The Seasonal Worker visa allows workers with a job offer in the UK to work in the horticulture sector. The seasonal worker visa is valid for six months and it includes work such as picking fruits and vegetables. This visa does not include poultry work, pork butchery, or driving a heavy-goods vehicle to transport food.
This visa was previously known as the Temporary Worker-Seasonal Worker visa (T5).
Eligibility Requirements for Seasonal Worker Visa
To qualify for the Seasonal Worker visa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You must be over the age of 18.
- You must have a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK employer. The CoS is an electronic document that you will receive from your UK sponsor. You will need the CoS reference number when applying for the Seasonal Worker visa. The certificate of sponsorship is valid for three months and you can use the reference number only once.
- You must have at least £1,270 to support yourself. The money must be available for 28 days from the date of your application. You don’t need to fulfill this condition if your UK sponsor will be supporting you instead. The certificate of sponsorship must state that your UK employer will cover you for the first month with at least £1,270.
- You must have a horticulture job.
The Required Documents for the Seasonal Worker Visa
You must prepare the listed documents for the Seasonal Worker visa:
- A valid passport with a blank page for your visa.
- The CoS reference number given by your sponsor.
- Bank statements or any other document that proves you have sufficient money to support yourself in the UK.
- You must have a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh.
How to Apply for the Seasonal Worker Visa?
You must follow the steps below to apply for the Seasonal Worker visa:
- Fill out the online application form on the UK Government’s Visas and Immigraton website. You must have the CoS number to apply and you must provide your info in English.
- Upload the documents. You can upload photographed or scanned documents on the online application portal. Make sure they are either JPG, PDF, PNG, or JPEG. A lift list of the required documents will appear during the application.
- Pay the fees. You must pay the £259 visa fee online as you are completing your application.
- Book an appointment at a visa application center. You can find a VAC by checking the “Find a visa application center” on GOV.UK. You must book the appointment as you apply and attend the appointment to provide your biometrics. You may be asked to provide physical copies of your documents or any additional document you have not uploaded.
When to Obtain the Biometric Residence Permit?
You must obtain a biometric residence permit when you arrive in the UK. You must collect the BRP within ten days of arriving in the UK or when the vignette sticker in your passport expires. If you have applied inside the UK to extend or switch to the Seasonal Worker visa, the BRP will be sent to you via visa mail at your address.
What Is the Processing Time for the Seasonal Worker Visa?
The processing time for the Seasonal Worker visa is usually three weeks. Getting a decision may take longer, depending on your situation.
Duration of the Seasonal Worker Visa
The Seasonal Worker visa is valid for six months. You can enter the UK whenever your visa is ready, up to two weeks before the start date of your job.
What Is the UK Seasonal Worker Visa Fee?
To successfully apply for the Seasonal Worker visa, you must pay the required fee of £259. In addition to the fee, you must also present proof you have access to a minimum of £1,270 to sustain your stay in the UK.
Can I Extend the Seasonal Worker Visa?
You cannot extend the Seasonal Worker visa. You can stay in the UK under a Seasonal Worker visa for a total of only six months.
Can I Switch to the Seasonal Worker Visa?
You cannot switch to the Seasonal Worker visa from another visa route. You can apply for the Seasonal Worker visa only if you are outside the UK.
Conditions of the Seasonal Worker Visa
This is what you can and cannot do in the UK under a Seasonal Worker Visa:
| You can | You cannot |
| Work as stated in your CoS | Have a permanent job |
| Study | Have a second job that isn’t described in your CoS |
| Receive public funds | |
| Bring dependents |
Can I Obtain ILR with the Seasonal Worker Visa?
You cannot obtain indefinite leave to remain with the Seasonal Worker visa. To settle permanently in the UK, you have to apply for another visa that allows you to apply for ILR.
Can I Bring Dependents to the UK With the Seasonal Worker Visa?
You cannot bring dependents with the Seasonal Worker visa. Family members such as your partner and children are not allowed to accompany you under this visa route.