UK Seasonal Worker Visa 2026: Farm and Poultry Jobs Paying £12.71 an Hour, Rules and Rights
The UK Seasonal Worker visa in 2026: farm and poultry jobs, £12.71 an hour and 32 paid hours a week, the £340 fee, licensed scheme operators and your rights.
A seasonal fruit picker on a UK farm in 2026 must be paid at least £12.71 an hour and guaranteed at least 32 hours' pay a week. Over a six-month season, many workers earn £10,000 to £15,000 before deductions, depending on hours, piece rates and the weather. For workers from Central Asia, Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines and parts of Africa, that is several times what the same work pays at home.
The Seasonal Worker visa lets you come to the UK for up to six months to pick and pack fruit, vegetables and flowers, or for a short winter window to work in poultry processing before Christmas. You cannot apply directly to a farm. Every job comes through one of a small number of Home Office licensed scheme operators.
The route has also been linked to serious abuse: workers who paid illegal recruitment fees, were sent home after a few weeks, or were left in debt. This guide covers how the scheme really works and how to protect yourself.
In this guide
UK Seasonal Worker Visa at a Glance
| Item | Details (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | People aged 18+ offered seasonal horticulture or poultry work through a licensed scheme operator |
| Minimum pay | £12.71 per hour (National Living Wage from April 2026) |
| Guaranteed hours | Pay for at least 32 hours a week |
| Visa fee | £340 |
| Length | Up to 6 months in any 12-month period (horticulture); 2 October to 31 December (poultry) |
| 2026 visa quota | About 41,000 horticulture and 1,900 poultry places |
| Family | Cannot bring dependants |
| Processing time | Usually within 3 weeks |
| Official source | gov.uk Seasonal Worker visa |
What Work Is Covered
Horticulture
This is the bulk of the scheme. Work includes picking strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, apples and other fruit, harvesting vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and leeks, working in glasshouses with tomatoes and cucumbers, and growing and cutting flowers. Packing in on-farm packhouses can be included.
Horticulture applications can be made at any time of year. Most seasons run from spring through to late autumn, with a peak from May to September.
Poultry
A smaller allocation covers poultry work, mainly turkeys, geese and ducks for the Christmas market. Poultry work runs from 2 October to 31 December, and you must apply by 15 November of the same year.
Pay and Hours
The minimum is the National Living Wage, which rose to £12.71 an hour on 1 April 2026. Your sponsor must also guarantee at least 32 hours of pay each week you are on the visa, even if rain or a poor crop stops work.
Many farms pay piece rates (per tray, per kilo or per bin). Piece rates are legal, but your total pay for the hours worked must never fall below £12.71 an hour. If you are slow in your first week, the farm must top you up.
| Weekly hours | Gross weekly pay at £12.71/hour | Approx. 6-month gross (26 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| 32 (guaranteed minimum) | £407 | £10,575 |
| 40 | £508 | £13,220 |
| 48 | £610 | £15,860 |
These are gross figures. National Insurance is deducted once weekly earnings pass the threshold, and income tax applies once you go over the yearly personal allowance of £12,570. Many seasonal workers who earn under the allowance in a tax year can claim back tax deducted by mistake. Keep every payslip.
Costs Workers Pay
| Cost | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | £340 |
| Flights to the UK | £300 to £900 depending on country (some farms help) |
| Accommodation on farm | Usually deducted from wages, capped by law; the accommodation offset is about £11.10 a day (around £77.70 a week) from April 2026 |
| Proof of savings | £1,270, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance |
| Recruitment fee | Should be zero. Charging fees is banned under scheme rules |
The legal cap on accommodation deductions only applies to housing provided by the employer. Charges for transport, bedding or utilities must not push your pay below the minimum wage. Check the gov.uk minimum wage guidance if deductions look too high.
Licensed Scheme Operators
Farms do not sponsor workers directly. Instead, the Home Office licenses a limited number of scheme operators. They recruit workers, issue certificates of sponsorship and place workers on member farms. They are responsible for your welfare throughout your stay.
Only use an operator that appears on the official register of licensed sponsors on gov.uk under the Seasonal Worker route. Operators often work with partner agencies abroad, so ask your recruiter which UK operator they work for, then check that name yourself. Do not rely on logos or certificates sent over WhatsApp.
