Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK
The Seasonal Worker Visa is for individuals who wish to visit the UK for a limited period to undertake specific seasonal employment opportunities. People who work in industries such as gardening and farming often take this route during periods of high demand.
Our immigration experts are here to help you if you want to know more about asking for a Seasonal Worker Visa, including how to make sure you meet the requirements and finish your application. Contact our team immediately for clear and helpful assistance. You can contact us by calling +2080162308 or using our online form.
The Seasonal Worker Visa is for individuals who wish to visit the UK for a limited period to undertake specific seasonal employment opportunities. People who work in industries such as gardening and farming often take this route during periods of high demand.
Our immigration experts are here to help you if you want to know more about asking for a Seasonal Worker Visa, including how to make sure you meet the requirements and finish your application. Contact our team immediately for clear and helpful assistance. You can contact us by calling +2080162308 or using our online form.
What is the Seasonal Worker Visa for the UK?
Foreign workers can come to the UK for a short period to take on seasonal jobs in specific industries with the UK Seasonal Worker Visa, a short-term visa option. Under the UK’s new Immigration Rules, this method replaced the Temporary Worker–Seasonal Worker Visa (T5). “Appendix Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker” lists all the legal standards for this visa.
The Seasonal Worker Visa is currently divided into two main categories: one is for jobs in the UK’s gardening sector, and the other is for employment in chicken farming. As part of this visa, individuals can pick and pack fruits and vegetables, work on farms, and perform other summer farm-related tasks, including chicken processing.
A certain number of Seasonal Worker Visas can be issued each year. The government has set a limit of 43,000 visas for vegetable jobs and an extra 2,000 for chicken jobs for 2025. Many farms and factories in the UK require seasonal workers to meet demand during peak harvest or production periods. This visa route is very important for their businesses.
This visa can only be used to hire individuals who are licensed scheme owners and have been accepted under the Seasonal Worker Method. It’s important to understand that this is only a temporary visa; it doesn’t mean you can live or work in the UK permanently. When a worker’s visa expires, they must leave the UK. If they meet the standards, they can apply for summer work again in the future.
- A Seasonal Worker Visa is only granted to individuals who are at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- You’ll need a valid sponsorship letter from a licensed UK sponsor.
- You must have sufficient funds to support yourself, typically at least £1,270 in savings.
- Your employer is responsible for ensuring that your job complies with UK laws on pay and working hours.
- If you don’t meet these requirements, your visa application will be refused.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship is not a paper document, it’s a reference number with your job and personal details.
- You must include this certificate number in your visa application.
- The certificate is valid for three months from the date of issue and can only be used once.
- You must show you’ve had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days.
- The final day of these 28 days must be within 31 days of your application date.
- If your sponsor agrees to cover your first month’s costs (up to £1,270), you may not need to provide proof of this money.
- The “sponsor certifies maintenance” section of your Certificate of Sponsorship must clearly state if your sponsor is covering your living costs.
- Always read the official government guidance for full details on how to prove you have enough money.
You’ll need to submit specific documents to support your application for a Seasonal Worker Visa.
- You need a proof of support reference number, which you can obtain from a friend or family member. You’ll need a current passport or another government-issued ID that confirms your identity and nationality.
- If your sponsor does not agree to cover your stay, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself, typically with recent bank statements.
- Make sure your passport or travel document has at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
- This applies even if you hold a special travel document, such as one for a stateless person, which must have space for a visa.
- All your documents must be in English or Welsh, except for your passport.
- If any documents are in a language other than English, you must include a certified translation of them.
- After you apply, the Home Office may request additional documents, so be prepared to provide more if needed.
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You must fill out an online application on the official Gov.uk website to apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa. You’ll need to provide your personal information and share all the necessary supporting documents as part of the process.
You will also need to provide proof of your identity. Depending on your passport and country of origin, you may need to go to a visa application centre to provide your biometric information, which includes fingerprints and a picture, or you may be able to use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app to scan your papers and prove who you are.
They may need to keep your passport and other documents while your application is being processed if you need to visit a visa application centre. When you start your application, you’ll be told exactly what you need to do. Make sure you carefully follow the steps to avoid any delays.
If you have a child in the UK
If you have a child in the UK while holding a Seasonal Worker Visa, the child will not automatically become a British citizen. You’ll need to apply online for a visa for your child as your dependent to bring them into and out of the UK. You need to show a full UK birth record for each child that includes the names of both parents.
Fees and Processing Time for the Seasonal Worker Visa
To obtain a Seasonal Worker Visa, you must pay £319. You should hear back within three weeks after completing your online application, providing proof of your identity, and uploading all supporting documents.
Remember that you can only apply for this visa three months before the start of your job. Refer to your Certificate of Sponsorship to determine when your job is scheduled to start. Please review this information carefully before submitting your application.
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The Seasonal Worker Visa is only suitable for a limited period and can’t be extended. You can stay in the UK for up to six months a year if you work in gardening. If your job is to raise chickens, it has to be between October 2nd and December 31st of every year.
Most of the time, there is also a six-month cooling-off phase. When your visa runs out, you’ll have to leave the UK and wait at least six months before you can apply for another Seasonal Worker Visa.
Before you can apply for a UK Seasonal Worker Visa, you need to have a legal Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a company that is allowed to hire you. Your sponsor’s name must be on the Home Office’s official list of approved sponsors who have an A-rated licence.
The boss must also have a current licence from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and be approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
You can’t obtain your Certificate of Sponsorship more than three months before applying for a Seasonal Worker Visa. To avoid delays or rejections, ensure that your CoS is current and contains all the necessary information about your job and work dates.
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ISUK can guide you through every step of your Seasonal Worker Visa application. Our experienced immigration team will clearly explain the requirements, help you gather and prepare the necessary documents, verify your Certificate of Sponsorship details, and ensure that your financial evidence meets Home Office standards. We’ll also communicate with your sponsor if needed and support you in responding to any additional information requests from the Home Office, giving you the best chance of a smooth and successful application.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa?
To be eligible for a Seasonal Worker Visa, you must be at least 18 years old when you apply and have a valid sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor.
How much money do I need to show in my bank account?
You usually need to prove you have at least £1,270 in savings. This amount must have been in your account for 28 days in a row, and the last day of this period must be within 31 days of the date you apply.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship isn’t a physical document; it’s a reference number containing information about you and your job. You must include this number in your visa application. It can only be used once and is valid for three months from the date it’s issued.
Who ensures my job meets UK laws?
Your employer (sponsor) is responsible for making sure your job follows all UK rules for pay, working hours, and conditions.
What documents are required for my application?
You’ll need a valid passport or other government-issued identification, proof of funds (such as recent bank statements) if your sponsor isn’t covering your stay, and any supporting documents in English or Welsh (or with a certified translation if they’re in another language).
Does my passport need an empty page?
Yes, your passport or travel document must have at least one blank page for your visa sticker. This applies even if you’re using a special travel document, like one for a stateless person.
What if the Home Office requests additional documents?
After you submit your application, the Home Office might request extra documents or information. Ensure you respond promptly and provide any additional details they ask for to avoid delays.
