Seasonal farm jobs in UK with visa sponsorship are one of the few legal ways for overseas workers without degrees to work in Britain. The Seasonal Worker visa lets you pick and pack fruit, vegetables and flowers for up to six months in any 10-month period, or work in poultry production between 2 October and 31 December.
The route is run only through Home Office-approved scheme operators. For 2026 GOV.UK lists AGRI-HR, Concordia (UK) Ltd, Fruitful Jobs, HOPS Labour Solutions, Pro-Force and RE Recruitment (poultry only). The 2026 quota is 41,000 horticulture places and 1,900 poultry places. A scheme operator will never ask you to pay for a visa.
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This guide covers pay, roles, operators and steps. Compare with Factory Worker Jobs in UK With Visa Sponsorship Immediate Start and Warehouse Worker Jobs in UK With Visa Sponsorship No Experience Needed.
In this guide
Seasonal Farm Worker Jobs in UK at a Glance
| Role | Country | Typical pay | Visa / permit route | Key requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit and vegetable picker | UK | £12.71+/hr | Seasonal Worker visa (horticulture) | Scheme operator CoS | Workers 18+ |
| Packhouse worker | UK | £12.71+/hr | Seasonal Worker visa | Scheme operator CoS | Indoor work |
| Poultry processor | UK | Sector rates | Seasonal Worker (poultry, Oct–Dec) | Apply by 15 November | Food processing workers |
1. Types of Seasonal Farm Worker Jobs in UK
These are the main seasonal farm worker roles employers advertise in UK, from entry level to roles that may qualify for sponsorship.
Soft fruit picker
Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries under polytunnels in Kent, Herefordshire, Scotland and the West Midlands.
Top fruit picker
Apples, pears and cherries in orchards.
Field vegetable worker
Lettuce, brassicas, potatoes and herbs.
Flowers and ornamentals
Daffodils, bulbs, pot plants and Christmas trees.
Poultry production
Plucking, processing and packing poultry in the run-up to Christmas.
2. Seasonal Farm Worker Salary in UK for 2026
The Seasonal Worker rules require horticulture workers to be paid at least £12.71 for each hour worked, and operators state that workers are guaranteed at least 32 hours of pay each week.
| Level | Hourly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horticulture picker | £12.71+ | — | Piece-rate bonuses possible |
| Packhouse operative | £12.71+ | — | Shift work |
| Experienced team leader | £13–£15 | — | Indicative |
| Poultry roles | Set by CoS | — | Butcher roles have separate rules |
Sources: GOV.UK Seasonal Worker visa and Immigration Rules Appendix Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker.
3. Work Visas for Foreign Seasonal Farm Workers in UK – Visa Types
The Seasonal Worker visa in brief:
| Visa / route | Who it’s for | Employer needed? | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Worker – horticulture | Up to 6 months in any 10 months | Yes – scheme operator | Official page |
| Seasonal Worker – poultry | 2 Oct–31 Dec; apply by 15 Nov | Yes – scheme operator | Official page |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | Farm work without sponsorship | No | Official page |
4. Companies Offering Visa Sponsored Seasonal Farm Worker Jobs – Where to Check Vacancies
The approved scheme operators listed on GOV.UK for 2026 (the only sponsors for this route):
| Employer | What they do | Official careers page |
|---|---|---|
| AGRI-HR | Horticulture operator; UK office: 2 Wyevale Business Park, Kings Acre, Hereford HR4 7BS | www.agri-hr.com |
| Concordia (UK) Ltd | Horticulture operator; recruits via listed approved recruiters only | www.concordia.org.uk/seasonal-work/information-for-workers |
| Fruitful Jobs | Horticulture operator | www.fruitfuljobs.com/seasonal-worker-scheme |
| HOPS Labour Solutions | Horticulture operator; Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7US | www.hopslaboursolutions.com/sws |
| Pro-Force Limited | Horticulture operator | www.pro-force.co.uk |
| RE Recruitment | Poultry operator only (Oct–Dec) | www.rerecruitment.com/seasonal-worker-scheme |
Before applying, search each company’s legal name on the Register of Licensed Sponsors. If it is not on the register, it cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.
5. Employment Agencies to Find Opportunities – International Recruitment
These recruitment agencies and official job boards are real and verifiable. Contact them only through the websites below; we list websites rather than phone numbers because official sites always carry the latest office contacts.
| Agency / service | Focus | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK seasonal work guidance | Official list of operators | www.gov.uk/guidance/seasonal-work-on-farms-guidance-for-workers |
| DWP Find a job | For people with UK work rights | findajob.dwp.gov.uk |
| Action Fraud | Report fake agents | www.actionfraud.police.uk |
Legitimate agencies are paid by employers. In the UK, agencies are generally prohibited from charging work-seekers a fee for finding them work.
6. Requirements and Documents for Seasonal Farm Worker Visa Applications
Missing or inconsistent documents cause most refusals. Prepare these before your CoS is assigned:
- Valid passport.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from a licensed sponsor — the employer assigns it; you never buy it.
- English at B2 level for most new Skilled Worker applicants (from 8 January 2026) via an approved SELT, unless exempt.
- TB test certificate if your country is on the UK TB test list.
- Savings of £1,270 held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance.
- Criminal record certificates where the job requires them (care, health, education).
- Qualification certificates and certified translations.
- Seasonal workers do not need to prove English or a skill level, but must show they can support themselves (unless the operator certifies maintenance).
Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge change regularly — check the official fees table on the day you apply.
7. Steps to Get Seasonal Farm Worker Visa Sponsorship and How to Apply
- Confirm the job is eligible in the eligible occupations list. If its SOC code is ineligible, no employer can sponsor it.
