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This article provides an overview of the Seasonal Worker visa UK and whether it will help fill the labour market gap in 2025.
According to the Home Office, 11% of all workers in the UK’s agricultural sector were based in the Yorkshire and the Humber regions in 2023. This statistic highlights that Yorkshire is a prominent region in the UK’s agricultural industry.
Like other parts of the UK, Yorkshire experiences challenges that impact its agricultural efforts, most notably labour shortages in physically demanding, low-paid seasonal roles. The UK’s Seasonal Worker visa is designed to address this specific challenge, ensuring the industry can thrive.
What is the UK Seasonal Worker Visa?
The UK Seasonal Worker visa is a temporary immigration pathway that allows foreign nationals to work in seasonal roles for eligible employers.
It is divided into the horticulture and poultry visas. Horticulture Seasonal Worker visas enable holders to work for up to six months at any time of the year in fruit or vegetable picking roles. Poultry Seasonal Worker visa holders can work in poultry from October 2 to December 31 of each year.
Visa holders can work in the job described on their Certificate of Sponsorship and study eligible short-term courses. However, they cannot bring family members to the UK or claim public funds.
In 2024, the UK Government announced an extension of the Seasonal Worker scheme by an additional five years. Therefore, foreign nationals can apply for the visa up till 2029.
The Home Office also set a 45,000 application cap for 2025. Poultry workers are allowed 2,000 Seasonal Worker visas, while workers in horticulture are allowed 43,000. The quota system enables the Home Office to regulate intakes and ensure employers can explore the local talent to address workforce challenges.
Applying for the Seasonal Worker Visa
Eligible foreign workers can apply for the Seasonal Worker visa online. The Home Office accepts applications for the horticulture visa all year round, while applications for the poultry visa must be submitted by November 15 each year. Candidates can apply for any of the two routes up to three months before their job starts.
The application fee is £319. After submitting your online application, you may also need to pay £19.20 to provide your biometric information.
A decision on a seasonal worker visa application can take up to three weeks. If your application is approved, you can move to the UK up to 14 days before your job starts.
Eligibility Requirements for the Seasonal Worker Visa in the Yorkshire Agricultural Sector
Individuals applying for the UK Seasonal Worker Visa must:
- Be above 18
- Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship reference number from their UK sponsor
- Have enough money to cater for themselves in the UK, up to £1,270, unless exempt
- Ensure the job pays the minimum wage, although the burden of this requirement is on the employer of labour.
They must also provide the following documents:
- A valid passport with a blank page, a National identity card, or other eligible identity documents
- Bank statements, payslips, or other documents that demonstrate financial capability
- Certified translations of documents not in English, except for passports.
Labour Market Challenges in the Yorkshire Agriculture Sector
A major challenge the UK agriculture sector faces is the impact of Brexit. EU workers who were uncertain about the future left the labour sector, leaving behind a void, especially in sectors like horticulture, which relied heavily on seasonal workers. Additionally, employers were unable to reliably plan for their future due to unclear immigration policies, labour market disruptions, and economic instability.
Years after Brexit, the UK continues to experience labour shortages in seasonal roles. The ageing workforce also contributes to increasing labour demands. Yorkshire is heavily affected by these challenges due to its role as a major agricultural region in the UK.
How the Seasonal Worker Visa Supports the Agriculture Sector in Yorkshire
The Seasonal Worker visa enables eligible farmers in Yorkshire to hire workers to harvest their crops at an increased capacity. This ensures they can reduce crop losses and meet market demands, including supplying other businesses that rely on their products and services, such as food processors and retailers.
In addition, it gives employers a predictable source of labour, ensuring they can confidently plan for their business. For example, they can set higher crop-planting goals with the knowledge that they can hire additional seasonal workers during harvest.
A stable supply chain can boost Yorkshire’s economy and ensure consumers get high-quality produce.
Potential Challenges for the Seasonal Workers’ Visa in the Yorkshire Agricultural Sector
Agricultural employers may encounter particular challenges when hiring workers under the Seasonal Worker visa. Awareness of these challenges is integral to preparing and adopting a proactive solution. Here are some of them:
Reliance on Government-Approved Scheme Operators
Employers cannot directly sponsor workers on the Seasonal Worker routes. They must work with scheme operators who act as intermediaries between them and the Home Office. This intricacy can reduce their control over the workers they can hire and incur additional costs.
High Recruitment Costs
In addition to scheme operators’ payments, hiring workers under the Seasonal Worker visa may incur other expenses, such as workers’ accommodation and transportation. This may increase the annual budget for employing organisations.
Labour Shortages and Competition
The Seasonal Worker visa for farm workers isn’t specific to Yorkshire. Therefore, employers must compete with market rivals for proficient foreign workers.
Seasonal Timings and Processing Delays
Agricultural employers must hire workers in alignment with seasonal demands. However, individuals facing application processing delays may leave employers stranded and hamper productivity.
Conclusion
The UK Seasonal Worker visa can help agricultural employers recruit workers to fill integral roles. However, it is a temporary solution, and employers are advised to explore long-term solutions to the underlying labour issues.
Individuals who intend to apply for the visa must satisfy eligibility requirements and follow the correct application steps. Employers should also adhere to sponsorship requirements to ensure that they do not violate immigration rules.
Furthermore, applicants should seek the services of a UK immigration lawyer. Immigration lawyers are proficient in UK immigration and labour laws and can improve the chances of having a successful application.
