The Seasonal Worker Visa UK allows overseas nationals aged 18 and over to work temporarily in the UK's horticulture and poultry production sectors. For 2026, the government has allocated 42,900 visas—41,000 for horticulture and 1,900 for poultry—making this a critical route for UK farms facing seasonal labour shortages. This comprehensive guide covers the eligibility requirements, application process, approved scheme operators, and important rule changes that took effect from November 2025.
Seasonal Worker Visa UK Overview 2026
The Seasonal Worker Visa UK is part of the government's Seasonal Worker Scheme, which replaced the previous Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) route. This visa enables farms and agricultural businesses to recruit overseas workers for short-term seasonal roles when domestic labour is insufficient. The scheme operates through approved scheme operators licensed by the Home Office and endorsed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
What is the Seasonal Worker Visa UK?
The Seasonal Worker Visa UK is a temporary work visa for the horticulture and poultry sectors. Horticulture workers can stay up to 6 months in any rolling 10-month period (from November 2025), while poultry workers can only work between 2 October and 31 December each year. The visa costs £319 and requires sponsorship from an approved scheme operator.
The Seasonal Worker Visa covers two distinct sectors with different rules and timeframes. Understanding these differences is essential before applying, as the wrong sector choice could affect your application's success.
Horticulture Sector Roles
Horticulture seasonal work covers a wide range of farming activities. To qualify, your work must involve one of the following product categories:
- Soft fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, and other berries
- Top fruit (orchard): Apples, plums, cherries, apricots, pears
- Field vegetables: Potatoes, herbs, leafy salads, and outdoor vegetables
- Protected vegetables: Grown in glasshouses or polytunnels
- Vine and bines: Grapes and hops
- Ornamental plants: Flowers, plants grown for decoration
Poultry Production Roles
Poultry seasonal work is more restricted in both scope and timing. Eligible roles include poultry processing, catching, packing, and butchery during the peak Christmas season. Note that pork butchery is no longer part of this scheme.
2026 Quota and Approved Scheme Operators
The Seasonal Worker Scheme operates on an annual quota system. For 2026, the UK government has confirmed a slight reduction from 2025 levels as part of efforts to encourage sector automation and domestic workforce development.
How Many Seasonal Worker Visas Are Available in 2026?
For 2026, the UK has allocated 42,900 Seasonal Worker visas: 41,000 for horticulture and 1,900 for poultry production. This represents a small reduction from the 45,000 visas available in 2025 (43,000 horticulture, 2,000 poultry).
Approved Scheme Operators
Unlike other work visas where individual employers can sponsor workers directly, Seasonal Worker visas require sponsorship through approved scheme operators. These operators are licensed by the Home Office and endorsed by Defra. You cannot obtain a Seasonal Worker visa without going through one of these approved operators.
- Agri HR
- Concordia
- Fruitful Jobs
- HOPS Labour Solutions
- Pro-Force
- AG Recruitment
- Fruitful Jobs
To find seasonal work, you should contact these scheme operators directly or apply through their recruitment platforms. They handle the sponsorship requirements and issue your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Eligibility Requirements for Seasonal Worker Visa UK
To qualify for a Seasonal Worker Visa, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. There is no English language requirement for this visa, making it accessible to workers from any nationality.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
- Age: Must be 18 years or older at the time of application
- Sponsorship: Valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved scheme operator
- Maintenance funds: £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless sponsor certifies this)
- TB certificate: Required if applying from a listed country
- Criminal record certificate: May be requested for certain roles
- Apply from outside UK: You cannot switch to this visa from inside the UK
What is the Minimum Wage for Seasonal Agricultural Workers?
From April 2025, seasonal agricultural workers must be paid at least £12.21 per hour (the National Living Wage). Poultry butchers and dressers under SOC codes 5431 and 5433 must receive £15.88 per hour. All workers are guaranteed a minimum of 32 hours paid work per week, and zero-hours contracts are not permitted.
Employment contracts must be provided in both English and the worker's first language. For detailed information about wage rates across all sectors, see the official National Minimum Wage rates.
