The Seasonal Worker visa allows workers with a job offer in the UK to work in the horticulture sector. The seasonal worker visa has a six-month validity period, covering tasks like picking fruits and vegetables. This visa does not permit working with poultry, butchering pigs, or operating a heavy-goods truck to convey food.
Eligibility Requirements for Seasonal Worker Visa
You must satisfy the following eligibility requirements to be eligible for a seasonal worker visa:
- You need to be able to support yourself with at least £1,270. 28 days must pass after the date of your application before the funds become available. If your UK sponsor funds you instead, you do not need to meet this requirement. The sponsorship certificate must declare that your UK company will pay at least £1,270 toward your first month’s expenses.
- It would be best if you were over the age of 18.
- Your UK employer must provide you with a certificate of sponsorship reference number. Your UK sponsor will provide you with an electronic copy of the CoS. The Cos reference number is required when requesting a visa for seasonal workers. The reference number may only be used once during the three-month validity of the sponsorship certificate.
- You must have a horticulture job.
How to Apply for the Seasonal Worker Visa?
To apply for a visa as a seasonal worker, you must take the actions listed below:
- On the website for visas and immigration fun by the UK government, fill out the online application form. To apply, you must have a CoS number and submit your information in English.
- The documents are online. Through the online application site, you can upload papers that have been photographed or scanned. Verify if they are JPG, PDF, PNG, or JPEG files. Throughout the application, a list of the necessary documents will emerge.
- Cover the costs. The £259 visa application fee must be paid online as you complete your application.
- Schedule a time to visit a visa application center. Check the “Find a visa application center on the government portal. When you apply, you must schedule the appointment and show up to present your biometrics. Any extra documents you have not submitted or physical copies of your current documents may be requested.
Required Documents
For the Seasonal Working visa, you must get ready the following paperwork:
- A valid passport with a blank page for your visa.
- Bank statements or proof showing you have enough money to support yourself in the UK are acceptable.
- Any document that is not in English or Welsh requires a certified translation.
- The CoS reference number your sponsor provided.
When should a biometric residence permit be obtained?
You must obtain a biometric resident permit when you arrive in the UK. You have ten days from when you land in the UK to pick up the BRP before the vignette sticker in your passport expires. The BRP will be delivered to your address by visa mail if you have applied for an extension or changeover to the Seasonal Worker visa from another kind while still inside the UK.
How long does it take to process a seasonal worker visa?
The seasonal worker visa typically takes three weeks to process. Depending on your circumstances, making a decision can take more time.
Duration of the Seasonal Worker Visa
The six-month validity period of the seasonal worker visa. Up to weeks before the start of your job, you are permitted to enter the UK whenever your visa is prepared.
What Does a Seasonal Worker Visa Cost in the UK?
You must pay the required £259 to submit a valid application for a Seasonal Working visa. You must also confirm that you have access to a minimum of £1,270 to support your stay in the UK and the application fee.
Can the Seasonal Worker Visa be Extended?
The visa for Seasonal Workers is not extendable. A Seasonal Worker visa only allows you to stay in the UK for six months.
Can I Switch to the Seasonal Worker Visa?
You cannot change from another visa route to a Seasonal Working visa. Only those from the UK can apply for a Seasonal Working visa.
Conditions of the Seasonal Worker Visa
You can and cannot do the following in the UK while holding a seasonal worker visa:
Do I qualify for ILR if I have a seasonal worker visa?
The seasonal Worker visa does not allow for indefinite leave to remain. You must apply for a different visa that enables you to submit an ILR application if you want to reside permanently in the UK.
Can I Go to the UK with Dependents on a Seasonal Working Visa?
The Seasonal Worker visa does not allow for the entry of dependents. Family members like your spouse and kids cannot travel with you on this visa route.
