The United Kingdom provides numerous visa programs allowing people from other countries to visit and stay in the region. If you are seeking work of a temporary or seasonal nature, there is a specific visa program that allows you to live and work in the UK. It is called the seasonal worker visa, which replaces the former program, temporary worker – seasonal worker T5.
Understanding the Seasonal Worker Visa for Seasonal Workers
This visa can only be obtained by short-term workers who have lined up seasonal or temporary jobs and are eligible for all legal requirements. These temporary workers must also be from other countries outside the United Kingdom. Let’s discuss how this program works and how you can benefit from it.
Purpose and Eligibility
The seasonal worker visa aims to help UK employers seeking temporary workers. Often, there are not enough skilled local workers for open positions, so businesses will look to sponsor foreign workers from overseas. The primary industries for this visa program are horticulture and poultry. Eligible individuals must be over 18, have a sponsorship from an approved UK employer, and have enough money to support themselves.
Key Features
If you obtain this visa as a temporary worker, you can stay in the UK for a short time, depending on the industry you choose. You can study during your time here but are not allowed to take a permanent job or work in a second job not included in your application.
Sectors Covered
Only two industries are relevant to this type of visa: horticulture and poultry. If your temporary labor is in the horticultural industry, you can stay in the UK for up to six months at any time of year. In the poultry industry, you can only live in this country between 2 October and 31 December each year.
Eligibility Requirements for the Seasonal Worker Visa
A foreign worker can apply for this visa if they meet the eligibility requirements and do not plan to bring any family members. Here are some mandatory qualifications if you hope to live in the UK as a temporary worker in the horticulture or poultry sectors.
Certificate of Sponsorship
To submit your application for a seasonal worker visa, you must submit a Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved employer. Employers can apply for a sponsorship license through the home office, and if they are in the poultry or agricultural sector, they can sponsor foreign nationals for temporary work.
Age Requirement
You can only obtain temporary labor certification if you are at least 18. Anyone below this age is not eligible to apply for this program through Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Financial Requirement
You cannot burden society if you are a foreign worker in the UK, so you must have enough funds and income to support yourself. Unless you are exempt from this aspect of the application, you must have $1,672 in savings when you start your position. Additionally, the employer must be able to provide minimum wage and the required number of hours to adhere to this visa category.
Other Requirements
Your labor certification could be rejected if you fall short of other eligibility requirements related to health or criminal misconduct. With limited exceptions, if you have committed crimes in the past, this could prevent you from finding temporary labor in the UK. Your employment application could also be refused if you have a severe health condition that would burden the healthcare system.
Applying for the Seasonal Worker Visa
Any person seeking a seasonal or temporary job in the UK must complete an application process. Here are the steps to apply for a temporary or seasonal work visa.
Online Application
The visa application is an online form. You can apply through the Home Office website by completing the questionnaire and attaching all relevant documents. If you are unsure how to complete the application, consult an immigration lawyer.
Supporting Documents
Your application will require numerous documents to serve as a temporary employee in the UK. You should have your passport, Certificate of Sponsorship from the employer, and proof of finances. Sometimes, the Home Office may assess your application and ask for additional documentation.
Biometric Enrolment
Part of the identification process for a foreign worker is biometric enrollment. This typically involves fingerprinting and a new photograph taken at a visa application center. This step is required for your identity as a foreign national in the UK.
Visa Application Fees
There is an upfront fee to have your application processed by the Home Office. This application fee is roughly $392. Other costs could apply depending on your circumstances, but this is the primary upfront cost for this visa program.
Processing Times
For temporary labor certification, you can apply up to three months before the first day of employment. If you complete your application and provide all necessary documents upfront, the processing time is typically around three weeks. It could take longer if you have to make an appointment for biometric enrolment.
Working in the UK on a Seasonal Worker Visa
Many foreign workers take advantage of this program to take temporary jobs in the United Kingdom. While this program has numerous benefits, it also has essential restrictions. Here are some of the features that come with this work visa.
Permitted Work
You are only allowed to do the work outlined in your labor certification. If you apply with a sponsored job offer in seasonal agricultural work or the poultry industry, that is the only job you can do with this visa. Your job must also fall within the timeline of the visa program, which is six months for horticulture and 2 October to 31 December for poultry.
Work Restrictions
You cannot apply for this visa for non-agricultural industries. Additionally, you are not allowed to take a second job or switch to a new job that is separate from the one listed in your application. Seasonal workers cannot work more than 48 hours a week unless they choose to. They are entitled to one day off each week or two days off every two weeks.
Employer Responsibilities
You also have rights as an employee working on this visa. The employer must pay at least the minimum wage for your work and adhere to the hour restrictions listed above. The employer cannot change your status as a temporary worker, and they must provide safe working conditions for all employees.
Common Reasons for Seasonal Worker Visa Refusals
Even if you are qualified to stay in this country on a seasonal worker visa, your application could be refused for numerous reasons.
If there is insufficient evidence of your application claims, the assessors could reject it. For example, if you cannot prove that you are over 18 with legal documentation, you may not qualify for the visa. Financial concerns about your savings could also be enough to result in a refusal since it is expected that you can support yourself while in the country. If you are deceptive on your application or misrepresent your circumstances, this will result in an immediate refusal, making it harder to acquire another visa in the future.
Tips for a Successful Seasonal Worker Visa Application
Several strategies can be employed to optimize your application and increase your chances of approval from Citizenship and Immigration Services.
First, you should apply as early as possible before the start date of your position, which means up to three months ahead of time. This will provide ample time for review in case there are delays. Second, gather all the documentation you may need before applying online. If you provide all the additional information the Home Office needs to make a decision upfront, your chances of approval will be greater. Finally, be honest and accurate as you fill out the application. Misinformation could have severe consequences, making it challenging to apply for any type of visa in the future.
If you are still concerned about having your application approved to work in this country, you should request assistance from an immigration professional. This person can ensure you navigate the process correctly and with the best chance of success.