit international workers for jobs involving practical skills, physical work or short-term labour requirements. Examples include:
- Fruit and vegetable picking
- Farm and greenhouse work
- Food production and packaging
- Meat and poultry processing
- Seafood processing
- General agricultural work
- Certain cleaning, hospitality and support positions
However, there is an important difference between getting hired and qualifying for a work visa.
An employer may be willing to hire someone without a degree but still be unable to sponsor that person under the country’s immigration rules.
For this reason, always check the visa requirements before applying.
20 Companies and Approved Operators to Investigate
The following organisations are divided by country. Some are direct employers, while others are government-approved scheme operators or businesses appearing in official temporary-worker programme records.
Their inclusion does not mean they currently have vacancies or will sponsor every international applicant. Always confirm the latest recruitment information directly.
A. Companies and Operators in the United Kingdom
The UK has a Seasonal Worker visa for eligible horticulture and poultry jobs. Applicants who do not already have permission to work in the country must obtain sponsorship through an approved scheme operator.
The UK government currently identifies six approved operators.
1. AGRI-HR
AGRI-HR is an approved operator under the UK’s Seasonal Worker scheme.
The organisation recruits workers for agricultural employers and supports eligible applicants through the seasonal recruitment process.
Potential job areas include:
- Fruit picking
- Vegetable harvesting
- Horticultural work
- Seasonal farm activities
2. Concordia
Concordia is a recruitment organisation involved in the UK’s Seasonal Worker scheme.
It works with agricultural employers that need temporary workers during busy production periods.
Possible opportunities include:
- Fruit picking
- Crop harvesting
- Farm work
- Seasonal horticulture
3. Fruitful Jobs
Fruitful Jobs recruits workers for seasonal agricultural opportunities in the UK.
Applicants can investigate its recruitment information for work involving farms, crop production and horticulture.
Possible job areas include:
- Fruit harvesting
- Vegetable picking
- Crop handling
- Seasonal agricultural work
4. HOPS Labour Solutions
HOPS Labour Solutions is another approved operator under the UK’s Seasonal Worker route.
The organisation connects seasonal workers with agricultural employers that need additional labour during harvesting periods.
Potential roles include:
- Fruit picking
- Vegetable harvesting
- General horticultural work
- Seasonal farm labour
5. Pro-Force
Pro-Force recruits seasonal workers for UK agricultural businesses and is an approved Seasonal Worker scheme operator.
The company is worth investigating if you are interested in temporary farm employment.
Potential roles include:
- Fruit picking
- Vegetable harvesting
- Crop production
- Seasonal agricultural work
6. RE Recruitment
RE Recruitment is an approved operator for the Seasonal Worker route, specifically for poultry workers.
Its inclusion is important because poultry work has different seasonal arrangements from horticultural work.
Potential opportunities may involve:
- Poultry processing
- Production-line activities
- Seasonal poultry work
Important UK visa information
The Seasonal Worker visa allows eligible applicants to work in horticulture for up to six months. Poultry work is seasonal and generally takes place between 2 October and 31 December.
Applicants must obtain sponsorship through an approved scheme operator. The UK government specifically warns that scheme operators should not charge workers for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
This route is temporary. It does not automatically provide permanent residence or allow workers to bring dependants.
B. Companies in Canada
Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows eligible employers to recruit foreign workers when they cannot find suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents for certain positions.
Some lower-wage agricultural and food-processing positions may qualify.
The following companies have appeared in published positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) employer records or employer data covering relevant agricultural and food-processing occupations. These records are useful starting points for research, but they do not confirm that a company has a vacancy today.
7. Aliments Nortera Inc.
Aliments Nortera is a Canadian food-processing business involved in the production of frozen and canned vegetables.
Food manufacturing can include production and packaging positions that do not require a university degree.
Potential job areas to investigate:
- Food production
- Packaging
- Processing-line work
- Warehouse operations
Location: Quebec, Canada.
8. Cape Bald Packers Ltd.
Cape Bald Packers is a seafood processing company based in New Brunswick.
Seafood processing businesses can recruit workers for production activities involving handling, preparation, packaging and processing.
Potential job areas:
- Seafood processing
- Packaging
- Production-line work
- General plant operations
Location: New Brunswick, Canada.
9. Olymel
Olymel is a major Canadian food-processing company involved in pork, poultry and other food products.
Its production facilities may have opportunities in manufacturing and food processing.
Potential job areas:
- Meat processing
- Food production
- Packaging
- Plant operations
Location: Multiple locations in Canada.
10. Quin-Sea Fisheries
Quin-Sea Fisheries operates in Canada’s seafood industry.
Seafood processing businesses can offer practical production roles for workers with the ability to perform physical tasks and follow workplace safety procedures.
Potential job areas:
- Fish processing
- Seafood packaging
- Production work
- Processing-plant operations
Location: Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
11. Barry Group Inc.
Barry Group is involved in seafood processing and related activities in Atlantic Canada.
Applicants interested in food production and seafood processing can investigate its employment opportunities.
