UK Seasonal Worker visa

People aged 18 or over who have a qualifying seasonal job and a certificate of sponsorship from an approved UK sponsor.

• Be at least 18

  You must be 18 or over when you apply.

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• Have eligible seasonal work

  Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm a job in horticulture or an eligible poultry production role.

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• Have an approved sponsor

  Your certificate of sponsorship must be issued by an A-rated licensed sponsor endorsed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for this route and licensed by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

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• Have a valid sponsorship reference

  You need a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your sponsor. The certificate must have been issued no more than 3 months before you apply, must not have been withdrawn or cancelled, and must not have been used in a previous application that was granted or refused.

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• Check the job start date

  The start date on your certificate of sponsorship must be no more than 3 months after the date you apply.

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• Meet pay and working-hours rules

  The job must comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations and Working Time Regulations. For horticulture and specified poultry roles, the certificate must confirm at least £12.71 per hour and at least 32 hours’ pay each week; for specified poultry butcher and bird or game dresser roles, it must confirm at least £15.88 per hour and £38,700 per year.

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• Have money to support yourself

  You must have at least £1,270, held for 28 days in a row with day 28 within 31 days of applying, or your A-rated sponsor must confirm on your certificate of sponsorship that it will maintain and accommodate you if necessary during your first month of employment for at least £1,270.

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• Check your previous UK stay

  You must not have been in the UK as a Seasonal Worker during the 4 months immediately before the start date on your certificate of sponsorship.

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• Meet the poultry deadline

  If your sponsored role is in poultry production, you must apply on or before 15 November in that year.

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• Have an identity document

  You must provide a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality.

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• Meet suitability rules

  You must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.

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• Visa application feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£340 per person
• Decision timeThe published processing time for a Seasonal Worker application made outside the UK is 3 weeks. Processing starts when you complete the required identity and document step; an application may take longer.About 3 weeks

1. Get ready

   • Get a sponsored seasonal job

     Obtain an eligible horticulture or poultry production job and a certificate of sponsorship reference number from an approved sponsor.

     You’ll need: Certificate of sponsorship reference number

   • Prepare evidence of your money

     If your sponsor is not certifying your support, hold at least £1,270 for the required 28-day period and prepare evidence such as bank statements.

     You’ll need: Evidence of personal savings, unless your sponsor certifies support

   • Gather your documents

     Prepare your passport or other identity document, sponsorship reference and any required savings evidence, with certified translations of documents not in English or Welsh apart from your passport.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or other identity document, Certificate of sponsorship reference number, Savings evidence if required, Certified translations if required

2. Apply

   • Apply online

     Apply from outside the UK no more than 3 months before your sponsored job starts, and by 15 November if the job is in poultry production.

     You’ll need: Certificate of sponsorship reference number, Valid passport or other identity document

   • Pay the application fee

     Pay the £340 visa application fee.

   • Prove your identity

     Follow the application instructions to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or give your fingerprints and photograph at a visa application centre.

     You’ll need: Passport or other identity document

3. Visa

   • Wait for a decision

     The published processing time for applications outside the UK is 3 weeks, and you must not travel to the UK before your visa is approved.

4. Travel

   • Travel when your visa is valid

     When you arrive

     You can enter the UK as soon as your visa is valid, up to 14 days before your job starts.

     You’ll need: Passport or other identity document

5. Settle in

   • Work in your sponsored job

     Work only in the job described on your certificate of sponsorship and stay within the period your visa permits.

     You’ll need: Certificate of sponsorship reference number

• Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Temporary Work - Seasonal Worker - Guidance - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work): Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• gov.uk/seasonal-worker-visa/applyOfficial
• Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work): Eligibility - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• gov.uk/seasonal-worker-visa/documents-you-must-provideOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.