The United Kingdom government has officially extended its Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme for an additional five years, ensuring that farmers and food producers can continue hiring foreign workers on short-term contracts.
Initially set to end in 2021, the program was previously extended to 2024 following lobbying efforts by the National Farmers Union (NFU).
Under the revised framework, seasonal workers will be permitted to stay in the UK for up to six months. In 2025, 45,000 visas will be allocated for seasonal roles, with 43,000 designated for horticulture tasks such as fruit and vegetable picking and 2,000 reserved for poultry processing during the autumn and winter months.
Only workers employed by approved scheme operators will qualify for these visas.
To apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa, candidates must secure a job offer through an authorized recruitment agency and meet eligibility requirements.
These include being at least 18 years old and demonstrating proof of £1,270 in savings to support themselves upon arrival. Notably, visa holders are prohibited from bringing dependents to the UK.
While the scheme provides critical labor support to the agricultural sector, it has faced criticism over worker rights and protections. Labor rights organizations have raised concerns about exploitation, noting that visa holders are tied to specific employers, leaving them vulnerable to unsafe or abusive working conditions.
Kate Roberts of Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) emphasized that workers often lack viable options to challenge wage theft, poor conditions, or harassment due to their restricted employment status.
The government has also announced investments in automation technologies as part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on migrant labor. Up to £50 million will be allocated for innovations such as robotic crop pickers and automated packhouses.