Potential job areas:
- Seafood handling
- Processing
- Packaging
- General production work
Location: Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
12. Westmorland Fisheries Ltd.
Westmorland Fisheries is another business in Canada’s seafood processing sector.
Its industry is worth researching if you are interested in production jobs that involve handling and processing seafood products.
Potential job areas:
- Seafood processing
- Packaging
- Plant production
- General processing work
Location: New Brunswick, Canada.
13. JBS Food Canada
JBS Food Canada operates in the meat-processing industry and is part of the wider JBS food business.
Meat-processing facilities may recruit workers for production, packaging and related operational activities.
Potential job areas:
- Meat processing
- Packaging
- Production-line work
- Food manufacturing
Location: Brooks, Alberta, Canada.
Important Canada visa information
Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program is not an automatic work visa programme.
Employers generally need a positive or neutral LMIA before hiring a foreign worker through the relevant stream, unless an exemption applies. An LMIA assesses whether hiring a foreign worker is justified under Canadian labour market rules.
For lower-wage positions, employers must also meet additional conditions. These can include recruitment efforts, wage requirements, limits on the proportion of temporary foreign workers and restrictions on applications in certain areas.
A positive LMIA issued to an employer for one position does not mean that every job at that company is available to foreign applicants.
You can search for vacancies through Canada’s official Job Bank:
C. Companies in Australia
Australia has a specific programme for certain low-skilled, semi-skilled and seasonal jobs called the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Through this programme, approved Australian employers can recruit eligible workers from participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste.
The scheme covers areas such as agriculture, food processing and selected other industries.
The following businesses appear on Australia’s official list of current PALM scheme employers.
14. Tabro Meat
Tabro Meat is an Australian meat-processing business listed as a PALM scheme employer.
Potential job areas to investigate include:
- Meat processing
- Food production
- Packaging
- Processing-plant operations
Location: Queensland, Australia.
15. Kilcoy Global Foods
Kilcoy Global Foods operates in Australia’s meat and food-processing industry.
Its inclusion on the PALM employer list makes it a business worth investigating for eligible workers interested in food production and processing.
Potential job areas:
- Meat processing
- Production
- Packaging
- Food manufacturing
Location: Queensland, Australia.
16. Teys Australia
Teys Australia is a major meat-processing business with operations across the country.
The company appears on the official PALM employer list through participating business entities.
Potential job areas:
- Meat processing
- Food production
- Packaging
- General processing work
Location: Multiple Australian locations.
17. Thomas Foods International
Thomas Foods International is an Australian food-processing and meat business.
It has several operations connected to the production and processing of food products.
Potential job areas:
- Meat processing
- Production-line work
- Packaging
- Food manufacturing
Location: Multiple Australian locations.
18. Driscoll’s Australia
Driscoll’s Australia is involved in berry production and agricultural supply.
Agricultural businesses may recruit workers for seasonal activities connected to growing, harvesting and handling fruit.
Potential job areas:
- Berry harvesting
- Farm work
- Fruit handling
- Agricultural production
Location: Victoria, Australia.
19. AAA Egg Company
AAA Egg Company is listed as a PALM scheme employer in Western Australia.
Businesses in the egg and poultry supply chain may have operational roles involving production, handling and packaging.
Potential job areas:
- Egg production
- Sorting and packaging
- Farm operations
- General production work
Location: Western Australia.
20. Sunstate Fruits
Sunstate Fruits is an agricultural business listed on the Australian PALM scheme employer register.
Fruit production businesses can have seasonal labour needs during planting, harvesting and handling periods.
Potential job areas:
- Fruit picking
- Harvesting
- Packing
- General farm work
Location: Queensland, Australia.
Important Australia visa information
The PALM scheme is not open to applicants from every country. It is designed for citizens of participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste.
The participating countries include Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
This means that applicants from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, India and Pakistan cannot use the PALM scheme simply because they find a participating employer.
Australia’s standard employer-sponsored work visas, including the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), generally require a suitably skilled worker and an eligible occupation. They should not be confused with the PALM scheme.
Quick Comparison of the 20 Companies and Operators
| Country | Companies and approved operators | Main opportunity areas |
|---|---|---|
| UK | AGRI-HR, Concordia, Fruitful Jobs, HOPS Labour Solutions, Pro-Force, RE Recruitment | Horticulture and poultry |
| Canada | Aliments Nortera, Cape Bald Packers, Olymel, Quin-Sea Fisheries, Barry Group, Westmorland Fisheries, JBS Food Canada | Food processing, seafood and meat production |
| Australia | Tabro Meat, Kilcoy Global Foods, Teys Australia, Thomas Foods International, Driscoll’s Australia, AAA Egg Company, Sunstate Fruits | Agriculture, food processing and seasonal production |
The UK list contains approved Seasonal Worker scheme operators rather than six individual farms. The Canadian names are employers identified in positive LMIA-related records, while the Australian businesses are listed PALM scheme employers. These distinctions matter when deciding where and how to apply.
How to Apply for Unskilled Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
Finding an employer is only the first step. You must also follow the correct application process.
Step 1: Choose your preferred country
Start by deciding whether you want to investigate opportunities in the UK, Canada or Australia.
