The Seasonal Worker visa lets you come to the UK for up to 6 months to work in horticulture (picking and packing crops) or poultry production. This 2026 guide covers who can apply, pay, the fee, how to apply through an approved operator, and the key limits.
What is it?
It’s a temporary route with two strands: horticulture (open all year) and poultry (October–December only). You can stay up to 6 months and must work for an approved scheme operator’s growers.
Pay
- Most horticulture and poultry roles — at least £12.21 per hour, with a minimum of 32 paid hours a week;
- Poultry butchers and dressers — at least £15.88 per hour (a pro-rated £38,700 on a 48-hour week).
Cost
From 8 April 2026 the fee is £340, with no Immigration Health Surcharge because the visa doesn’t exceed 6 months.
How to apply
You apply directly to an approved scheme operator for a placement — not to individual farms — and they issue your Certificate of Sponsorship. You can apply for the visa up to 3 months before your start date. For poultry, apply by 15 November each year.
Important limits
This is not a route to settlement, and you can’t bring dependants. If you want a longer-term work route, look at the Skilled Worker visa instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Seasonal Worker visa?
A temporary visa to work for up to 6 months in UK horticulture or poultry production.
How do I apply?
Through an approved scheme operator (not individual farms), up to 3 months before your start date.
How much does the Seasonal Worker visa cost?
£340 from 8 April 2026, with no IHS because the stay is 6 months or less.
What pay can I expect?
At least £12.21 an hour for most roles (32+ hours a week); poultry butchers and dressers at least £15.88 an hour.
Can I bring family or settle?
No — it’s not a route to settlement and you can’t bring dependants.
When can I apply for poultry work?
Poultry runs October to December — apply by 15 November each year; horticulture is open all year.
