Temporary Worker Visas: Seasonal and Short-Term Employment in the UK

Table Of Contents:

1. What is a UK Temporary Work Visa—Seasonal Work Visa
2. Eligibility
3. Works allowed on Seasonal Worker—UK Temporary Work Visa
4. Documents Required
5. How to Apply
6. When Can I Apply
7. How Long Does it Take to Get a Decision
8. How Long Can I Stay on a Seasonal Worker—UK Temporary Work Visa
9. What Can I Do on a UK Seasonal Worker Visa
10. What Can I Not Do on a Seasonal Worker—UK Temporary Work Visa
11. Final Thoughts

A UK temporary work visa allows non-UK nationals to come to the UK for a temporary job for a UK organization. It replaced the old Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker visa (T5). There are 6 visas under the temporary worker visa route. They are:

• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Government-Authorized Exchange Visa
• Creative Worker Visa
• Religious Worker Visa
• Charity Worker Visa
• International Agreement Visa

Each visa is for different purposes, but all of them are short-term in nature. However, the scope of this article is limited to seasonal worker visas.

What is a UK Temporary Work Visa—Seasonal Work Visa?

The UK seasonal work visa allows foreign nationals to come to the UK and do seasonal work in horticulture or poultry production. You can work in horticulture for up to 6 months and poultry from 2 October to 31 December in the same year.

You must have a valid job offer from an approved sponsor in the UK who is a part of the seasonal worker scheme. The visa allows you to work in seasonal roles, such as on farms or in related industries. Typically, it’s granted for up to six months. 

The UK seasonal worker visa is specifically for seasonal work in designated industries. It does not allow you to work in other sectors or for different employers outside the approved scheme.

The UK seasonal worker visa is a temporary visa. The visa does not lead to a settlement. Hence, if you want to stay in the UK for the long term, you should look for other visa routes.

Eligibility

You need to meet the following eligibility requirements for a seasonal worker—UK temporary work visa.

1. Age Requirement –

You must be 18 years or older on the date of application.

2. Certificate of Sponsorship –

You need a valid COS (certificate of sponsorship) issued by a UK Home Office–licensed sponsor under the Seasonal Worker scheme. This certificate confirms that you have a job offer in an approved seasonal sector such as horticulture or poultry. You need a COS reference number for the seasonal worker—UK temporary work visa application. Your COS is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.

3. Financial Requirements –

You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay. Typically, you need to show a specified amount of savings of at least £1,270

unless your sponsor covers your maintenance. If you meet the financial requirement by yourself, you must have at least £1,270 available in your bank account for at least 28 days in a row within 31 days of applying for this visa.
On the other hand, if your sponsor is going to cover your expenses of at least £1,270 for the first month, your COS must confirm this.

Meeting these requirements is essential for a successful application. Always check the latest guidance from UK Visas and Immigration or consult a qualified UK immigration advisor for the most current information.

Works allowed on Seasonal Worker—UK Temporary Work Visa

You can do one of the following jobs in the horticulture sector:

a. Protected vegetables grown in glasshouse systems
b. Field vegetables grown outdoors, including vegetables, herbs, leafy salads, and potatoes
c. Soft fruit grown both outdoors and under cover, including strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, and all Rubus species
d. Top fruit or orchard fruit, such as apples, plums, cherries, or apricots
e. Vines and bines, such as grapes and hops
f. Different types of mushroom species, typically grown indoors
g. Bulbs and cut flowers, such as daffodils, are grown both indoors and outdoors.
h. Seasonal bedding and pot plants, such as pansies, violas, geraniums, and poinsettias
i. Hardy nursery stock, like Christmas trees, shrubs, roses, ornamental trees, and perennials
j. Other types of trees and forest nurseries

You can do the following work in the poultry sector.

a. Butcher (occupation code 5431)
b. Bird/game dresser
c. Killer and Plucker
d. Plucker e. Poulterer
f. Poultry processor
g. Poultry sticker
h. Trusser
i. Food operative
j. Poultry catcher/handler
k. Poultry vaccinator
l. Poultry meat packer

Documents Required

You need to submit the following documents for a seasonal worker—UK temporary work visa.

1. Passport or Other Valid Travel Documents –

You need to submit your current passport or other valid travel document to prove your identity and nationality. You need to have a blank page in your passport for the visa.

2. COS Reference Number –

You will get the COS reference number on your COS. You need to add this reference number to your application.

3. Financial Document –

You need to submit documents such as bank statements to show that you can support yourself financially in the UK. If your sponsor is going to cover your expenses for the first month, this must be shown on your COS.

4. Translated Copies of Documents (if applicable) –

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, they must be translated into either of these two languages.

5. TB Test Certificate (if applicable) –

You must submit a TB test certificate if you come from a country where taking a TB test is mandatory.

You may have to submit additional documents depending on your circumstances.

How to Apply?

You must apply online.

Submit Your Identity Proof

As part of the seasonal worker—UK temporary work visa application, you need to prove your identity. You can do this by scanning your identity document on the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app or enrolling your biometric information (your fingerprints and digital photograph) at a VAC (Visa Application Center) in your country.

Upload the Documents

You need to upload the documents that we have mentioned above when applying for a UK seasonal worker visa.

Pay the Application Fee

You need to pay the visa application fee of £319. You can pay this amount using a debit/credit card.

Enroll Your Biometric Information

If you have to make an appointment at a VAC to enroll your biometrics, you need to be present here on the appointment date. You can enroll your biometric information on this date at the VAC. You must also bring your passport or travel document, along with any other supporting documents required for your application. The Visa Application Center (VAC) may keep your passport and other documents during the processing of your application.

Submit Your Application

Once you have paid the application fee, you can submit the application.

When Can I Apply?

You can apply up to 3 months before the date you are going to start your work. This start date of your work is mentioned on your COS.

You need to apply for poultry seasonal worker visas by 15 November each year. You can apply for horticulture seasonal worker visas at any time of year.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Decision?

You should usually get a decision within 3 weeks. However, you may apply for ‘priority’ service to get a faster decision within 5 working days.

How Long Can I Stay on a Seasonal Worker—UK Temporary Work Visa?

You can stay for up to 6 months for horticulture work and from 2 October to 31 December each year for poultry work.

What Can I Do on a UK Seasonal Worker Visa?

You can do the job described in your COS and study in the UK. For doing some courses, you will need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate.

What Can I Not Do on a Seasonal Worker—UK Temporary Work Visa?

You cannot do the following:

• Take a temporary job,
• Do any job other than the one mentioned in your COS.
• Do a second job,
• Get public funds
• Bring your family members with you.

Final Thoughts

The Seasonal Worker—UK A temporary work visa is a great opportunity for individuals looking for short-term work in the poultry or horticulture sectors. It allows you to gain valuable work experience and earn money. You can work in the UK for up to 6 months. However, it is a temporary visa with some restrictions. For example, you cannot bring your family members to the UK or apply to switch to another visa while in the UK.

You must have a job offer from an approved sponsor and meet the basic financial requirements. If you are ready for seasonal work and meet the criteria, this visa can be a useful stepping stone toward future opportunities.

Read Other Blogs:

Financial Requirements for Skilled Worker Visas in 2025

Sponsoring a Creative Worker

How to Find a Sponsor for a UK Work Visa

Navigating the Skilled Worker Visa: Eligibility and Application Process