UK Seasonal Worker Visa
Are you thinking of spending a season in the United Kingdom, working and getting to know its vibrant culture? The UK offers various opportunities for people looking for seasonal work in certain sectors, such as horticulture, for up to six months.
Work here attracts a huge number of foreigners from all over the world every year. The first plus is a decent payment. The second is excellent conditions. The third is the opportunity to see a new country and the world. However, all this is possible only by obtaining permission.
What is a Seasonal Worker Visa?
It makes it possible to work in certain industries seasonally. Available jobs include, for example, cultivating plants and animal husbandry. It assumes that a person will work for a specified period and return to their country.
This permit is intended for persons who are planning to temporarily carry out seasonal work for up to 6 months.
TApplicants under this route must be sponsored by an employer who will issue a certificate of sponsorship, which will make it possible to obtain a visa. The sponsoring employer will be responsible for the employee. The sponsor will thereby guarantee that the applicant:
- will perform certain work on the farm, according to the signed contract;
- will not apply for a permanent job;
- will strictly comply with all the conditions of their stay and will leave the country at the end of the permitted period.
One of the conditions for obtaining a permit to enter the country is financial stability. The person should receive wages and cannot count on state support.
What are the requirements for a Seasonal Work Visa?
To be eligible for the Seasonal Worker Visa, you need to meet certain criteria. Here are the key requirements:
- Age. The opportunity is available only for persons over 18 years old.
- Job Offer. You must have a confirmed job offer from a licensed UK employer in an eligible sector. The employer must provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) as proof of the offer.
- Financial stability. You need to demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK.
What Jobs Are Eligible?
The Seasonal Worker Visa UK is granted to persons who plan to work temporarily in the United Kingdom. In total, you can choose one of two directions:
- horticulture, which includes harvesting fruits or vegetables, or cultivating flowers and trees;
- animal husbandry, where you can engage in breeding or handling poultry.
The terms and conditions of work depend on the chosen direction.
Payment in the UK for such work can reach up to 12 pounds per hour. However, you should be prepared for the fact that the work of harvesting vegetables will be hard and requires good health and physical endurance. The sponsoring employers have a duty towards their workers and need to comply with strict rules and regulations regarding how many hours you are required to work, the working conditions and how much you are paid.
To obtain Seasonal Worker Visa UK sponsorship, you need to find an employer who is registered with the UK Government to hire workers from abroad. If you meet the requirements and are offered a job, they will issue you a digital CoS – Certificate of Sponsorship.
How to apply?
The process requires a lot of attention and can be broken down into stages. If a mistake is made anywhere, the application is at risk of being refused.. If you are not sure whether you are able to collect all the necessary papers, then it is best to contact experts who know exactly what is required. Professionalism and experience allow Sterling
Law to provide clients with peace of mind.
Obtaining the Seasonal Worker Visa involves several steps. Here’s a breakdown of the application process:
- Job offer. Secure a job offer from a licensed UK employer in an eligible sector. Ensure that the employer is willing to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Gather documents. Collect all the required documents, including your passport, CoS, proof of funds, and any other supporting documents.
- Complete the online application. Fill out the online visa application form accurately, providing all the necessary information.
- Pay the fees. Pay the relevant visa application fee.
- Submit the supporting documents. Documents can be uploaded online after submitting the application form.
- Biometrics appointment. Schedule a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and photograph.
- Attend an interview (if required). In some rare cases, applicants may be asked to attend an interview to further assess their eligibility.
- Decision and visa issuance. Once your application is processed, you will be notified of the decision. If approved, you will receive your visa.
It is important to keep in mind some of the features associated with a temporary work seasonal worker visa:
- your passport must be valid;
- there are no discounts when paying visa fees;
- it takes about 3 weeks to review most applications;
- medical insurance is not needed at the stage of obtaining a Seasonal Worker Visa, but it will be useful when
- travelling to the country.
What documents are required?
This is a standard list of documents for obtaining UK Seasonal Work Visa in 2023:
- reference number of your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS);
- up-to-date bank statements;
- a valid document proving your identity and citizenship.
Documents not in English must be translated into English.
How long does it take?
The process of obtaining a seasonal work permit takes about a month. Within three weeks after enrolling biometrics, you will normally receive a letter informing you of the decision on the application for a seasonal work visa to the UK. However, the process may take longer if additional documents are required.
How much does it cost?
A Seasonal Work Visa to the UK costs £298. It is advisable that you make the payment immediately after filling out the application form. The form is not submitted until the fee has been paid.
Conditions of stay
Those who have arrived in the country temporarily must comply with a number of rules.
You can:
- work at the workplace that is indicated in the issued sponsorship certificate;
- study.
It is prohibited:
- to work at a place not specified in the sponsorship certificate, including finding a permanent job, a second job, etc.;
- to receive funds from the state;
- To bring family members unless they have their own right to enter the UK.
How long can you stay in the UK?
The limit depends on the type of work.
- horticulture – up to six months in a 12 month period;
- poultry farming – period from 18 October to 31 December each year.
After the end of the period of permission, it is forbidden to be in the country. Re-entry is possible only after obtaining another permit.
How can we help?
Collecting documents and gaining knowledge about requirements and conditions is a time-consuming process with many legal subtleties. In such matters, a mistake can deprive you of the chance to travel as planned, so it is always better to trust professionals. Using expert services increases the chances of success.
Sterling Law’ provides legal assistance in obtaining a Temporary Work Visa. With extensive experience, a team of professionals will reliably and efficiently provide you with the necessary advice and representation.
Qualified process management is the best guarantee of results! No secrets and abstract promises. You will meet and talk to the person responsible for submitting the application. You are the one deciding the direction of your plans. Our task is to implement your decisions.
Specialists will analyse the documents available to the client and give recommendations on anything further that should be done, when necessary
Sterling Law guarantees a high quality of service. This contributes by:
- saving the client’s personal time;
- minimising the risk of failure;
- allowing the client to quickly collect a package of documents and simplify their submission;
- cost reduction.
Departure to another country can be fraught with certain difficulties. A visa is required to obtain official approval to enter another country. In addition, it is necessary to prepare all the documents (passport, proof of funds, insurance, as well as some other papers) and stay on top of all the relevant lists and requirements.
Specialists have all the relevant information and current requirements to hand, know what difficulties may exist when crossing the border, will advise you fully and, taking into account the specifics of the upcoming trip, will help with the formalities as soon as possible.