Consider:
- Whether your nationality is eligible for the relevant programme.
- The type of work you can realistically perform.
- The length of the employment contract.
- Your expected travel and accommodation expenses.
- Whether the visa allows you to stay after the job ends.
Step 2: Visit the employer’s official website
Use the company’s official website to find its careers or recruitment section.
Search for job titles such as:
- Farm worker
- Fruit picker
- Food production operative
- Meat processing worker
- Poultry worker
- Packaging operative
- General labourer
Do not assume that a vacancy offers sponsorship simply because the company has hired foreign workers before.
Step 3: Prepare your CV
Your CV should highlight relevant experience and practical abilities.
Include:
- Previous employment
- Physical or practical work experience
- Ability to follow instructions
- Workplace safety awareness
- Teamwork and reliability
- Relevant training or certificates
If you have no previous experience, explain your willingness to learn and identify transferable skills from other activities.
Step 4: Apply through the correct recruitment channel
Some employers accept applications directly. Others recruit through approved operators or authorised recruitment partners.
Follow the application instructions on the employer’s official website. For UK Seasonal Worker jobs, use the approved scheme operators.
Step 5: Verify the job offer and visa process
Before accepting an offer, confirm:
- The employer’s legal name.
- The job location and duties.
- The salary and working hours.
- Accommodation arrangements, if provided.
- Any deductions from your wages.
- The visa category and sponsorship process.
- The person or organisation responsible for the visa application.
Never travel on a visitor visa with the intention of working illegally.
How to Avoid Fake Visa Sponsorship Jobs
Unfortunately, fake overseas job offers are common. Some scammers use the names and logos of genuine companies to convince applicants to pay for non-existent opportunities.
Watch out for these warning signs:
- Guaranteed visa promises: No recruitment agent can guarantee that a government will approve your visa.
- Large upfront recruitment fees: Be cautious when someone demands money to secure a job or sponsorship certificate.
- Unverified email addresses: Check whether the person contacting you uses an official company email address.
- No proper interview: Genuine employers usually have a recruitment and selection process.
- Fake employment contracts: Verify job offers directly with the employer before sending money or personal documents.
- Pressure to pay quickly: Scammers often create artificial deadlines to stop applicants from checking the offer.
For UK Seasonal Worker recruitment, the government states that approved scheme operators should not charge workers for a Certificate of Sponsorship. In Canada, employers cannot recover prohibited recruitment and LMIA-related costs from temporary foreign workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a visa sponsorship job in the UK without a degree?
Yes, some temporary agricultural and poultry jobs are available through the UK Seasonal Worker route. Eligible applicants must obtain sponsorship through an approved scheme operator. The visa is temporary and does not provide an automatic route to permanent residence.
Which companies in Canada hire foreign workers without a degree?
Companies involved in agriculture, seafood processing, food manufacturing and meat production may recruit temporary foreign workers for certain positions. Employers such as Olymel, Cape Bald Packers, Aliments Nortera and other businesses identified in LMIA records are worth researching. However, current vacancies and sponsorship eligibility must be confirmed.
Can Nigerians apply for unskilled jobs in Australia?
Nigerian citizens cannot use Australia’s PALM scheme because it is restricted to citizens of participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. Other Australian work visa routes may be available to eligible Nigerians, but standard employer-sponsored visas generally require suitable skills, qualifications or experience.
Do I need work experience to apply for farm jobs abroad?
Not always. Some seasonal farm jobs provide basic training and accept applicants without previous agricultural experience. However, employers may still require physical fitness, reliability, communication skills and the ability to work safely.
Can an employer pay for my flight and accommodation?
Some employers provide accommodation or other relocation assistance, but this depends on the job and employment agreement. Do not assume that flights, accommodation or visa costs will be covered. Ask for the terms in writing before accepting an offer.
Can I bring my family on a seasonal work visa?
This depends on the visa category. The UK’s Seasonal Worker visa does not allow workers to bring dependants. Canada’s temporary work arrangements and Australia’s PALM scheme have their own family-related rules, which applicants should check before applying.
Are unskilled jobs a route to permanent residence?
Not automatically. Some temporary employment routes are designed for short-term labour needs and do not lead directly to permanent residence. Other immigration programmes may offer longer-term options to eligible workers, but they have separate requirements.
Conclusion
Finding a company that recruits foreign workers is a useful starting point if you want to work abroad without a university degree. The UK, Canada and Australia all have programmes that support certain lower-skilled, seasonal or practical jobs, but their immigration rules are different.
The UK offers a Seasonal Worker route through six approved operators. Canada has a Temporary Foreign Worker Program that can cover eligible agricultural and food-processing jobs. Australia operates the PALM scheme for workers from participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste.
Before applying, verify the employer, confirm that the vacancy is genuine and understand the visa requirements for your nationality.
Most importantly, do not pay anyone who promises a guaranteed job or visa. A legitimate opportunity should come with clear employment terms and a verifiable immigration process.
A carefully researched application is a much safer starting point than relying on social media advertisements or unverified recruitment agents.