UK Seasonal Worker Visa

This year, the UK government has extended the Seasonal Worker visa program until 2029. If you want to come to the UK for up to 6 months to work on farms, you may apply for this visa.

In this article, we will provide you with detailed information about the visa for seasonal worker in UK, including its requirements, eligibility criteria, and sponsorship rules.

Table of contents

• UK Seasonal Work Visa Explained
• Countries Eligible for the UK Seasonal Work Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK: Requirements
• Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK: Sponsorship Rules
• Documents Required to Apply for the UK Seasonal Work Visa
• UK Visa Photo Requirements
• Get a UK Visa Photo Online!
• UK Visa Photo App
• Can You Extend Your Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK?

UK Seasonal Work Visa Explained

What is Seasonal Work visa? – This scheme lets people from other countries come to the UK for short-term work in certain sectors. It offers UK seasonal worker visa jobs in:

• Horticulture: It is a work for up to 6 months in a year. Jobs include picking fruits and vegetables or growing flowers.
• Poultry: Seasonal work from October 2nd to December 31st every year, involving different stages of poultry production.

As a UK Seasonal Worker:

• You can only do the job listed in your certificate of sponsorship.
• You can study while your visa is valid.
• You can’t take any other job that is not listed in your certificate of sponsorship.
• Your job must be temporary.
• You can't bring your family members with you to the UK.
• You can’t apply to live in the UK permanently.
• You are not allowed to get public funds like benefits.

Countries Eligible for the UK Seasonal Work Visa

Applicants from any country can apply for the UK Seasonal Worker Visa for unskilled jobs as long as they meet the requirements.

Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK: Requirements

With the UK Seasonal Worker Visa route extended for five years, thousands of new visas will be available annually in the horticulture and poultry sectors. To qualify for the Seasonal Worker visa, you must:

• Be 18 or older.
• Have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) reference number from a UK employer. A CoS is an electronic document you get from your UK sponsor (employer). The CoS is valid for three months and can only be used once.
• Have at least £1,270 to support yourself. This money must be available for at least 28 days before you apply. If your UK sponsor will support you instead, you don't need this money. In this case, your certificate of sponsorship must say that your UK employer will cover your first month’s costs of at least £1,270.
• Have a job offer in horticulture.

To apply for the UK Seasonal Worker Visa, you will need to secure UK seasonal jobs for foreigners, apply for the job online, pay the visa fee, and provide your passport and biometrics.

Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK: Sponsorship Rules

To apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa, you need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. This CoS must be issued by a sponsor who:

• Is listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors.
• Has an endorsement from the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs for the Seasonal Worker route.
• Is licensed by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.
• Your CoS must be issued no more than 3 months before your visa application date. For poultry production jobs, you must apply on or before November 15th each year.

Your sponsor must guarantee a minimum seasonal worker visa UK salary of £10.10 per hour of work. The sponsor may also grant you a multiple-entry CoS, which allows you to leave and return to the UK.

Documents Required to Apply for the UK Seasonal Work Visa

When you apply for the UK Seasonal Work Visa, you will need the following documents:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) serial number from your sponsor.
• Bank statement showing you have enough funds unless your sponsor is covering your costs.
• Valid international passport with enough blank pages for your visa.
• Certified translation for any documents not in English or Welsh.

UK Visa Photo Requirements

Your UK visa application photo must meet these criteria:

• The photo must be in colour.
• Size should be 35×45 mm.
• Background must be plain and light, such as light blue, grey, or beige – not white.
• You must look straight at the camera with your eyes clearly visible.
• You can wear prescription glasses, but they must not be tinted or cover your face.
• Religious headwear is allowed if you wear it regularly and it does not cover your face.
• Your face must be in the centre of the photo and take up 70-80% of the image.
• Your facial expression should be neutral, with no smiles or frowns.

Here is an example of UK visa photo:

Get a UK Visa Photo Online!

Need a UK visa photo quickly and easily? Visafoto.com is here to help! Since 2013, Visafoto has assisted people in getting photos for various documents like visas, passports, and IDs, boasting a 99.7% approval rate.

Here's how it works: Find a spot with good lighting and stand against a plain white background. Take a picture of yourself. Upload your photo to Visafoto.com.

Visafoto will instantly adjust the photo to meet UK visa requirements, including background, size, and format. You'll receive both a digital photo and a printable template. If you're not happy with the result, we offer a full refund.

First, take a photo of yours under daylight like this:

After resizing, your will get a photo for online submission like this one:

UK Visa Photo App

For an even easier experience, try the 7ID App by Visafoto.com, available for both iPhone and Android devices.

Using the 7ID App is simple: Upload your photo. Choose the document type and country. The app will automatically adjust your photo to meet official UK visa requirements, including size, format, and background color. You'll also get a digital file and a printable template.

For the best results, use 7ID's Expert Tool. It uses advanced algorithms to perfect your photos, regardless of the background. If you need help, our technical support team is available 24/7.

Can You Extend Your Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK?

No, you cannot extend your UK Seasonal Worker Visa. The maximum stay allowed on this visa is 6 months. You also cannot switch to a different type of visa while in the UK. Once your visa expires, you must leave the country.

If an employer wants to hire you through the skilled worker route, you must leave the UK and apply from your home country.

Get professional visa photos from anywhere in the world in just a few clicks with Visafoto.com and the 7ID app!