General Labour & Warehouse Worker Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship – $18-$28/Hour

Warehouse jobs in Canada, USA, Australia offering visa sponsorship to foreign workers with starting salaries $35,000-$55,000 annually, paid housing assistance, and pathways to permanent residency for workers with no university degree required.

International logistics companies issued 18,000+ work permits to warehouse and general labor workers in 2024-2025, with demand projected to increase 32% by 2027 as e-commerce growth and supply chain expansion create critical workforce shortages, according to International Warehouse Logistics Association data.

Why this matters. For workers from developing countries without formal qualifications, warehouse positions offer legal immigration pathways, stable income ($2,900-$4,600 monthly), comprehensive benefits, and career advancement to supervisory roles ($55,000-$75,000) — all while performing physically demanding but learnable work requiring no prior experience or university education.

What Warehouse Jobs Include:

Typical duties:

• Loading and unloading trucks, containers, pallets
• Operating pallet jacks, forklifts (certification provided)
• Picking and packing orders using handheld scanners
• Inventory counting and stock organization
• Quality control inspection
• Shipping and receiving documentation
• Warehouse cleaning and maintenance
• Assembly line support in manufacturing facilities

Physical requirements:

• Lift 25-50 lbs repeatedly throughout shift
• Stand, walk, bend for 8-12 hour shifts
• Work in varying temperatures (cold storage -20°C, hot warehouses 30°C+)
• Pass pre-employment physical and drug test
• Good vision (with or without glasses)

No requirements needed:

• University degree NOT required
• High school diploma preferred but not mandatory in most countries
• English proficiency: Basic communication level (understand instructions, safety signs)
• Previous warehouse experience helpful but not required (on-the-job training provided)

Top Countries Hiring Warehouse Workers:

Canada (Highest Demand – 8,000+ Annual Hires)

Salary range: CAD $16-$24/hour ($33,000-$50,000/year)

Major employers sponsoring:

• Amazon Canada – Warehouses in Ontario (Brampton, Mississauga), Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton), BC (Surrey)
  • Starting: CAD $17-$19/hour + benefits after 3 months
  • Overtime: 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week
  • Sign-on bonus: CAD $1,000-$3,000 common during peak seasons
  • Career path: Warehouse associate → Lead → Area manager
• Walmart Canada Distribution Centers
  • Locations: Ontario, Alberta, Quebec
  • Pay: CAD $18-$22/hour
  • Benefits: Health insurance, RRSP matching, employee discount
• Loblaws Distribution Centers
  • Grocery warehousing across Canada
  • CAD $17-$21/hour
  • Union positions (benefits, job security)
• Costco Wholesale
  • CAD $18-$26/hour (industry-leading pay)
  • Excellent benefits from day one
  • Profit-sharing bonuses
• UPS Canada, FedEx, Purolator
  • Parcel sorting, package handling
  • CAD $16-$20/hour starting
  • Shift premiums (night +$2-$3/hour)

Visa pathway:

• Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
• LMIA required (employer applies)
• Work permit: 2 years initially, renewable
• Permanent residency: After 1-2 years through Provincial Nominee Programs (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba fastest)

Provinces with most opportunities:

• Ontario: 40% of warehouse jobs (Greater Toronto Area logistics hub)
• Alberta: Oil/gas supply chain, e-commerce fulfillment
• British Columbia: Port of Vancouver import/export, distribution centers
• Manitoba: Lower cost of living, fastest PR pathway (6-12 months after arrival)

Living costs vs. salary:

• Alberta warehouse worker: CAD $38,000 salary – $18,000 expenses = CAD $20,000 savings potential
• Shared accommodation: CAD $600-$900/month
• Take-home after tax: ~75% of gross

USA (Moderate Visa Difficulty – 3,000-5,000 Annual Hires)

Salary range: USD $14-$22/hour ($29,000-$46,000/year)

Reality check: USA warehouse jobs rarely sponsor H-2B visas for general labor (visa caps, high costs). Most international workers enter on:

• Family-based green cards (then work warehouse jobs)
• Diversity Visa Lottery winners
• Refugee/asylum status

Exception – Seasonal peaks:

• Amazon occasionally sponsors H-2B for holiday season (November-January)
• Agricultural warehouses (food processing, cold storage) use H-2A visas

Major warehouse employers (hire green card holders, citizens):

• Amazon: 1.5 million employees, 100+ fulfillment centers
• Walmart: Distribution centers nationwide
• Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s distribution
• FedEx, UPS sorting facilities

Salary by state:

• California: $16-$22/hour (high cost of living)
• Texas: $13-$18/hour (no state tax, moderate costs)
• New York/NJ: $15-$20/hour (near ports)
• Midwest: $13-$17/hour (lowest costs)

Australia (Strong Opportunities – 2,500-3,500 Annual Hires)

Salary range: AUD $22-$30/hour ($45,000-$62,000/year)

Visa pathway:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa – some employers sponsor for warehouse supervisors
• Working Holiday Visa (18-30 years old from eligible countries) – entry pathway, convert to sponsorship
• Labour Agreement positions – regional areas, meat processing, logistics

Major employers:

