Seasonal work on farms: guidance for workers
The type of seasonal work on farms, who can apply, where you can find work, how to avoid scams and working on UK farms.
Requirements for seasonal work
Seasonal work on farms usually involves planting, harvesting and packing crops. It is suitable for people with all levels of experience, as the farm will provide training.
The work can be indoors or outdoors in all weather conditions and can be physical, involving frequent lifting and carrying of items or operating machinery.
Most farms are in rural areas and want full time workers for a temporary season.
Where to look for jobs
If you have a legal right to work in the UK, look for seasonal farm jobs on Find a job - use search terms such as ‘fruit picking’ or ‘vegetable picking’.
Alternatively check with local growers and labour providers who recruit directly.
Seasonal Worker visa
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you need a Seasonal Worker visa.
To obtain a visa you first need a sponsor. The approved visa sponsors (known as the ‘scheme operators’), are:
- AGRI-HR
- Concordia (UK) Ltd
- Fruitful Jobs
- HOPS Labour Solutions Ltd
- Pro-Force Limited
- RE Recruitment (Poultry workers only)
You should only apply for seasonal work through these sponsors. If you are successful, the scheme operator will support you to get your visa.
A scheme operator will not ask you to pay any money in exchange for a visa.
Avoiding recruitment scams
You will have to pay for your Seasonal Worker visa and travel costs to the UK, but there is no fee for the sponsorship certificate.
In some countries you may also need to pay for:
- a criminal record check
- a medical certificate
- a visa appointment
- visa biometric processing
- a labour ministry fee
Any other request for payment (for example, translation of your CV) is a scam.
The scheme operators may use agents in your country to help recruit workers. These agents will be listed on the scheme operators websites listed on this page.
They must be licensed on the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) register.
Do not engage with any other agent or individual and do not make any payments to them.
You should check that any communication related to your visa is from the contact details on the scheme operator website. You can contact the scheme operator to check.
Work offers will not be sent to you by scheme operators by:
- Telegram
- a personal account
If you’re unsure about payments you are being asked to make, you should contact the relevant scheme operator using the contact details on their website.
Working on UK farms
Before arriving to work
Most Seasonal Visa workers will pay for their visa application fee and travel costs, for example flights.
You may need to provide:
- a criminal record check
- a medical certificate
- payment to the labour ministry
What you will pay for
You will need funds to cover initial expenses before you receive your first pay. You’ll pay tax on your wages.
You will also need to cover other costs such as:
- accommodation
- groceries
- living essentials
You are likely to live on or near the farm in employer accommodation, for a legally specified maximum charge. You should not be asked to pay anything in advance for accommodation.
What you will be paid
You will be paid at the minimum National Living Wage (or in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales the appropriate agricultural wage) for at least 32 hours a week.
You may be paid more according to how much you pick, but you will still need to be paid at least the National Living Wage for the pay period.
Keeping workers safe
Farms are required to protect workers’ health, safety, and welfare by providing:
- a safe workplace
- accommodation
- transport
- safe equipment including free personal protective equipment
- proper training and supervision
If you feel unsafe or have any problem on a farm, talk to the farm manager or contact your scheme operator.
Updates to this page
-
Updated guidance and information for workers looking for seasonal work on farms.
-
Updated to remove obsolete references to COVID-19.
-
First published.