2025 Menial Jobs for UK Immigrants

This guide dives deep into 10 menial jobs like fruit picking that are widely available across the UK in 2025. From wages and requirements to top hiring companies and locations, we’ll give you the practical information you need to begin your journey.

Why Menial Jobs Matter

Menial jobs are:

• In high demand due to labor shortages

• Visa-friendly, especially under the UK’s Seasonal Worker and Skilled Worker programs

• Easy to start, requiring little to no qualifications

• Pathways to permanent residence for those who stay committed.

 1. Fruit Picking and Farm Harvesting Jobs

 Locations: Kent, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire, and Cornwall

 Salary: £9.88 – £11.50/hour

 Typical Season: March – October

Fruit picking remains one of the most in-demand menial jobs. Workers help with harvesting strawberries, apples, raspberries, cherries, and vegetables like cabbages and carrots.

Responsibilities:

• Picking, grading, and packing produce

• Working outdoors in all weather

• Following safety and hygiene regulations

Who Can Apply:

• No formal education needed

• Physically fit individuals

• Temporary work visa holders or Seasonal Worker visa applicants

Top Hiring Companies:

• Concordia UK

• Pro-Force Ltd

• AG Recruitment

• Hall Hunter Partnership

 Visa Options:

• UK Seasonal Worker Visa (6 months)

• Can be renewed yearly

 2. Hotel Housekeeping and Room Attendant Jobs

 Locations: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham

 Salary: £10 – £12.50/hour + bonuses

 Accommodation: Often provided

Hotels and resorts are always looking for housekeepers to clean and maintain guest rooms. These jobs offer long-term stability, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

Responsibilities:

• Cleaning rooms, changing linens

• Replenishing toiletries

• Reporting maintenance issues

 Who Can Apply:

• No experience required

• Must have attention to detail

• Physically able to handle lifting and walking

Top Hiring Companies:

• Premier Inn

• Hilton Hotels

• Marriott International

• Travelodge

Visa Options:

• Skilled Worker Visa (with hospitality sponsorship)

• Temporary Worker Visa (for certain roles)

3. Warehouse Operative and Packer Jobs

Locations: London, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Manchester

Salary: £11.20 – £14.50/hour + overtime

 Demand: Year-round

As e-commerce continues to boom, the need for warehouse workers has exploded. These jobs are ideal for those who enjoy organized, task-based roles in a controlled indoor environment.

Responsibilities:

• Sorting, packing, and dispatching orders

• Scanning and labeling items

• Loading/unloading shipments

Who Can Apply:

• Physically fit

• Good at following instructions

• Basic English skills

Top Hiring Companies:

• Amazon UK

• Ocado

• Tesco Distribution

• DHL

 Visa Options:

• Skilled Worker Visa for roles with sponsorship

• Graduate Visa for students post-study

 4. Cleaning and Janitorial Jobs

 Locations: Nationwide – hospitals, offices, schools

 Salary: £10.50 – £13.00/hour

 Flexibility: Full-time or part-time

Cleaners are crucial to maintaining hygiene in public and private facilities. It’s one of the most accessible jobs for immigrants and has low entry barriers.

 Responsibilities:

• Sweeping, mopping, dusting

• Sanitizing restrooms and common areas

• Restocking supplies

Who Can Apply:

• Entry-level

• Good work ethic

• Able to work unsupervised

Top Hiring Companies:

• Mitie

• ISS Facility Services

• Serco

• NHS Hospitals

Visa Options:

• Skilled Worker Visa (some roles qualify)

• Dependents of visa holders can also work

 5. Construction Labourer Jobs

 Locations: London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds

 Salary: £12 – £16/hour

 Training: Provided on-site

Construction jobs are physically demanding but well-paying. Labourers are needed to support tradespeople, carry materials, and help on building sites.

 Responsibilities:

• Clearing debris

• Mixing materials

• Operating tools under supervision

Who Can Apply:

• No experience needed

• Must pass CSCS safety training

• Fit and safety-aware

 Top Hiring Companies:

• Balfour Beatty

• Kier Group

• Morgan Sindall

• Laing O’Rourke

Visa Options:

• Skilled Worker Visa under construction category

• Seasonal site workers via recruitment agencies.

6. Food Processing and Factory Line Jobs

 Locations: Wales, Yorkshire, Scotland

 Salary: £10.70 – £13.30/hour

Shift Work: Yes (day/night)

In these roles, you’ll work in food factories helping with processing, packing, and quality control for meat, dairy, bakery, and frozen goods.

