UK Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme Five-year Extension

7 Mar

The United Kingdom has announced a five-year extension of its Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme, aimed at addressing labor shortages in the agricultural sector. This move ensures that farmers and food producers can continue hiring foreign workers on short-term contracts, facilitating timely harvests and maintaining food supply chains.

Visa Allocation and Duration

For 2025, the UK government has allocated 45,000 visas for seasonal employment. The majority 43,000 visas are designated for horticultural roles, such as fruit and vegetable picking, while 2,000 visas are reserved for poultry processing and related tasks. The latter category will be available between October 2nd and December 31st to meet peak seasonal demand. Workers under this scheme can remain in the UK for up to six months.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Seasonal Worker Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Secure a job offer from an approved scheme operator.
Be at least 18 years old.
Provide proof of having at least £1,270 in savings to support themselves upon arrival.

Additionally, visa holders cannot bring dependents to the UK.

Application Process

Prospective workers must first obtain employment through an approved recruitment agency. Upon securing a job, they will receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) a key requirement for the visa application. The next steps involve:

Submitting an online visa application.
Paying a £264 application fee.
Attending a biometrics appointment.

Visa processing typically takes around three weeks.

Concerns Over Worker Rights

Despite the visa scheme extension, concerns remain regarding worker rights and potential exploitation. Many seasonal workers are tied to specific employers, making it difficult to leave unsafe or exploitative work environments. Kate Roberts, Head of Policy at Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX), voiced these concerns:

"Seasonal Worker Visa holders currently have no realistic way to challenge poor working conditions, wage theft, or sexual harassment in the workplace."

To mitigate risks, workers are encouraged to seek employment through reputable scheme operators and be aware of their rights. Under current rules, visa holders can only work for the sponsoring employer, limiting flexibility in case of disputes.

Balancing Labor Needs and Ethical Employment

The extension of the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme reflects the UK’s efforts to address labor shortages while balancing worker rights. While the program provides employment opportunities for foreign workers and supports agricultural productivity, ensuring ethical treatment and fair labor practices remains a key challenge.

Moving forward, continued oversight and potential reforms could help improve working conditions, ensuring that seasonal employment in the UK remains both viable and just for all involved.

Need Help?

If you need expert legal advice or guidance, we are more than happy to help you at Tulia.

Please use the following link to book a consultation with us CLICK HERE

At Tulia, we believe that everyone deserves to have a safe and welcoming place to call home. We are committed to helping migrants settle well in the UK and to achieve their full potential. Don’t forget to share this article!

Here is how you can connect with us:

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Rumbi Bvunzawabaya