Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker Visa

The Seasonal Worker Visa is for workers who have a job offer in the UK to do seasonal horticulture work – for example, picking fruit, vegetables or flowers – with a sponsor who is an approved scheme operator.

The scheme is currently subject to a quota (e.g. 30,000 visas for 2022) and isn’t a route that allows you to bring family members to the UK.

Latitude Law can provide you with expert support to ensure you provide the right documentation and submit the appropriate application. To speak to a solicitor about Season Worker visas, call us now on 0044 161 234 6800 or 0044 207 046 7185, or complete our contact form and we will get in touch with you at a time that is convenient for you.

 

Who is eligible for a Seasonal Worker Visa?

Seasonal Worker visas allow individuals to come to the UK to work in an unskilled role for up to six months. You could be eligible for this type of visa if you:

  • Are over the age of 18;
  • Have an approved sponsor;
  • Have enough money to support yourself in the UK.

The sponsor will need to be an approved scheme operator and must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

If your visa is accepted, you can come to the UK for a maximum of six months and are only permitted to work in the role you are being sponsored for. If your application is refused, you may be able to make a fresh application or apply for an Administrative Review.

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Eligible roles for a Seasonal Worker Visa

Work under the Seasonal Worker route must be within the horticulture sector, and to meet the requirements of this visa, you must be working with one or more of the following products being farmed:

  • Protected vegetables – those grown in glasshouse or polytunnel systems
  • Field vegetables – those grown outdoors, such as vegetables, herbs, leafy salads and potatoes
  • Soft fruit – those grown both outdoors or under cover, including strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, and all rabes and rubus species
  • Top fruit – those grown in orchards from fruit-bearing trees, e.g. apples, plums, cherries and apricots
  • Vines and bines – this includes hops or grapes
  • Mushrooms – this typically includes Agaricus bisporus species but can cover more exotic species
  • Bulbs and cut flowers – such as daffodils grown indoors or outdoors
  • Pot plants – such as seasonal bedding plants like pansies, violas, geraniums and poinsettias
  • Hardy ornamental nursery stock – including Christmas trees, shrubs, roses, ornamental trees and perennials
  • Tree and forest nurseries
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How to apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa

Applications for Seasonal Worker visas must be submitted from outside of the UK. There is no time limit on this type of visa, but the earliest you can apply is three months before the date on which you are due to start to work – this can be found on your CoS.

You should receive a decision on your Seasonal Worker visa application within three weeks.

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Why choose Latitude Law?

By choosing Latitude Law to handle your Seasonal Worker visa application, you will benefit from our team’s unrivalled understanding of Home Office policy, which will help to ensure your application is successful.

Our highly experienced team of UK immigration solicitors are on hand to help you at every stage of the application process. You can be confident that our practical and informed approach will be of benefit to your application

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Contact Us

For help and advice with a Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker visa, get in touch with our highly qualified team today by calling 0044 161 234 6800 or 0044 207 046 7185, or complete our contact form and we will get back in touch with you at a time that is convenient for you.

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Seasonal Worker Visa FAQs

How much money do I need to support myself on a Seasonal Worker visa?

Unless you are exempt, you will need to have at least £1,270 available to show that you can support yourself while in the UK. Funds will need to have been held for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your application.

If your employer will be covering your costs during the first month that you are in the UK, you will be exempt from the above requirement. Your CoS will need to have confirmation that your employer is covering your expenses.

How much does it cost for a Seasonal Worker visa?

The Home Office application fee for a Seasonal Worker visa is currently £244. This fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you are a national of the following countries:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Turkey

Can I switch into the Seasonal Visa route?

It is not possible to switch into the Seasonal Worker visa route.

What can you do under a Seasonal Worker visa?

Under the Seasonal Worker visa, you are able to work in the job described in your CoS and study; however, you will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme Certificate.

What can you not do under a Seasonal Worker visa?

Under the Seasonal Worker visa, you are not able to take a permanent job, work in a second job, work in a job that is not described in your CoS, receive public funds, and bring family members with you.

What is a scheme operator?

A scheme operator is endorsed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and licensed by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. There are currently only four scheme operators in the UK – AG Recruitment and Management Ltd, Concordia Ltd, Fruitful Jobs and Pro-Force Ltd.

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All content on this page was reviewed by Latitude Law and is accurate as of 03/10/2022