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Seasonal Worker Visa (UK)

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Introduction

The Seasonal Worker Visa is for workers who have a job offer in the UK to do seasonal horticulture, viticulture or poultry farming work with a sponsor who is an approved scheme operator.

The scheme is subject to a quota and isn’t a route that allows you to bring family members to the UK. 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 Certificate of Sponsorship.

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 Seasonal Worker visas, call us now on 0300 131 6767 or complete our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.

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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 A-rated approved scheme operator within the UK’s horticultural or poultry production sector and they must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

If your visa is accepted, horticulture workers can come to the UK for a maximum of six months. Poultry production workers can come to the UK for the period from 2 October – 31 December each year. You 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.

For an initial consultation, call us now on 0300 131 6767

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Eligible roles for a Seasonal Worker visa

Work under the Seasonal Worker route must be within the horticulture or poultry farming sectors. To meet the requirements of this visa within horticulture, 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

The poultry production sector roles include:

  • Butcher
  • Bird/game dresser
  • Killer and plucker
  • Plucker
  • Poulterer
  • Poultry processor
  • Poultry sticker
  • Trusser
  • Food operative
  • Poultry catcher/handler
  • Poultry vaccinator
  • Poultry meat packer

Each role has its own sponsorship code. You will be paid at least the UK’s National Minimum Wage (higher for poultry workers) and you are guaranteed at least 32 hours of paid work per week under Immigration Rules introduced in April 2023. 

You are subject to a 6-month cooling off period, during which you are not permitted to return to the UK as a seasonal worker.

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What documents/information do I need?

Seasonal Worker visa applicants should gather several types of evidence before they begin the application process. You will need the following documentation:

  • A valid passport or travel document, to serve as proof of your identity
  • A Certificate of Sponsorship, which shows that you have been offered a relevant role in horticulture or poultry work
  • Evidence of finances, to prove that you can support yourself during your stay

You will need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide these documents and verify your identity. You will be invited to book an appointment when you fill out your visa application form.

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Why choose Latitude Law?

Working with a law firm can be a big decision, which is why we ensure that our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice.

As a boutique law firm specialising in UK-inbound work immigration, we are able to provide pragmatic advice and meet our clients’ needs. We work with the Home Office and other immigration authorities so we can advise you with confidence, and ensure the entire immigration procedure runs smoothly and efficiently for you. Our lawyers can provide up-to-the-minute legal advice on how any changes will impact your application.

We are pleased to be recognised as a leading law firm by the following independent bodies: The Times Best Law Firms 2024, Chambers & Partners 2024, Legal 500 2024 and Who'sWhoLegal 2024.

Endorsements from these international legal directories demonstrate our integrity and success in dealing with difficult cases. We are also proud of our 5-star Google reviews from more than 150 satisfied clients.

Call us today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.

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Contact us

Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that the conditions of your sponsored work are compliant with the very latest immigration rules.

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.

Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.

FAQs About the Seasonal Worker Visa (UK)

How long does it typically take to process a Seasonal Worker visa application?

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

Can I bring family members to the UK with me on this visa?

No, you cannot bring dependants on this temporary work route.

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

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.

Can I switch into the Seasonal Visa route?

It is not possible to switch into the Seasonal Worker visa route from inside the UK. The Seasonal Worker visa scheme offers only a temporary worker visa, which can be strictly limited in terms of how long someone can stay in the UK and the work they can do. Workers who have travelled to the UK under another visa route (such as the Skilled Worker visa) will typically be able to stay longer and enjoy other freedoms that a Seasonal Worker visa holder cannot. If you have concerns about your visa or the work you are doing, and think you would like to get a new job or change to a different visa route, speak to the team at Latitude Law for advice tailored to your specific situation.

If you have travelled to the UK under a visitor visa, you must leave the country before applying for a Seasonal Worker visa.

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. To study, you will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme Certificate. The UK Seasonal Worker visa is relatively limited in terms of the roles and industries to which it applies. As such, a different type of temporary worker visa or even a longer-term visa may better suit your needs.

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 Certificate of Sponsorship, receive public funds, or bring family members with you. You cannot work in a role outside the horticulture sector or the poultry production sector.

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 five scheme operators in the UK - Agri HR, Concordia, Fruitful Jobs, HOPS Labour Solutions, Pro-Force.

Can my business sponsor seasonal workers?

No – only licensed sponsors under the Seasonal Workers Scheme are authorised to provide sponsorship. Obtaining a licence in this route is complex – normally you must be invited by the Home Office and Defra to apply. You require licensing by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

For an initial consultation, call us now on 0300 131 6767

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