The UK government has announced plans to issue 45,000 seasonal worker visas in 2025.
This initiative aims to support the nation’s food production by ensuring sufficient workforce availability during peak demand periods hereby addressing labour shortages in its agricultural and poultry sectors,
The seasonal worker visa scheme is intended to provide a temporary labour force for essential roles in food production.
Additionally, 2,000 visas will be granted to poultry workers for processing tasks between October and December.
This allocation, reports inform, is part of a broader strategy to provide businesses with the workforce needed during peak seasons.
Eligibility criteria for seasonal worker visa applicants
Applicants for the Seasonal Worker visa must meet specific eligibility requirements. They must be; at least 18 years old, have a valid sponsorship from a licensed UK employer and meet the necessary health and safety standards for the job.
Applicants must also provide evidence of sufficient funds for their stay and have valid health insurance coverage. Importantly, visa holders are required to leave the UK when their employment period ends and cannot change their visa type while in the country.
Available roles and how to apply
The Seasonal Worker visa applies to a variety of roles within the horticulture and poultry sectors. In horticulture, workers may be tasked with duties such as planting, pruning, weeding, harvesting, and packing produce.
Poultry workers will typically be involved in tasks like feeding and caring for the birds, egg collection, processing, and other related duties.
To apply, candidates must secure a sponsorship certificate from a licensed UK employer.
Once sponsored, applicants can submit their visa application through the UK government’s online immigration portal.
Applications for poultry roles must be submitted by November 15 each year, while horticulture roles have year-round application windows.
