The UK government has introduced 45,000 Seasonal Worker visas for 2025 to alleviate labour shortages in the agricultural and poultry sectors, essential for food production during peak seasons. This program includes 43,000 visas for horticultural roles such as fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, and flower cultivation, and 2,000 visas for poultry processing jobs available from October to December.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have sponsorship from a licensed UK employer, meet health and safety criteria, show sufficient funds for their stay, and possess health insurance. Visa holders are required to return home after their employment period and cannot switch to other visa types.
The Seasonal Worker visa scheme will help fill critical roles: horticultural workers focus on planting, pruning, harvesting, and packing, while poultry workers handle bird care, egg collection, and processing. Candidates must secure sponsorship before applying through the UK’s online immigration portal. Applications for poultry processing roles close by November 15, while horticulture applications remain open year-round.
To complement the scheme, the UK government will invest £50 million in agricultural automation, such as robotic harvesting, to enhance productivity and reduce dependence on seasonal labour. The visa scheme, renewed in 2024, will run until 2029, offering businesses time to adopt sustainable, technology-driven workforce solutions.
