Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
Stay (Horticulture)	Up to 6 months
Stay (Poultry)	2 October to 31 December
Cost	£340 application fee
Eligibility age	18 or older
Eligibility timing	Apply up to 3 months before job start
Poultry deadline	Apply by 15 November each year
Processing time	Usually within 3 weeks
Financial requirement	At least £1,270 in personal savings
Work rights	Only job on Certificate of Sponsorship
Study rights	Allowed (some courses require ATAS certificate)
Family sponsorship	Cannot bring family members
Medicare / Healthcare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Enter up to 14 days before start
Citizenship path	None; children born in UK not automatic citizens
Former visa name	Temporary Worker - Seasonal Worker visa (T5)

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Purpose & Work Sectors

The Seasonal Worker visa allows individuals to come to the UK for temporary work in:

• Horticulture: For up to 6 months (e.g., picking fruit, vegetables, or flowers). Applications are accepted at any time of year.
• Poultry: From 2 October to 31 December in the same year. Applications must be submitted by 15 November each year.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, you must:

• Be aged 18 or over at the time of application.
• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from an approved UK sponsor.
• Have at least £1,270 in personal savings held for at least 28 consecutive days (with day 28 falling within 31 days of applying), unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance up to £1,270 on your CoS under "sponsor certifies maintenance" (in the "Additional data" section).
• Be employed in a role that pays at least the National Minimum Wage and complies with UK working hours rules. Applications will be refused if these standards are not met.

Certificate of Sponsorship Rules

• A CoS is a unique reference number holding details about the job and applicant, not a paper certificate.
• A CoS is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned.
• Each reference number can only be used once in an application.

Visa Rights & Conditions

Permitted Activities

• Working in the specific job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Studying (certain courses may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate).
• Entering the UK up to 14 days before the start date listed on your CoS.

Prohibited Activities

• Taking a permanent job.
• Working in a second job or any role not listed on your CoS.
• Accessing public funds.
• Bringing family members with you as dependants.

Children Born in the UK

Children born in the UK do not automatically become British citizens. To travel in and out of the UK with your child, you must apply online for their visa as your dependant and supply a full UK birth certificate showing both parents' names.

Required Documents

When applying, you must submit:

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
• A valid passport or official identity and nationality document.
• Proof of personal savings (e.g., bank statements), unless maintenance is certified by your sponsor.
• A certified translation for any document not in English or Welsh (excluding passports).
• Any additional documents requested by the Home Office.

Application Process

1. Timing: Apply online up to 3 months before your job's start date (listed on your CoS).
2. Online Submission: Complete the Seasonal Worker visa online application.
3. Fee: Pay the £340 application fee.
4. Identity Verification:
   • Use the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app to scan your identity document and sign in/create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, or
   • Book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph. You must bring your passport (which can be collected the same day); travel to another country may be required if no local centre exists.
5. Decision: Decisions are usually received within 3 weeks of submitting the application, verifying identity, and providing documents. Faster decisions may be available for an additional fee.