Responsibilities:

• Working on conveyor lines

• Measuring and packaging products

• Checking for quality and expiry

Who Can Apply:

• No experience needed

• Able to work in cold environments

• Basic hygiene training

 Top Hiring Companies:

• Greencore Group

• 2 Sisters Food Group

• Bakkavor

• Moy Park

 Visa Options:

• Temporary Worker Visa

• Skilled Worker Visa (if sponsored)

7. Kitchen Porter and Dishwasher Jobs

Locations: Hotels, pubs, restaurants

 Salary: £10.50 – £12.80/hour

 Fast-paced: High demand in cities

Kitchen porters (KP) play a vital role behind the scenes. You’ll clean dishes, prep food, and support chefs — a common first job in hospitality.

Responsibilities:

• Washing plates, pans

• Cleaning floors, equipment

• Receiving deliveries

Who Can Apply:

• No qualifications needed

• High stamina and cleanliness

• Team player

Top Hiring Places:

• Wetherspoons

• The Ivy Collection

• Nando’s

• Pizza Express

 Visa Options:

• Hospitality visa sponsors

• Students or dependents can also take this job.

 8. Care Assistant and Home Support Worker

Locations: Throughout UK – especially rural areas

Salary: £10.90 – £15.00/hour + accommodation

 Rewarding work: For those with empathy

Care assistants support elderly or disabled individuals in homes or care facilities. The role is meaningful and often leads to residency pathways.

 Responsibilities:

• Assisting with daily routines

• Bathing, dressing, feeding

• Companionship and mobility support

 Who Can Apply:

• Fluent in English

• Compassionate

• No prior experience, but training is given

Top Hiring Agencies:

• HC-One

• Agincare

• Helping Hands

• NHS Trusts

 Visa Options:

• Skilled Worker Visa with care sponsorship

• Health & Care Worker Visa (fast-tracked)

 9. Laundry and Linen Assistant Jobs

 Locations: Hotels, hospitals, dry-cleaners

 Salary: £10.20 – £11.80/hour

Behind the scenes: High turnover rate = lots of opportunities

In these roles, you help process thousands of linens daily — sheets, uniforms, towels, and gowns — in commercial laundries.

Responsibilities:

• Washing, drying, folding

• Ironing and packing

• Using industrial machines

 Who Can Apply:

• Detail-oriented

• Hardworking

• Fast hands!

 Top Hiring Employers:

• Sunlight Services Group

• Berendsen

• Local NHS laundry services

Visa Options:

• Most work through agencies for temp visas

• Students often fill these jobs

 10. Delivery Helper or Parcel Sorter

Locations: Nationwide, especially urban centers

Salary: £11 – £13.50/hour

 Physically active: Good for energetic individuals

You’ll support delivery drivers by loading, sorting, and sometimes delivering packages — especially around peak times like Christmas.

 Responsibilities:

• Sorting parcels by postcode

• Scanning and loading vans

• Assisting with routes

Who Can Apply:

• Must be fast, efficient

• Willing to work early shifts or nights

• No license needed for helpers

 Top Hiring Companies:

• Royal Mail

• DPD

• Hermes

• Amazon Flex

 Visa Options:

• Temporary visas via logistics agencies

• Graduate visa holders also eligible.

 Countries That Commonly Send Workers for These Jobs

• Nigeria

• India

• Philippines

• Pakistan

• Ghana

• Bangladesh

• Nepal

• Vietnam

• Kenya

• Uganda.

 How to Apply for Menial Jobs in the UK

Step-by-Step:

1. Find a licensed sponsor or agency on the UK government list

2. Apply online and get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

3. Apply for a Seasonal Worker, Skilled Worker, or Temporary Worker Visa

4. Submit biometric information and documents

5. Arrive and start working!

🧾 Required Documents:

• Valid passport

• Job offer letter

• Proof of sponsorship

• Proof of English (for some roles)

• Bank statements (for temporary visa)

Final Tips for Applicants

• Always use official or licensed agents

• Prepare for physical work and long hours

• Learn basic English — it helps communication

• Save and budget wisely — menial jobs can be stepping stones to better jobs

• Explore long-term visa options while working.

 Conclusion

Menial jobs in the UK in 2025 are not just survival jobs, they’re life-changing opportunities. Whether you’re picking strawberries in Kent or folding sheets in Manchester, these roles give you a gateway into the UK economy, offer reliable income, and in many cases, a legal path to long-term residency.

The demand is high. The process is clear. All you need is a good plan and the right visa.