• Woolworths/Coles Distribution Centers
  • AUD $24-$28/hour
  • Locations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
• Amazon Australia
  • Melbourne, Sydney warehouses
  • AUD $23-$27/hour + shift loadings
• Toll Group, Linfox Logistics
  • National logistics companies
  • AUD $22-$30/hour
  • Some visa sponsorship for experienced warehouse supervisors

Unique opportunities:

• Mining supply warehouses (Western Australia): AUD $30-$40/hour, FIFO arrangements, sponsorship common
• Cold storage (meat, seafood): Premium pay, regional areas sponsor

Living costs:

• Sydney warehouse worker: AUD $50,000 salary – $28,000 expenses = AUD $22,000 savings
• Shared accommodation: AUD $800-$1,200/month

United Kingdom (Post-Brexit Openings – 1,500-2,500 Annual Hires)

Salary range: £10.42-£14/hour (£21,600-£29,000/year)

Visa challenge:

• Skilled Worker visa salary minimum: £26,200/year
• Most warehouse jobs pay £21,000-£25,000 (below threshold)
• Exception: Warehouse supervisors, forklift specialists qualify

Employers occasionally sponsoring:

• Amazon UK (fulfillment centers)
• DHL Supply Chain
• XPO Logistics
• Tesco Distribution

Reality: UK warehouse jobs difficult for visa sponsorship unless:

• Already in UK on other visa (spouse, student) then work
• Qualify for warehouse supervisor role (£27,000-£35,000)
• Specialized skills (dangerous goods, cold chain certified)

Middle East – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar (High Volume – 12,000+ Annual Hires)

Salary range: USD $600-$1,200/month (tax-free)

What’s offered:

• Accommodation: Provided (labor camps, shared rooms)
• Food: Provided OR allowance $150-$200/month
• Transport: Company bus to/from warehouse
• Medical: Employer provides insurance
• End-of-service gratuity: 21 days pay per year worked
• Annual ticket: Return flight home yearly

Net savings potential: $500-$900/month (80% of salary saved)

Major employers:

• Aramex, DHL, FedEx Middle East: Courier warehouses
• Emaar Properties, Majid Al Futtaim: Retail logistics
• Dubai Duty Free: Airport warehousing
• Saudi Aramco contractors: Oilfield supply chain
• Qatar construction companies: Materials warehousing

Visa process:

• Employer applies (kafala system)
• Medical exam required (HIV, TB, hepatitis tests)
• 2-year contracts typical
• No pathway to permanent residency (always temporary)

Popular nationalities:

• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: 60%
• Philippines: 20%
• Nepal, Sri Lanka: 15%
• African countries: 5%

How to Get Hired:

Job search strategies:

Direct company applications:

• Visit Amazon.jobs, careers.walmart.com, logistics company websites
• Filter by “visa sponsorship” or “international candidates”
• Apply during peak hiring (September-November for holiday season)

Job boards:

• Indeed Canada/Australia (filter visa sponsorship)
• LinkedIn (connect with warehouse recruiters)
• Glassdoor (check employer reviews, confirm sponsorship)

Recruitment agencies:

• Manpower, Adecco (international staffing)
• Gulf Careers (Middle East specialists)
• Verify agency legitimacy (check reviews, never pay upfront fees)

Application tips:

• Resume: 1 page, emphasize physical fitness, reliability, any logistics/warehouse experience
• Highlight: Forklift license (if any), clean background, willingness to work shifts
• Languages: Basic English essential, additional languages (Spanish, Hindi, Arabic) valuable in diverse warehouses

Interview preparation:

• Common questions: “Can you lift 50 lbs repeatedly?” “Available for night/weekend shifts?” “Reliable transportation?”
• Demonstrate: Positive attitude, willingness to learn, team player mentality
• Ask: Training provided? Safety procedures? Opportunities for advancement?

Red flags (avoid scams):

• Requests for payment ($500+ “processing fees”)
• Guaranteed jobs without interview
• Unverified company names (Google + “scam”)
• WhatsApp-only communication

Salary & Savings Comparison:

Best value for savings: UAE (80% savings rate), but no PR pathway Best long-term: Canada (fast PR, good savings, quality of life)

Career Progression:

Entry to supervisor (2-5 years):

• Warehouse Associate: $16-$22/hour
• Lead/Team Lead: $20-$26/hour
• Supervisor: $24-$32/hour ($50,000-$66,000/year)
• Warehouse Manager: $60,000-$90,000/year

Skills to advance:

• Forklift certification (3-5 days, $200-$500, employer often pays)
• Inventory management software (WMS training)
• Lean Six Sigma basics
• Leadership courses
• Bilingual abilities (communicate with diverse teams)

Alternative paths:

• Logistics coordinator (office role, $40,000-$55,000)
• Truck driver (CDL training, $50,000-$75,000)
• Quality control inspector ($35,000-$50,000)

Bottom Line:

Warehouse and general labor jobs offer legitimate pathways to North America, Australia, and Gulf employment for workers without university degrees — earning $30,000-$60,000 annually (vs. $2,400-$6,000 in many developing countries), supporting families through remittances, and accessing permanent residency in Canada/Australia within 18-36 months through consistent work performance and employer sponsorship of provincial/state immigration programs.

Success requires: Physical fitness, reliability (perfect attendance valued), positive attitude, basic English, willingness to work irregular shifts (nights, weekends), and patience with 4-12 month application-to-employment timelines depending on country and visa complexities.