The UK Seasonal Visa allows you to move to the country and work in the horticulture sector for up to six months. You can also work in the poultry sector from 2nd October to 31st December in a calendar year, provided you apply before the 15th November of the same year.
To apply, you’ll need to have a sponsor and meet other eligibility criteria.
How Long Does it Take?
You can apply for a visa up to three months before the commencement of your job contract. This date appears on your sponsorship certificate. During the application, you must prove your identity and submit your documents.
After the online application, it takes three weeks to get a decision on your visa.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. The application fee is £298.
Eligibility Requirements for Seasonal Visa
You must be 18 years or older and have the following when applying for a UK seasonal visa.
- A certificate of sponsorship reference number from a registered UK sponsor
- Proof of subsistence – you must have at least £1,270 in your bank account unless you are exempt.
Additionally, your employer must prove your job adheres to UK rules regarding weekly working hours and meets minimum wage rules. If they don’t, the application will be refused.
Certificate of Sponsorship
A certificate of sponsorship is a reference number containing your personal information and information about your job offer. It isn’t a paper document.
You will receive your certificate of sponsorship from your employer. Once received, add the reference number to your visa application form. This number is valid for three months from the date it’s assigned to you.
Proof of Subsistence
You must have at least £1,270 to prove you can support yourself during your stay in the UK. The money must have been in your account for 28 consecutive days and the 28th must be within 31 days of your visa application.
Unless your sponsor can cover your costs, you must show proof of subsistence during your visa application. You can find more information about this by reading the guide on financial evidence.
If your sponsor can support you, they must include the information on the certificate of sponsorship. This is done by completing the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate.
Application Process
The entire visa application process is online. When applying, ensure your passport has at least two blank pages for stamping. If you have other types of travel documents e.g. stateless travel documents, they must also have spaces. You must provide translation for any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
During your application, you must prove your identity. This is done depending on your nationality and the type of identification document you have. You can have your photo and fingerprints taken at a visa application center or use the UK Immigration ID Check App to scan your document. If you use the latter, you must create a UK Visas and Immigration account.