- Shortlist licensed sponsors using the Register of Licensed Sponsors.
- Prepare a UK-style CV (two pages, no photo, measurable results, your visa position stated clearly).
- Apply through official channels: employer careers pages, NHS Jobs, DWP Find a job or a verifiable agency.
- Interview and checks: competency interview, references and any registration checks.
- Receive your CoS. The sponsor pays the licence and Immigration Skills Charge; these costs must not be passed to you.
- Apply online on GOV.UK, pay the fee and surcharge, and attend biometrics.
- Activate your eVisa before travelling.
8. Permanent Residence (Settlement) Pathways for Seasonal Farm Workers
The UK has no Express Entry-style PR draw. You build lawful residence on a qualifying route, then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The Seasonal Worker visa is not a route to settlement, and partners and children cannot come as dependants.
| Pathway | Qualifying period | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker → ILR | 5 years continuous lawful residence (current rule) | gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain |
| Health and Care Worker → ILR | 5 years; salary and sponsor rules still apply | gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa |
| Global Talent → ILR | 3 or 5 years | gov.uk/global-talent |
| ILR → British citizenship | Usually 12 months after ILR + Life in the UK test | gov.uk/becoming-a-british-citizen |
| Seasonal Worker / Youth Mobility | Not settlement routes | gov.uk/youth-mobility |
2026 update: proposals to raise the standard qualifying period from five to ten years (“earned settlement”) had not become law by October 2026, so the five-year rule still applies. B2 English for many settlement applications starts on 26 March 2027.
9. Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
Use this checklist to confirm you can meet the rules for seasonal farm worker roles before you apply:
- Aged 18 or over.
- CoS from an approved scheme operator.
- Funds or operator maintenance certification.
- No dependants on this route.
- You must leave the UK when your visa ends.
- Each operator recruits only from specific countries — check the operator’s own page; operators list their approved local agents on their websites.
10. Applying at the Embassy – Work Visa Verification and Embassy Contacts
UK visas are applied for online; biometrics are taken at a Home Office-appointed visa application centre, not at the embassy. Embassies never sell jobs or pre-approve sponsorship.
- British embassies and high commissions: gov.uk/world/embassies.
- UKVI contact centre: 0300 790 6268 (+44 300 790 6268 from abroad) — official contact page.
- Verify the employer on the sponsor register and call the number on its official website.
- Verify the CoS: the job title, SOC code and salary must match your written offer.
- Verify advisers on the official immigration adviser finder.
- Report fraud to Action Fraud.
11. Mistakes to Avoid During the Process – Immigration Errors
- Paying anyone for a CoS, job offer or “embassy letter” — selling a CoS is illegal.
- Applying for an ineligible SOC code or accepting pay below the threshold or going rate.
- Trying to work on a Visitor visa.
- Fake English certificates or bank statements, which can lead to a 10-year ban.
- Paying a local agent who claims to represent a scheme operator — apply directly to the operator.
12. Settlement Benefits and Relocation Planning
Sponsored workers get the same rights as British workers: at least the National Living Wage (£12.71/hour from April 2026), 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday, sick pay, a workplace pension and NHS access. Dependants are allowed on degree-level Skilled Worker roles but not on medium-skilled shortage-list roles.
| First-month cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee + health surcharge | Check official fees | Some sponsors reimburse |
| Rent deposit | Up to 5 weeks’ rent (England) | Must be protected in a government scheme |
| Council Tax, energy, transport | Varies by region | Budget one month before first payslip |
| Bank account, NI number | Free | Use your eVisa share code |
| Farm accommodation (shared caravan/mobile home) | Around £77.70/week (operator guidance) | Deducted from pay where agreed |
Official Websites to Apply for Sponsorship Visas
- Skilled Worker visa – GOV.UK
- Health and Care Worker visa – GOV.UK
- Register of Licensed Sponsors
- DWP Find a job
- NHS Jobs
FAQs: Seasonal Farm Worker Jobs in UK With Visa Sponsorship
Who sponsors UK seasonal farm workers?
Only approved scheme operators. For 2026, GOV.UK lists AGRI-HR, Concordia, Fruitful Jobs, HOPS Labour Solutions, Pro-Force and RE Recruitment (poultry only).
How much do UK seasonal workers earn?
At least £12.71 for each hour worked in horticulture from April 2026, with a guaranteed minimum of paid hours per week set by the rules.
How long can I stay?
Up to six months in any 10-month period for horticulture, or 2 October to 31 December for poultry.
Can I bring my family?
No. Dependants are not allowed on the Seasonal Worker route.
Is there a quota?
Yes. For 2026 it is 41,000 horticulture places and 1,900 poultry places.
Do I need English?
There is no formal English test for this visa, but basic English helps with safety and instructions.
Can I switch to another visa?
Generally no. The route does not lead to settlement and most switching from inside the UK is not allowed.
Do scheme operators charge fees?
GOV.UK states that a scheme operator will not ask you to pay money in exchange for a visa.
Conclusion
Seasonal farm jobs in UK with visa sponsorship are real, legal and quota-based. Apply only through the GOV.UK-listed scheme operators, check your guaranteed hours and pay, and plan to return home when the season ends.
Next, read Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship and Weekly Pay, or browse all Agriculture & Farm guides and Jobs in UK.
Disclaimer: ConvertKind Jobs publishes independent career guides. We are not an employer, recruiter, immigration adviser or law firm, and we never charge fees. Nothing here guarantees a job, sponsorship or visa. Rules, salary thresholds and fees change often, so always confirm on the official government website before you apply.