Duration and Visa Conditions
Important rule changes took effect from 11 November 2025, affecting how long horticulture workers can stay and when they can return for subsequent seasons.
What is the Cooling Off Period for Seasonal Workers?
From November 2025, horticulture workers must observe a 4-month cooling off period before returning to the UK as a seasonal worker. If your Certificate of Sponsorship start date falls less than 4 months after you were last in the UK as a seasonal worker, your application will be refused.
Visa Conditions and Restrictions
The Seasonal Worker Visa comes with strict conditions. Violating these can result in visa cancellation and re-entry bans:
- Work only in sponsored role: You must work in the job described on your CoS
- No second jobs: You cannot take additional employment
- No self-employment: Running your own business is not permitted
- No public funds: You cannot access benefits or welfare
- No dependants: You cannot bring family members on this visa
- No settlement: This visa does not lead to permanent residence
- Cannot switch: You cannot switch to another visa category from within the UK
How to Apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa UK
The application process requires several steps, starting with securing a job offer through an approved scheme operator.
- Step 1: Apply to an approved scheme operator for a job placement
- Step 2: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) with role details
- Step 3: Complete the online visa application form on gov.uk
- Step 4: Pay the £319 visa fee (no IHS required for this visa)
- Step 5: Book and attend your biometrics appointment
- Step 6: Submit supporting documents (passport, TB test if required)
- Step 7: Wait for decision (typically 3 weeks)
Visa Fees and Processing Times
You can apply up to 3 months before your CoS start date and enter the UK up to 14 days before your employment begins. For current visa processing times, check the gov.uk website or contact your scheme operator.
- 2026 quota: 42,900 visas (41,000 horticulture + 1,900 poultry)
- Visa fee: £319 with 3-week standard processing
- Horticulture: 6 months in any 10-month rolling period, 4-month cooling off
- Poultry: 2 October - 31 December only, apply by 15 November
- Minimum wage: £12.21/hour (£15.88 for poultry butchers/dressers)
- No settlement pathway, no dependants, no switching in UK
For the official guidance and to start your application, visit the gov.uk Seasonal Worker visa page. For detailed eligibility rules, see the eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in the UK on a Seasonal Worker Visa?
From November 2025, horticulture workers can stay up to 6 months in any rolling 10-month period. Poultry workers can only work between 2 October and 31 December each year. The visa cannot be extended beyond these periods.
What is the cooling off period for seasonal workers?
Horticulture workers must wait 4 months after their last UK stay before returning as a seasonal worker. If your Certificate of Sponsorship start date falls less than 4 months after you were last in the UK, your visa application will be refused.
Can I bring my family on a Seasonal Worker Visa?
No, the Seasonal Worker Visa does not allow dependants. You cannot bring your spouse, partner, or children to the UK on this visa. This is a temporary visa for individual workers only.
What are the approved scheme operators for seasonal workers?
For horticulture: Agri HR, Concordia, Fruitful Jobs, HOPS Labour Solutions, and Pro-Force. For poultry: AG Recruitment and Fruitful Jobs. You must apply through one of these operators—individual farms cannot sponsor workers directly.
How much does the Seasonal Worker Visa cost in 2026?
The Seasonal Worker Visa costs £319. Priority service adds £500 (5 working days), and Super Priority adds £1,000 (next working day). There is no Immigration Health Surcharge for this visa category.
What is the minimum wage for seasonal agricultural workers?
From April 2025, the minimum wage is £12.21 per hour for horticulture and general poultry roles. Poultry butchers and dressers must receive £15.88 per hour. All workers are guaranteed at least 32 hours paid work per week, and zero-hours contracts are prohibited.
Can I switch employers while on a Seasonal Worker Visa?
You can only work for the employer and in the role specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship. However, your scheme operator may be able to place you with a different farm if circumstances change. Contact your operator if you have concerns about your placement.
Can I apply for settlement from a Seasonal Worker Visa?
No, the Seasonal Worker Visa has no pathway to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Time spent on this visa does not count towards the 5-year residence requirement for ILR. You cannot switch to another visa category from inside the UK—you must leave and apply from abroad if you wish to pursue a different immigration route.