For people coming to the UK to pick fruit, vegetables or flowers, or to work in the poultry sector, with a licensed UK sponsor.
This route replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Seasonal Worker visa. Horticulture placements run for up to 6 months at any time of year; poultry placements run from 2 October to 31 December, with applications due by 15 November each year.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
TL;DR
The Seasonal Worker Visa lets you work in UK horticulture for up to 6 months, or in poultry from 2 October to 31 December, with a licensed UK sponsor. The application fee is £340, you must usually show £1,270 in savings, decisions usually take 3 weeks, and you cannot bring dependants.
£340
Application Fee
6 Months
Maximum Stay (Horticulture)
3 Weeks
Typical Decision
What is the Seasonal Worker Visa?
The Seasonal Worker Visa (Temporary Work) allows you to come to the UK for short-term seasonal work: horticulture — picking fruit, vegetables or flowers — for up to 6 months, or poultry work from 2 October to 31 December in the same year.
You must be sponsored by a UK employer licensed for this route. Horticulture applications open year-round; poultry applications must be made by 15 November each year. This visa replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Seasonal Worker visa.
You must be 18 or over, hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and your job must meet the route’s pay rules — at least £12.71 per hour with a minimum of 32 hours’ pay each week for horticulture and most poultry roles — otherwise your application will be refused.
Eligibility Requirements
You must satisfy all three conditions to qualify for the Seasonal Worker Visa.
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Certificate of Sponsorship
You must hold a valid CoS reference number from a UK sponsor licensed for the Seasonal Worker route. The CoS is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned and can only be used once.
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Age & Fair Pay
You must be 18 or over when you apply. Your sponsor must pay at least £12.71 per hour with a minimum of 32 hours’ pay each week (horticulture and most poultry roles), or £15.88 per hour and £38,700 per year for senior poultry occupations — if they do not, your application will be refused.
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Financial Requirement
You must show at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days of your application. You are exempt if your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS, covering your first month up to £1,270.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Your rights and restrictions while in the UK on a Seasonal Worker Visa.
✓ You Can
- Work in the job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship
- Study in the UK (ATAS clearance may apply for certain courses)
- Enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job
- Return for future seasons — horticulture stays are capped at 6 months in any 10-month period
✗ You Cannot
- Take a permanent job
- Work in a second job, or any job not described in your CoS
- Access public funds (benefits, social housing, etc.)
- Bring family members (dependants) with you
- Stay beyond 6 months (horticulture) or 31 December (poultry)
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £340 per person |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Not payable — visas of 6 months or less applied for from outside the UK are exempt |
| Personal savings you must show | £1,270 held for 28 days (unless your sponsor certifies maintenance) |
| Dependant application fee | Not applicable — dependants cannot join you on this route |
| Priority processing | Additional fee — check gov.uk for current rate |
How to Apply
Five steps from job offer to visa decision.
Secure a Seasonal Job Offer
Obtain a confirmed offer of horticulture or poultry work from a UK sponsor licensed for the Seasonal Worker route.
Obtain Your Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor assigns you a CoS reference number. Valid for 3 months and usable once — use it before it expires.
Apply Online (Up to 3 Months Before)
Submit on gov.uk. Pay the £340 fee. Apply up to 3 months before your job’s start date — and by 15 November for poultry roles.
Prove Your Identity & Provide Documents
Prove your identity with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, or give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre. Provide your CoS reference, passport, and proof of savings.
Receive Your Decision
Usually within 3 weeks of applying online, proving your identity and providing your documents. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Seasonal Worker Visa from applicants and employers worldwide.
What is the Seasonal Worker Visa UK?
The Seasonal Worker Visa is a UK Temporary Work visa for short-term seasonal jobs with a licensed UK sponsor: horticulture work (picking fruit, vegetables or flowers) for up to 6 months, or poultry work from 2 October to 31 December. It replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Seasonal Worker visa.
How much does the Seasonal Worker Visa cost?
The application fee is £340 per person. You must also show at least £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies on your Certificate of Sponsorship that they will support you during your first month, up to £1,270.
How long can I stay on a Seasonal Worker Visa?
Up to 6 months in any 10-month period for horticulture work, or from 2 October to 31 December in the same year for poultry work. You can enter the UK as soon as your visa is valid — up to 14 days before the start date of your job.
Can I bring my family on a Seasonal Worker Visa?
No. You cannot bring family members (dependants) with you on the Seasonal Worker route. If you have a child while you are in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen, and you must apply for their visa as your dependant to travel in and out of the UK with them.
Can I take a second job on a Seasonal Worker Visa?
No. You can only work in the job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship. You cannot take a permanent job, a second job, or any job not described in your CoS.
When do I need to apply for a poultry Seasonal Worker Visa?
Poultry Seasonal Worker visa applications must be made by 15 November each year, for work between 2 October and 31 December. Horticulture applications can be made at any time of year, up to 3 months before your job’s start date.
Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for a Seasonal Worker Visa?
No. The Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply to visa applications made from outside the UK for stays of 6 months or less, which covers the Seasonal Worker route.
What documents do I need for a Seasonal Worker Visa?
Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, a valid passport or other identity document, and evidence of your personal savings (such as bank statements) unless your sponsor certifies maintenance. Documents not in English or Welsh need a certified translation, apart from your passport.
How long does a Seasonal Worker Visa decision take?
Usually within 3 weeks once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents. You may be able to pay for a faster decision depending on your location.
Is there a minimum pay requirement for the Seasonal Worker Visa?
Yes. For horticulture and most poultry roles your sponsor must pay at least £12.71 per hour with a minimum of 32 hours’ pay each week. Senior poultry occupations (SOC 5431 and 5433) must pay at least £15.88 per hour and £38,700 per year. If your job does not meet these rules, your application will be refused.
Need Help With Your Seasonal Worker Visa?
Our immigration specialists handle everything from sponsor eligibility checks to visa approval — for workers and for the UK growers and operators who employ them.