The UK’s agricultural sector plays a crucial role in food production and relies heavily on seasonal labour, especially during harvesting months. UK continues to welcome foreign nationals through its Seasonal Worker visa scheme, allowing them to temporarily work on farms and horticultural sites across the country.
This opportunity is ideal for individuals seeking short-term employment, hands-on farming experience, and cultural exposure in the UK with visa sponsorship included.
Key Points:
- Job Title: Seasonal Farm Worker
- Location: Various farms across the UK
- Employment Type: Temporary, Full-time
- Contract Duration: 3 to 6 months (depending on the season/employer)
- Visa Sponsorship: Available through the UK’s Seasonal Worker visa
Responsibilities:
Seasonal farm workers perform a wide range of duties, which may include:
- Planting & Sowing: Preparing soil, sowing seeds, or transplanting seedlings
- Harvesting: Picking fruits, vegetables, or flowers based on ripeness and quality
- Weeding & Pruning: Maintaining crop health through manual weeding and plant trimming
- Irrigation: Setting up and maintaining irrigation systems to ensure an adequate water supply
- Fertilization: Applying fertilizers to improve crop yield
- Packing & Grading: Sorting and packing produce for transportation or sale
- Animal Care (if applicable): Feeding livestock, cleaning shelters, and monitoring animal health
- Farm Maintenance: Repairing fences, cleaning barns, and maintaining equipment
- Quality Control: Ensuring products meet farm and market standards
Check Also: Sponsorship Farming Jobs in UK for International Workers
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a seasonal farm job with visa sponsorship, applicants typically need to:
- Be physically fit: Farming is physically demanding and often requires lifting, bending, and standing for long hours in various weather conditions.
- Have basic English skills: The Ability to understand and follow simple instructions in English is essential.
- Agricultural experience (optional): While experience is helpful, most roles do not require prior farming work. Training is often provided on-site.
- Meet visa requirements: You must be eligible for the UK Seasonal Worker visa and receive sponsorship from a licensed employer.
Benefits:
Working as a seasonal farm worker in the UK offers several benefits:
- UK Government-Backed Visa Sponsorship:
- Legal opportunity to work in the UK under the Seasonal Worker Visa (Temporary Work route).
- Sponsorship provided by licensed UK farms and agricultural employers.
- No Advanced Qualifications Required:
- Most jobs are entry-level and do not require prior experience or formal education.
Suitable for unskilled and low-skilled foreign workers.
- Most jobs are entry-level and do not require prior experience or formal education.
- Short-Term Employment Opportunity (Up to 6 Months):
- Work legally in the UK for up to 6 months during harvest or planting seasons.
Ideal for earning income during the off-season in your home country.
- Work legally in the UK for up to 6 months during harvest or planting seasons.
- Competitive Hourly Wages:
- Pay ranges from £8.91 to £12+ per hour, depending on the employer and role.
Some jobs may include overtime pay.
- Pay ranges from £8.91 to £12+ per hour, depending on the employer and role.
- On-Job Training Provided:
- Training is provided for new workers to safely perform agricultural tasks.
No need for specialised farm skills beforehand.
- Training is provided for new workers to safely perform agricultural tasks.
- Low English Requirement:
- No formal English test is required.
Only a basic understanding of instructions and safety protocols is needed.
- No formal English test is required.
- Accommodation Support:
- Many employers provide on-site accommodation or assist in finding affordable housing.
Accommodation costs are usually deducted at low weekly rates.
- Many employers provide on-site accommodation or assist in finding affordable housing.
- Access to Health and Safety Protection:
- Workers are protected by UK health and safety regulations.
Employers must ensure safe working conditions.
- Workers are protected by UK health and safety regulations.
- Opportunity for Cultural Exchange:
- Gain international work experience in a multicultural farm setting.
Meet seasonal workers from other countries.
- Gain international work experience in a multicultural farm setting.
- Potential for Repeat Seasonal Employment:
- Reliable workers may be re-invited by the same sponsor for the next farming season.
Builds a path for returning employment.
- Reliable workers may be re-invited by the same sponsor for the next farming season.
- No Age or Gender Discrimination:
- Jobs are open to both male and female applicants, usually aged 18 or older.
Equal opportunity hiring encouraged.
- Jobs are open to both male and female applicants, usually aged 18 or older.
- Fast Processing Time:
- Visa processing typically takes a few weeks once sponsorship is issued.
Streamlined for seasonal needs.
- Visa processing typically takes a few weeks once sponsorship is issued.
Salary:
Pay rates vary based on the type of work, employer, and region. Most seasonal farm jobs offer hourly rates between £8.91 and £12, with opportunities for overtime during peak seasons. All workers must be paid at least the UK National Minimum Wage.
Types of Seasonal Farm Jobs:
- Fruit Picker/Harvester
- Greenhouse Worker
- Livestock Assistant
- Vineyard Worker
- General Farm Labourer
- Horticulture Worker (e.g., flowers, ornamental plants)
How to Apply for Visa Sponsorship Seasonal Farm Worker Jobs in UK?
- Search for Jobs: Look for seasonal vacancies on:
- Official employer websites
- Agricultural job boards (e.g., Pro-Force, AG Recruitment, Fruitful Jobs)
- UK Government’s list of licensed sponsors
- Apply Online: Submit an online application or contact the recruitment agency. Attach your CV and state your availability.
- Attend an Interview: Some employers may schedule a phone or video interview to assess your suitability and language skills.
- Receive Job Offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): If selected, the employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, which is required for your visa application.
- Apply for a Seasonal Worker Visa: Apply for the visa via the UK Home Office website. You’ll need:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Proof of savings (~£1,270 unless employer covers costs)
- Valid passport and biometrics
- Prepare for Travel: Once approved, book your flight and travel to the UK with all necessary documents.
Additional Information:
- The UK Seasonal Worker Visa allows foreign nationals to work in horticulture (fruit, vegetables, flowers) for up to 6 months.
- This visa does not currently apply to poultry, pig farming, or general agriculture outside horticulture.
- You must leave the UK at the end of your visa term unless you receive sponsorship for another job or visa type.
Conclusion:
Seasonal farm work in the UK offers a great way to earn income, experience life in the British countryside, and develop skills for future employment.
Apply early, as roles fill up quickly before the harvest season begins.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
What English language level is required?
You do not need to pass an English language test, but you should understand and follow basic English instructions related to health, safety, and task requirements.
-
Do I need prior farm work experience?
Not necessarily. While prior farming or agricultural experience is helpful, most seasonal farm jobs are entry-level and provide on-the-job training.
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What is a Seasonal Farm Worker Job in the UK?
Seasonal farm worker jobs involve temporary agricultural work such as planting, harvesting, packing, pruning, and animal care. These roles are typically needed during peak farming seasons (spring to autumn) and are crucial to the UK’s farming industry.





