BREAKING: UK Govt Confirms 45,000 Seasonal Worker Visas For 2025

BREAKING: UK Govt Confirms 45,000 Seasonal Worker Visas For 2025

The UK government has revealed its intention to issue 45,000 Seasonal Worker visas in 2025 in order to combat labor shortages in the agricultural and poultry sectors.

This strategy is geared towards bolstering the nation’s food production by ensuring an ample workforce during peak demand seasons.

Of these visas, 43,000 will be earmarked for horticultural positions, covering tasks like fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, and flower cultivation.

The remaining 2,000 visas are allocated for roles in the poultry sector, focusing on processing activities between October and December.

The Seasonal Worker visa scheme is designed to offer temporary labor to fulfill crucial roles in food production.

To qualify for these visas, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess sponsorship from a licensed UK employer, and adhere to health and safety regulations relevant to their roles.

Additionally, applicants are required to demonstrate sufficient funds for their stay and secure health insurance.

It’s mandatory for visa holders to return to their home countries upon the completion of their employment period, and they are not permitted to switch visa types while residing in the UK.

The Seasonal Worker visa encompasses a range of responsibilities within the horticulture and poultry sectors. In horticulture, tasks include planting, pruning, weeding, harvesting, and packing.

Meanwhile, poultry workers are involved in bird care, egg collection, and processing.

Individuals interested in these roles must first secure a sponsorship certificate from a licensed UK employer.

Subsequently, they can proceed with their visa application through the UK’s online immigration platform. Application deadlines for poultry positions are before November 15 annually, while horticulture applications are accepted throughout the year.

To complement the expansion of the Seasonal Worker visa program, the UK government is investing in technological advancements to lessen its dependence on seasonal labor.

These investments range from automation like robotic harvesters to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.

The government has committed up to £50 million to promote advancements in agriculture, encompassing robotics and automation technologies.

This extension of the Seasonal Worker visa scheme, renewed in May 2024 for an additional five years, will be in effect until 2029. The extended timeline aims to give businesses the opportunity to gradually adopt technology-based solutions, ultimately creating a more sustainable workforce model in the UK’s agricultural sector.