The UK Seasonal Work Visa is a short-term temporary work visa that does not lead to permanent settlement. This visa allows the Temporary Workers to work in the horticulture, and poultry sectors. The horticulture sector includes picking fruit and vegetables or flowers. The UK Seasonal Worker route is subject to an annual quota. For 2024, the quota is 47,000. Out of which 45,000 places for horticulture and 2,000 places for poultry.
The quota is set by the UK Government (Source). The UK Seasonal Program is extended for five years, all the way until 2029.
Anyone from all over the world is eligible to apply for a seasonal worker visa. The Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker visa (T5) has been replaced by this one. There are no additional requirements for the seasonal visa. However, you have enough cash to live comfortably. Generally speaking, you’ll need to have at least £1,270 on hand. A worker needs a job offer from a sponsor who is an authorized scheme operator before submitting an application for a visa. Below are further specifics regarding the application process, prerequisites, and fields that qualify for a visa.
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Details About UK Seasonal Worker Visa
- Job Country: UK
- Job Sector: Horticulture, Poultry
- Who can Apply: Open to all Countries
- Visa Type: Seasonal Worker Visa (Temporary Visa)
Eligible Roles for Horticulture, Poultry Sector
Horticulture Sector
- Protected vegetables – those grown in glasshouse systems
- Field vegetables – those grown outdoors, including vegetables, herbs, leafy salads, and potatoes
- Soft fruit is defined as fruit that is produced outside or indoors, such as in polytunnels or glasshouses. consists of blueberries, blackcurrants, raspberries, and strawberries.
- Orchard fruit, or top fruit, are fruit-bearing trees such as cherries, apricots, plums, and apples.
- fungi
- Both indoors and outdoors, bulbs and cut flowers, like daffodils, are grown
Potted plants include poinsettias, germaniums, violas, pansies, and other seasonal bedding plants. - Durable decorative nursery stock, including evergreens, shrubs, roses, ornamental trees, and perennials
- Nurseries for trees and forests
Poultry production sector
- Butcher (occupation code 5431)
- Bird/game dresser (occupation code 5433)
- Killer and Plucker (occupation code 5433)
- Plucker (occupation code 5433)
- Poulterer (occupation code 5433)
- Poultry processor (occupation code 5433)
- Poultry sticker (occupation code 5433)
- Trusser (occupation code 5433)
- Food operative (occupation code 8111)
- Poultry catcher/handler (occupation code 9111)
- Poultry vaccinator (occupation code 9119)
- Poultry meat packer (occupation code 9134)
When you can Apply and how long you can Stay?
- For horticulture Work (Any time in the UK you can come and work)
- Maximum Stay: Six months
- You can apply for horticulture Seasonal Worker visas at any time of year.
- For poultry work (You can work from 18 October to 31 December each year)
- You can apply for poultry Seasonal Worker visas by 15 Nov each year.
Who Can Apply and the Requirements for a UK Seasonal Worker Visa
- You must be 18 years old.
- Open to all the countries.
- You must have a certificate of sponsorship from the UK employer with the information about the role you have been offered.
- The certificate of sponsorship is a document that you will receive from your UK Sponsor.
- Once you get the Certificate of Sponsorship, you have three months to apply for a seasonal employment visa.
- A sponsorship letter is something that many UK companies and employment agencies will provide you with.
- In the first month following your arrival in the UK, you must have at least £1,270 available in your local account to support yourself. Unless your sponsor can pay up to £1,270 in expenses for you during your first month in the UK.
- If your company consents to provide you with housing and meals, that information needs to be noted in the letter.
- Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage
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Can You Apply for a UK Seasonal Visa without a Job Offer?
No. Applying without a job offer is not possible. You need an employment offer from a sponsor approved by the Home Office in order to apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa.
UK Home Office Approved Sponsors
You can find the List of organizations licensed to sponsor workers on the Worker and Temporary Worker immigration routes. Here is a List of Sponsors.
If you don’t have a Job then you can apply for the UK High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa. It is a Job search Visa.
Visa Cost
The Visa cost for the UK Seasonal Work Visa is £298 for all countries. You have to pay the application fee online.
- Proof of Job
- A valid passport
- The CoS reference number is given by your sponsor.
- Bank statements
How to Apply Online for the UK Seasonal Worker Visa?
- Step 1 (Find a Job): You need to Find a Job and have a valid job offer from the UK-approved Employer.
- Step 2: You must apply online from the UK Government’s Visas and Immigration website. (Link: https://www.gov.uk/seasonal-worker-visa)
- Step 3: Pay the Application Fee online and Book an appointment. You can Find a visa application center” on GOV.UK.
- Step 4: You need to provide Biometrics and submit your passport.
- Step 5: Wait for the Visa Decision.
Processing Time
Typically, the UK Work Visa processing period lasts between three and four weeks. Following your online application, you should receive a decision regarding your visa in around three weeks.
Best wishes.
