Seasonal Worker Visa UK Guide 2025 Explained

• Written by: LawSentis
• October 21, 2025
• Comments: (0)

The UK Seasonal Worker visa plays a crucial role in supporting the country’s food and agriculture sectors. It enables businesses to meet seasonal labour demands, particularly during peak production periods, while maintaining strict oversight by the Home Office. The scheme is tightly controlled, with annual visa caps and high compliance requirements. Only approved scheme operators can sponsor workers under this route; individual growers or producers cannot hold their own licence. Engaging workers outside the official scheme can lead to serious immigration violations.

This visa provides a short-term route for foreign nationals to work in specific seasonal roles, primarily in horticulture and poultry production. While it offers a valuable opportunity to gain UK work experience, it comes with strict eligibility rules, fixed durations, and limited rights. Workers must leave the UK when their visa expires, as this route does not lead to long-term settlement or extension options.

Worker welfare remains a major focus for the Home Office and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). Breaches such as poor living conditions, unpaid wages, or exploitation can result in investigation, suspension from the scheme, and potential criminal proceedings.

This guide explains the key features of the Seasonal Worker visa, its eligibility criteria, the application process, and the obligations of both workers and employers.

What is the UK Seasonal Worker Visa

The Seasonal Worker visa allows foreign nationals to undertake temporary employment in specific agricultural and poultry roles in the UK. It replaced the previous Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker (T5) visa and now operates under Appendix Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker of the Immigration Rules.

The visa operates through approved scheme operators who hold sponsor licences and match workers with UK employers. Individual farms or producers cannot directly sponsor workers.

There are two subcategories under this route:

• Horticulture sector: for roles such as picking fruit, vegetables, or flowers, packing, and processing.

• Poultry production sector: for roles such as processing, catching, or packing poultry during the peak Christmas season.

For 2025, the Home Office quota is 45,000 places – 43,000 for horticulture and 2,000 for poultry – subject to annual review. Only the number of places allocated by the government each year can be filled.

This visa remains strictly temporary. It does not provide a route to permanent residence. Workers can stay for a maximum of six months in any 12-month period.

Horticulture Sector

Foreign nationals aged 18 or over can come to the UK for up to six months to work in horticulture. There is no fixed season; applicants may arrive at any time of year depending on the job offer.

Eligible job types include:

• Field and protected vegetables

• Soft and top fruits

• Mushrooms and bulbs

• Pot plants and cut flowers

• Hardy ornamental nursery stock

• Tree and forest nurseries

• Vines, bines, and other seasonal crop production

Poultry Production Sector

The poultry route applies to overseas nationals aged 18 or above who wish to work in poultry processing roles between 2 October and 31 December each year. Applications must normally be submitted by 15 November of the same year (deadlines may vary annually — check latest Home Office guidance).

Eligible roles include: butcher, bird dresser, plucker, poulterer, poultry processor, food operative, and poultry meat packer.

Eligibility Criteria

Employer Requirements

Only Home Office-approved scheme operators can sponsor Seasonal Workers. These operators must:

• Hold a valid A-rated sponsor licence

• Be endorsed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

• Hold a GLAA licence

Employers cannot pass sponsorship costs to workers. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee is £25, payable by the sponsor. Any attempt to recover this fee may result in licence revocation.

Minimum Pay Requirements (2025 rates — subject to annual review in April):

• Poultry butchers/dressers: at least £15.88 per hour (approx. £38,700 annual equivalent based on 48 hours per week).

• Other horticulture/poultry roles: at least £12.21 per hour for a minimum of 32 paid hours per week.

Employers must pay the higher of either the role-specific rate or the current National Living Wage. Employment contracts must be provided in both English and the worker’s first language. Zero-hours contracts are not permitted.

Worker Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be aged 18 or over.

• Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by an approved scheme operator.

• Have sufficient funds to support themselves – at least £1,270 for 28 consecutive days, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance.

Applicants may need to provide tuberculosis (TB) test results if residing in a listed country. A criminal record certificate may be requested for certain roles, though this is not always required.

Application Process

Applications must be made online from outside the UK. Switching into this route from within the UK is not permitted.

Steps:

1. Confirm eligibility and obtain a job offer from an approved scheme operator.

2. Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship.

3. Gather required documents (passport, proof of funds, health tests if applicable).

4. Complete the online application form and pay the visa fee.

5. Verify identity via the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app or visit a visa application centre.

6. Submit the application and await a decision.

Processing time: usually within 3 weeks after biometrics. Priority processing may be available in some countries.

Applicants can travel to the UK up to 14 days before their job start date.

Required Documents

• Valid passport (with a blank page for the visa)

• Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved operator

• Proof of funds (if maintenance not certified)

• TB test certificate (if required)

• Criminal record certificate (if requested)

• Biometric data (fingerprints and photo)

Any documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations.

Visa Cost and Duration

The visa cannot be extended. Workers must leave the UK when it expires but may apply again in future seasons if eligible.
All Home Office fees are subject to change — check the latest rates on GOV.UK.

Rights and Responsibilities of Seasonal Workers

Seasonal workers are entitled to the same core employment protections as UK workers, including:

• National Minimum or Living Wage

• Paid holiday leave (accrued based on hours worked)

• Statutory Sick Pay (if eligible)

• Protection from discrimination and unfair treatment

• Rest breaks and safe working conditions

Workers cannot:

• Stay beyond their visa expiry

• Take on additional or permanent work outside their sponsored role

• Bring dependants to the UK

Employer Obligations

Employers hosting Seasonal Workers must:

• Ensure contracts comply with UK employment law

• Provide safe, hygienic accommodation (where applicable)

• Maintain accurate pay and working-hour records

• Issue pay slips detailing earnings and deductions

• Report worker absences, early departures, or breaches to the Home Office

Failure to comply can result in suspension or revocation of the operator’s licence and possible civil or criminal penalties.

Summary

The Seasonal Worker visa provides a vital solution for UK employers facing seasonal labour shortages in the horticulture and poultry sectors. It enables overseas workers aged 18 and above to work temporarily in the UK for up to six months while ensuring strict compliance with immigration and labour laws.

Although it offers valuable experience, this route remains temporary and does not lead to settlement. Both employers and workers must understand their legal obligations to avoid penalties and ensure fair, lawful employment conditions.

How Lawsentis Can Help

At Lawsentis, we provide expert immigration guidance for UK businesses and foreign nationals navigating complex work visa routes, including the Seasonal Worker scheme. Our team advises on sponsor licensing, worker documentation, and Home Office reporting to help you stay fully compliant.

Whether you’re an employer seeking to hire seasonal staff or a worker preparing your visa application, our specialists ensure the process is efficient and lawful.

Contact Lawsentis today for professional assistance with UK visa applications, sponsor compliance, and immigration strategy.