Other Visa
Seasonal Worker Visa 2026
Work in UK horticulture or poultry sectors for up to 6 months. Must be sponsored by a licensed operator.
Application fee
£298
NHS surcharge
N/A
Processing time
3 weeks
Who is eligible?
- Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed scheme operator (not a direct employer)
- Work must be in horticulture (fruit/vegetable picking) or poultry processing
- Maximum 6-month stay in any 12-month period
How to apply — step by step
- 1Apply through a licensed scheme operator — you cannot apply directly. Operators include HOPS, Concordia, AG Recruitment, and others
- 2The operator provides your Certificate of Sponsorship
- 3Apply online at gov.uk/seasonal-worker-visa
- 4Pay £298 fee; no Immigration Health Surcharge for this visa
Key requirements at a glance
- Certificate of Sponsorship from licensed operator
- Work in horticulture or poultry
- Max 6 months stay
Frequently asked questions
Can a Seasonal Worker visa lead to permanent residence?▾
No — this is a temporary visa with no path to settlement. If you want to stay in the UK long-term, you would need to apply for a different visa category (such as Skilled Worker).
How much can I earn on a Seasonal Worker visa?▾
UK minimum wage applies: £11.44/hour (2026 for workers over 21). Seasonal work can involve long hours during harvest season, so total earnings can be significant over 6 months.
Next steps
Official application
Apply for the Seasonal Worker Visa on GOV.UK
All visa applications are processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) via the official gov.uk website.
Apply on GOV.UK