UK Extends Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme For 5 Years

The United Kingdom government has extended the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme for five years, allowing farmers and food producers to continue hiring foreign workers on short-term contracts.

The UK said 45,000 visas will be allocated for seasonal employment. Of these, 43,000 will be designated for horticulture roles such as fruit and vegetable picking, while 2,000 will be reserved for poultry processing and related tasks.

The visas will be available between October 2nd and December 31st. Only workers employed by approved scheme operators will be eligible.

Under the revised framework, seasonal workers can now stay in the UK for up to six months. Initially set to conclude in 2021, the scheme was previously extended until 2024 at the request of the National Farmers Union (NFU).

In order to qualify for the Seasonal Worker Visa, applicants must have secured a job offer through an approved scheme operator, be 18 years old and above, provide proof of at least £1,270 in savings to support themselves upon arrival.

Aspiring workers must first secure employment through an approved recruitment agency before applying to this scheme.

Once hired, they will receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a mandatory requirement for the visa application.

Applicants must then submit their visa application online, pay a fee of £264, and attend a biometrics appointment. Processing times generally take about three weeks.

However, seasonal worker visa holders are not permitted to bring dependents to the UK.