The British government has confirmed that 43,000 seasonal worker visas will be available for the horticulture sector and 2,000 for poultry in the upcoming year.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has welcomed the government’s announcement regarding the allocation of seasonal worker visas for 2025, emphasizing the necessity for a long-term visa scheme to ensure stability in the agricultural industry.

This decision follows the NFU’s ongoing advocacy for the essential role that seasonal workers play in the UK’s farming sector, a campaign that has persisted for several months and even years during their time in opposition.

Earlier this year, the Conservative government extended the seasonal worker scheme until the end of 2024. However, uncertainty about its future continuation lingered after the recent general election until this announcement was made.

Before the election, NFU President Tom Bradshaw met with former Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss the scheme’s importance, and he reiterated these concerns with the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, following Labour’s electoral victory.

The Seasonal Worker visa route had already been extended for two years, a move championed by the NFU as part of their comprehensive evidence submitted to the government.

This announcement coincided with the release of Defra’s 2023 seasonal worker survey, which indicated that 91% of respondents had a positive experience while in the UK, and 95% expressed a desire to return.

Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner remarked, “This government recognizes that food security is national security, and this can only be achieved by supporting food and farming businesses.”

He noted that the confirmation of the visa allocation for 2025 gives growers the certainty needed to plan ahead and secure the labor necessary for their operations.

The government is also working to improve access to labor through compliance checks on farms and welfare assessments for workers, in collaboration with international partners.

Access to labor remains a top priority for the NFU’s national poultry board and is one of ten key areas identified for long-term growth in the horticulture sector.

Visa Eligibility and Requirements

To apply for a seasonal worker visa, applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a certificate of sponsorship reference number from a UK sponsor, along with sufficient funds—typically at least £1,270—to support themselves in the UK.

Employers must ensure that jobs meet minimum wage standards and comply with UK working hour regulations.

Applicants are required to provide various documents, including proof of funds, a valid passport, and a certified translation of any documents not in English.

For those whose sponsors can cover their initial costs, this must be indicated on the certificate of sponsorship.

The Seasonal Worker visa route is designed to allow foreign nationals to work in temporary roles within the horticulture and poultry sectors, meeting the fluctuating labor demands while maintaining domestic food production levels.

The government aims to keep costs down and provide certainty for these sectors to secure the necessary labor and skills.