Expat Job Search Secrets: How to Find Jobs in Canada, Europe, and Australia

Hey guys! In this article, we’re going to break down how to find real expat job opportunities abroad.

My name is Alex — I’m a Chartered Mechanical Engineer (UK), a European Engineer, a Certified Career Coach, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer with over 17 years of experience in the industry.

I’ve covered the difference between Local and Expat staff in another article, so I won’t repeat that whole story here.

But in short: an expat is someone who relocates to another country for work, usually without having citizenship or a work permit. The employer arranges your work visa and residence permit.

Let’s go through the main websites people typically use, how useful they actually are, and finally — the best methods to land an expat job abroad.

Why People Look for Expat Jobs

People move abroad for all sorts of reasons:

• Some want a better climate.

• Others want safety or stability.

• Some are chasing better opportunities for their families.

• And many simply want higher earning potential — because in most industries expat salaries are significantly higher than what you might earn back home.

Personally, I’ve spent years searching for engineering expat roles across different regions. I always hoped to find one magical website with all the filters I needed in one place. It doesn’t exist.

I even considered building one myself, but my developer friend convinced me that it would be expensive and technically extremely complex.

So instead, here’s what does exist — and what actually works.

Review of Expat Job Websites

1. Expat.com

https://www.expat.com/

This site is great for general relocation information — country guides, expat communities, useful articles.

They also have job listings, but not many for engineers. Most roles are in hospitality, marketing, cleaning, healthcare support, etc.

Useful for background research, but not a primary job-search tool for technical professionals.

2. XpatJobs

https://xpatjobs.com/

A bit better than the previous site. There are engineering roles, and occasionally something interesting pops up.

However:

• The site feels cluttered,

• Too many ads,

• A lot of expired or duplicated vacancies.

Still, worth browsing once in a while.

3. OverseasJobs

https://www.overseasjobs.com/

Plenty of listings across many countries.

But it’s not always clear which roles are truly expat positions with visa sponsorship.

I’d say: use it as an additional resource, but don’t rely on it too heavily.

4. The Netherlands

If you're specifically targeting the Netherlands, use these:

• https://www.welcome-to-nl.nl/jobs/

• https://www.iamexpat.nl/career/jobs-netherlands

These two are actually solid. Lots of real vacancies, including engineering roles, and the sites are well maintained. If you’re considering relocating to the Netherlands — add both to your list.

5. Australia — Visa 482 Method

There is no dedicated "expat job portal" for Australia, but Australia has something even more useful:

jobs explicitly marked with visa sponsorship.

Use:

• https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au

• https://www.seek.com.au/

Search for:

"482 visa"

This is a sponsored work visa.

If the employer lists it, it means they are willing to sponsor a foreign candidate who is outside Australia.

This is one of the most straightforward ways to identify true expat roles.

6. United Kingdom — Visa Sponsorship Method

Go to the official UK platform:

https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/

Search for:

• Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship

• or simply Visa Sponsorship

The UK has many websites that list jobs with sponsorship, but the government platform is the cleanest and most reliable. A very effective search strategy.

7. Canada — One of the Best Official Tools

Canada has one of the most transparent systems for foreign job seekers:

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/findajob/foreign-candidates

The page literally says:

“Search jobs from employers who are recruiting foreign candidates from outside Canada.”

That’s exactly what you want.

If you're already in Canada, you can switch to the “Already in Canada?” mode. But if you need sponsorship, stick to the foreign-candidate filter.

Why I Don’t Include LinkedIn, Indeed, or Monster

Because none of them have a dedicated filter for visa sponsorship or expat positions.

Yes, you can search for jobs in any country — but you often won’t know whether the employer is willing to provide a visa.

Sometimes companies mention “Visa Sponsorship Available” in the description, but it’s rare and inconsistent.

And to get the resume which will pass ATS and impress the hiring manager, use the EngineerNow Platform:

The Two Most Effective Ways to Get an Expat Job (Based on Real Experience)

Every expat job offer I’ve ever received came through one of these two methods.

And honestly — everything else is secondary.

Method 1: Apply Directly to Companies That Hire Expats

This is especially true in the Middle East — UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait.

In these countries, almost all engineering positions are expat roles by definition.

You cannot work there under local conditions like in Europe. Employers must sponsor your work visa, and often your residence permit if you bring your family.

So the strategy is:

1. Make a list of companies in your field.

2. Go directly to their official career pages.

3. Apply through the company website — not job aggregators.

This method works extremely well.

Method 2: Connect With the Right Recruiters on LinkedIn

This is one of the most powerful strategies.

If your LinkedIn network includes:

• 100–300 recruiters,

• who specialize specifically in international or expat hiring,

• and especially in your profession,

Then job offers will start coming regularly, sometimes even without you applying anywhere.

This is how many expats get recruited — through relationships, not job boards.

Another important part of building a successful expat career is learning how to navigate the professional environment in a new country. In many cases, speaking the local language — or at least showing that you are actively working on it — immediately improves your chances of getting hired. Employers want to see that you can integrate, communicate, and start working with local teams effectively. Attending networking events is also a major advantage, because this is where you can demonstrate your experience skills, highlight your skills, and connect with people who directly help expats find real opportunities. These connections will help you get noticed by recruitment agencies, get invited to more interviews, and significantly speed up your job search process.

Final Thoughts



There is no single “perfect” or “universal” method for finding expat jobs abroad.

But if you're in active job search mode, you should:

• use all websites I mentioned,

• target companies directly,

• build a strong LinkedIn network,

• and leverage your personal contacts and professional network.

Finding an expat job is a process, not a one-click solution — but it absolutely works when you approach it strategically.