The UK government has announced a five-year extension of its Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme, allowing farmers and food producers to continue hiring foreign workers on short-term contracts.
Originally set to end in 2021, the scheme was extended until 2024 following requests from the National Farmers Union (NFU).
Under the latest update, seasonal workers can now stay in the UK for up to six months.
In 2025, the UK will issue 45,000 seasonal work visas, divided as follows:
43,000 visas for horticulture jobs, such as fruit and vegetable picking.
2,000 visas for poultry processing, available between October 2nd and December 31st.
Only workers employed by approved scheme operators will be eligible.
Despite the visa extension, concerns remain over the treatment of seasonal workers. Some reports suggest that workers are tied to specific employers, making it difficult to leave if they face poor working conditions or abuse.
To ensure fair treatment, applicants are encouraged to choose reputable scheme operators and understand their rights before arriving in the UK.
