The Seasonal Worker route is subject to an annual quota, which for 2025 is 45,000, divided between the horticulture sector and the poultry production sector. There are 43,000 visas for the horticulture sector and 2,000 for poultry production.
In order to apply for the Seasonal Worker visa you will need to have a sponsor and meet the eligibility requirements.You must be 18 or over when you apply and have both the following:
The employer must be licenced by the UK Home Office to sponsor seasonal workers under this visa category. This means the employer must be an A-rated approved scheme operator within either the UK’s horticultural or poultry production sector with:
Your employer must make sure your jobs pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work.
For the CoS to be valid, it must meet the relevant requirement set out in Appendix Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker. The employer must confirm the following in the CoS:
You must submit an application online from outside the UK. Applications cannot be made from inside the UK, as it is not possible to switch into this route.
As part of the application, you will need to prove your identity and provide your supporting documents either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attending a visa application centre.
The supporting documents include the following:
In some cases, the caseworker deciding the application may request additional documentation, depending on the circumstances.
If you have any documents that are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation of the documents.
The application fee is £298. Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
Once the application is the accepted, you will be allowed to stay in the UK for up to 6 months for horticulture work and from 2 October to 31 December each year for poultry work.
Whilst on this visa, you can do the following:
You cannot do the following:
Our team of immigration law in Central London and East London has years of experience in advising employers and workers on UK employment sponsorship under various routes. We will ensure that you are comprehensively advised and represented throughout the process.
Our solicitors help you identify the full range of requirements you must satisfy, documents you must submit, and details you must provide as a part of your visa application. We also help you fulfil all these essentials of the visa application before you apply.
A complete and accurate application helps you maximise your chances of success. It also ensures that you will get a quick decision from the Home Office. In the unfortunate event that your visa application is refused, our immigration law firm can also help you explore your options moving forward.
Get in touch with us today at 0207-100-0505 to schedule a free consultation with our solicitors.
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