Seasonal Worker Visa in the United Kingdom
Expert Legal Guidance for Short-Term Agricultural and Food Industry Roles
The Seasonal Worker Visa enables overseas nationals to work in the United Kingdom temporarily in the horticulture and poultry sectors. It supports farms and food producers during periods of peak demand while giving international workers access to valuable seasonal opportunities.
For legal advice on your application, contact Immigration Solicitors UK on 020 8016 2308 or use our online enquiry form.
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Expert Legal Guidance for Short-Term Agricultural and Food Industry Roles
The Seasonal Worker Visa enables overseas nationals to work in the United Kingdom temporarily in the horticulture and poultry sectors. It supports farms and food producers during periods of peak demand while giving international workers access to valuable seasonal opportunities.
For legal advice on your application, contact Immigration Solicitors UK on 020 8016 2308 or use our online enquiry form.
What the Seasonal Worker Visa Covers
This visa allows you to work in specific industries defined under Appendix Temporary Work Seasonal Worker of the UK Immigration Rules.
It includes:
- Horticulture work such as picking, planting, or processing fruit, vegetables, or flowers
- Poultry production work such as farm or processing employment during the winter season
This is a short-term visa only. It does not lead to settlement and holders must leave the UK when their authorised stay ends.
The Rolling 10 Rule
From November 2025, workers may spend a maximum of six months in any rolling 10-month period in the UK under this route.
Poultry Employment Window
For the 2025–2026 season, the poultry window runs strictly from 18 October to 31 December. Applications must be submitted by 15 November each year.
Cooling-Off Period
After each stay, applicants must remain outside the UK for at least four months before applying again under this visa.
Quota for 2026
The total allocation for 2026 is 42,900 places (41,000 for horticulture and 1,900 for poultry).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be 18 or over at the time of application
- Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-approved sponsor
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves unless maintenance is certified by the sponsor
- Meet suitability and immigration control requirements
If the sponsor agrees to cover your first month’s costs, proof of savings may not be required.
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A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record issued by an approved employer licensed by the Home Office and regulated by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
The certificate is valid for three months from issue and may be used only once. It includes your employment details, work dates, and maintenance information.
Required Documentation
When applying, you will need:
- A valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Proof of funds if maintenance is not certified by the sponsor
- Certified translations for any non-English or non-Welsh documents
The Home Office may request further documentation during processing.
Wage Compliance and Worker Welfare
Sponsors must guarantee a minimum of 32 hours of paid employment per week at no less than the UK National Minimum Wage, even when work is reduced by weather or operational disruption.
Each licensed sponsor must also comply with GLAA and DEFRA standards on worker welfare, housing, and travel. ISUK advises both workers and sponsors on compliance to prevent breaches that could affect future visa allocations.
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Applications are completed online on the UK Government website.
You will:
- Complete the application form and pay the government fee
- Upload supporting documents
- Verify your identity either through the UK Immigration ID Check app (for most EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens) or at a Visa Application Centre (for other nationals)
If you attend a Visa Application Centre, your passport may be retained while biometrics are processed.
Duration and Conditions
- Horticulture work: up to six months in any rolling 10-month period
- Poultry work: between 18 October and 31 December each year
- Cooling-off period: four months outside the UK before re-applying
Holders cannot work outside their sponsored role, access public funds, or take permanent employment.
Dependants
Seasonal Worker Visa holders are generally not permitted to bring dependants under this route.
If you have a child born in the UK during your stay, the child does not automatically become a British citizen. A separate application must be made for the child to enter or leave the UK as your dependent.
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Applications should be submitted no earlier than three months before the employment start date listed on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
The Home Office generally issues a decision within three weeks of receiving biometrics and documents.
Our team confirms the latest official fees and charges during consultation to ensure accuracy.
How Immigration Solicitors UK Can Help
We assist clients through each stage of the Seasonal Worker Visa process by:
- Checking eligibility and sponsorship details
- Reviewing financial and employment documents for compliance
- Liaising with sponsors and the Home Office where required
- Responding to requests for additional information
- Advising on re-application after the four-month cooling period
Our goal is to ensure that your visa is granted quickly and lawfully.
Why Choose Immigration Solicitors UK
We specialise in Volume Sponsorship Compliance for the Seasonal Worker scheme.
Our firm works with both individual workers and licensed scheme operators to ensure full compliance with GLAA regulations and the 2026 rolling-stay rules.
Every case is personally overseen by Rana Aslam Zia Khan, Director of Immigration Solicitors UK.
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we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
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For specialist advice on the Seasonal Worker Visa, contact our immigration team today.
Call 020 8016 2308 or submit our online form to book a consultation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa?
Applicants must be aged 18 or over and hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer.
What is the maximum time I can work in the UK?
Up to six months in any rolling 10-month period for horticulture roles, or from 18 October to 31 December for poultry roles.
Can I extend my visa or switch routes?
No. This is a temporary route only and cannot be extended or switched to another visa category from within the UK.
What is the cooling-off period?
You must remain outside the UK for four months before you can re-apply under this route.
What if the Home Office asks for extra documents?
Provide them promptly. Our team can handle all correspondence and ensure your response meets Home Office standards.