Eligibility
You need:
- To be aged 18 or over when you apply
- A certificate of sponsorship from a licensed scheme operator
- To be able to support yourself, either with £1,270 in savings or your sponsor certifying it
- A genuine intention to do seasonal work and leave the UK when the visa ends
There is no formal English test for this visa, but basic English helps with safety instructions and daily life.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Find a licensed operator. Check the gov.uk register first, then contact the operator or their official partner in your country.
- Interview and accept the offer. You should receive a written statement of your pay, hours, accommodation and deductions.
- Receive your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
- Apply online on gov.uk up to three months before your start date and pay the £340 fee.
- Attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre, or use the ID Check app if eligible.
- Get a TB test if your country is on the list.
- Wait for the decision, usually within three weeks.
- Travel and start work on the date shown on your certificate.
Documents Checklist
- Passport valid for your stay
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number
- Bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance
- Tuberculosis test certificate, if required for your country
- Written job offer with pay, hours and accommodation terms
- Return or onward travel plans
Your Rights as a Seasonal Worker
You have the same basic employment rights as any UK worker:
- At least the National Living Wage for every hour worked
- Payslips showing hours, pay and deductions
- Rest breaks and limits on working time
- Safe working conditions and safe, clean accommodation
- Holiday pay that builds up as you work
- Freedom to keep your own passport; no one may confiscate it
If your farm treats you badly, contact your scheme operator first and ask to move to another farm. If that does not work, you can report labour exploitation to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) or the Modern Slavery Helpline. Reporting abuse should not cost you your visa.
After the Season
The Seasonal Worker visa cannot be extended beyond six months in a 12-month period, and you cannot switch to another visa from inside the UK. You cannot bring family. Time on this visa does not lead to settlement.
Many workers return the next year with the same operator, which is usually easier once you have a good record. If you want a longer-term route, you would need to qualify for something like the Skilled Worker visa from home, which requires a degree-level job in most cases. Farm work abroad is also available through Canada's agricultural programs and the US H-2A visa.
Common Mistakes and Refusal Reasons
- Using an unlicensed agent. No valid certificate of sponsorship means no visa.
- Paying recruitment fees. This often leads to debt and pressure to accept bad conditions.
- Savings problems. If your sponsor does not certify maintenance, your balance must not dip below £1,270 for 28 days.
- Overstaying. Staying even a few days past your visa can stop you returning in future seasons.
- Working off-farm. Taking cash jobs outside your sponsored work breaks your visa conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do seasonal workers earn in the UK?
The minimum is £12.71 an hour from April 2026, with at least 32 hours' pay guaranteed each week. Over a six-month season, most workers earn roughly £10,000 to £15,000 gross depending on hours and piece rates. Accommodation and tax deductions reduce take-home pay.
Can I apply directly to a UK farm?
No. Seasonal Worker visas are only issued through Home Office licensed scheme operators. The operator issues your certificate of sponsorship and places you on a farm.
Can I bring my family on a Seasonal Worker visa?
No. Partners and children cannot come as dependants on this visa. They would need to apply for their own visa, such as a visitor visa, and meet its rules separately.
Do I need to pay an agent for a UK seasonal job?
You should not pay any recruitment fee. You normally pay only for your visa, flights and, through wage deductions, accommodation. Anyone demanding large fees for a job or visa is breaking the rules, and you should report them.
How many seasonal worker visas are available in 2026?
Defra set an allocation of about 41,000 horticulture visas and 1,900 poultry visas for 2026, slightly lower than 2025. Places are shared between operators, so popular operators fill their quota early.
Can I switch from a Seasonal Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
No. You cannot switch from inside the UK. You must return home and apply separately if you get a qualifying Skilled Worker job offer.
Before You Apply
- Check the operator's name on the official gov.uk sponsor register before you share documents or money.
- Get your pay, hours, accommodation costs and deductions in writing before you travel.
- Save enough for the visa fee, flights and your first two weeks in the UK.
- Keep copies of your passport, contract and payslips, and note the GLAA contact details in your phone.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Fees, quotas and requirements change often, so confirm every detail on the official government website before you apply or pay anyone. See our editorial policy.
