UK Seasonal Work Visa Sponsorship Jobs: Your Step-by-Step Application Guide
Job Description
If you’re considering working in the UK for a few months, the UK Seasonal Worker Visa offers a practical way to gain experience, earn money, and discover British life. In 2025, the UK continues to welcome overseas workers to fill vital seasonal roles in agriculture, horticulture, and related sectors.
This guide explains everything in clear, simple language—how the visa works, how to apply, and where to find approved sponsors.
What is the UK Seasonal Worker Visa?
The UK Seasonal Worker Visa is part of the Temporary Worker immigration category. It allows people from outside the UK to take up short-term seasonal jobs such as:
- Farming and harvesting fruit, vegetables, and flowers
- Horticulture work in nurseries and greenhouses
- Poultry production during busy periods (like the winter holidays)
With this visa, you can stay in the UK for up to 6 months within any 12-month period. However, this route does not lead to settlement or permanent residence.
 UK Government Seasonal Worker Visa Overview
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor
- Be offered a role in an approved sector (like agriculture or horticulture)
- Show you have at least £1,270 in savings (unless your sponsor agrees to cover your costs)
- Hold a valid passport
- Pay the visa fee
- Meet standard UK immigration rules
Benefits of the Seasonal Worker Visa
This visa gives you:
- The legal right to live and work in the UK for up to 6 months
- Guaranteed minimum pay and safe working conditions
- Valuable international work experience
- The chance to enjoy rural and peaceful areas
- The possibility to reapply in future seasons
What Is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic reference number issued by your UK employer. It’s not a physical certificate—it’s recorded in the UK government’s system.
Your CoS includes:
- Your personal details
- Your job title, duties, and location
- Employment dates
- Pay and conditions
Without a CoS, you cannot apply for this visa. Only organizations licensed by the UK Home Office can issue them.
 UK Home Office Sponsorship Information
What Types of Seasonal Work Are Available?
Seasonal roles are mostly in:
- Fruit & vegetable picking: Working on farms across England, Scotland, and Wales
- Nursery jobs: Planting, tending, and harvesting crops in greenhouses
- Garden centres: Packing and preparing plants for sale
- Poultry farming: Supporting production during peak periods like Christmas
List of Licensed Seasonal Worker Visa Sponsors
Here are some UK government-approved sponsors who recruit seasonal workers:
1. AG Recruitment and Management Ltd
- Specializes in fruit and vegetable farm jobs
- Operates nationwide
- Provides training and accommodation support
AG Recruitment – Official Site
2. Pro-Force Limited
- Recruits for horticulture and poultry sectors
- Places workers in farms, glasshouses, and packhouses
Pro-Force Limited
3. Fruitful Jobs Limited
- Offers roles in fruit picking, packing, and general farm work
- Supports travel and accommodation arrangements
Fruitful Jobs
4. HOPS Labour Solutions
- One of the UK’s longest-running agricultural recruiters
- Provides jobs in soft fruits, salads, and flower farms
HOPS Labour Solutions
5. Concordia UK Ltd
- A non-profit promoting ethical recruitment
- Organizes seasonal work and volunteering programmes
Concordia UK
6. RE People Limited
- Supplies workers for food production and farm roles
- Approved for poultry production jobs
RE People
7. Tasty Careers
- Focuses on roles in food businesses and poultry farms
Tasty Careers
8. AB Recruitment
- Hires seasonal workers for farms, nurseries, and packhouses
AB Recruitment
9. Castleview Group
- Recruits for poultry work during peak holiday seasons
Castleview Group
10. Orchard Recruitment Ltd
- Partners with small and medium farms across rural England
Orchard Recruitment
How to Get a Seasonal Job with a Licensed Sponsor
Follow these steps:
- Choose a sponsor from the official list.
- Visit their website or contact them directly.
- Complete their job application.
- Attend an interview or submit documents.
- If selected, get your Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Use your CoS to apply for your visa.
Step-by-Step Visa Application Process
Step 1: Get a Job Offer & Certificate of Sponsorship
- Contact an approved sponsor
- Secure an offer
- Receive your CoS reference number
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
- Valid passport
- Proof of funds (£1,270 minimum)
- Certificate of Sponsorship
- Passport-sized photos
- Completed visa application
Step 3: Apply Online
- Go to the official UK visa portal
UK Visa Application Service - Complete the form
- Enter your CoS reference
- Pay the visa fee (around £259)
- Schedule your biometric appointment
Step 4: Attend Your Biometric Appointment
- Visit a visa application centre
- Give fingerprints and photos
- Submit your documents
Step 5: Wait for a Decision
- Most decisions take about 3 weeks
- If approved, you get a visa vignette in your passport
Step 6: Travel to the UK
- Arrive on the dates listed in your CoS
- You may stay up to 6 months
Rules & Conditions
- You can only work for your sponsoring employer
- You must leave the UK when your visa expires
- No access to public funds
- You cannot bring family members
- You cannot take permanent jobs or study
Rights & Protections
As a seasonal worker, you have rights:
- At least the National Minimum Wage
- Safe working conditions
- Protection against exploitation and discrimination
- Emergency healthcare access
- Freedom to report concerns
Your sponsor is responsible for your welfare. If you experience mistreatment, contact the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA):
Tips for Applicants
- Use official recruitment channels
- Never pay illegal fees to agents
- Learn basic English
- Be honest in your visa interview
- Save for travel and expenses
- Always read your contract carefully
FAQs
Do I need a job offer?
Yes, and a Certificate of Sponsorship is mandatory.
How long can I stay?
Up to 6 months in any 12-month period.
Can I change employers?
No, you must stay with your sponsoring employer.
Can I bring my family?
No, dependants are not permitted.
Does this visa lead to permanent residence?
No, it does not count toward settlement.
Do I need proof of funds?
Yes, unless your sponsor confirms they will cover your expenses.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying can lead to serious penalties and bans on future visas.
For full details and up-to-date guidance, always check the official UK government resources:
Official UK Visa Information
Seasonal Worker Visa
Find Licensed Sponsors
