Seasonal work on farms: guidance for workers
The type of seasonal work you can do on farms, who can apply, and where you can find work.work, how to avoid scams and working on UK farms.
- From:
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Published
- 29 April 2020
- Last updated
-
1016MayMarch20222026 — See all updates
Requirements for seasonal work
Seasonal work on farms usually involves:
plantinginvolvescrops- planting, harvesting
crops - and packing
crops
AgriculturalThe workerswork arecan classifiedbe asindoors keyor workersoutdoors underin theall categoryweather Foodconditions and othercan necessarybe goods.physical, Thisinvolving includesfrequent thoselifting involvedand incarrying foodof production,items processing,or distribution,operating salemachinery.
Most farms are in rural areas and delivery.want full time workers for a temporary season.
RequirementsWhere forto seasonallook workfor jobs
SeasonalIf you have a legal right to work onin farmsthe isUK, suitablelook for peopleseasonal withfarm alljobs levelson ofFind experience.a Youjob do- notuse needsearch toterms havesuch doneas this‘fruit kindpicking’ ofor work‘vegetable beforepicking’.
Alternatively ascheck thewith farmlocal willgrowers provideand training.labour providers who recruit directly.
Seasonal Worker visa
TheIf work:you do not have the right to work in the UK, you need a Seasonal Worker visa.
canTo
beobtainindoorsaorvisaoutdoorsyoudependingfirstonneed a sponsor. The approved visa sponsors (known as thecrop‘scheme operators’), are:- AGRI-HR
isConcordiaphysical,(UK)involvingLtd- Fruitful
frequentJobs - HOPS
liftingLabourandSolutionscarryingLtd - Pro-Force
ofLimited -
RE
itemsRecruitmentor(Poultryoperatingworkersmachineryonly)
You’llYouneedshouldto:only apply for seasonal work through these sponsors. If you are successful, the scheme operator will support you to get your visa.beA
ablescheme operator will not ask you tomakepay any money in exchange for atimevisa.Avoiding
commitmentrecruitment scamsYou will have to pay for your Seasonal Worker visa and travel costs to the
farmUK,-butmosttherefarmsisarenolookingfee forfullthetimesponsorshipworkerscertificate.In some countries you may also need to pay for:
- a criminal record check
consideratravelmedicalarrangementscertificate- a
asvisatheappointment - visa
farmbiometric processing - a labour ministry fee
Any other request for payment (for example, translation of your CV) is a scam.
The scheme operators may
beuse agents inayourruralcountryareato 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
liveindividual 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
farmschemeinoperatoremployerwebsite.providedYouaccommodationcan contact the scheme operatorforto check.Work offers will not be sent to you by scheme operators by:
- Telegram
- a
chargepersonal account
WhereIf you’re unsure about payments you are being asked to
lookmake,foryoujobsshould contact the relevant scheme operator using the contact details on their website.Working on UK farms
Before arriving to work
YouMostcanSeasonallookVisa workers will pay forseasonaltheirjobsvisaonapplicationfarmsfeefrom:and travel costs, for example flights.You may need to provide:
Finda criminal record check- a
jobmedical-certificate - payment
useto thesearchlabourtermsministry
What
‘fruityoupicking’will‘vegetablepaypicking’forYou 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
growersgroceries- living
whoessentials
You are likely to live
recruitondirectlyor-nearcheckthe farm in employer accommodation, for a legally specified maximum charge. You should not be asked to pay anything in advance forlocalaccommodation.What
opportunities
You
shouldwillcheckbe paid at the minimum National Living Wage (or in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales the appropriate agricultural wage) for at least 32 hours arangeweek.You
ofmaysitesbewherepaidtheremoreareaccordinglikelyto how much you pick, but you will still need to bemorepaidopportunitiesatforleastworktheoverNational Living Wage for thesummer.pay period.Keeping workers safe
FarmingFarmsandgrowingbusinessesare required tokeepprotectyouworkers’safehealth,by:safety, and welfare by providing:ensuringapremisessafeareworkplace- accommodation
- transport
- safe
cleanequipment including free personal protective equipment providingpropersafetraining andcleansupervision
If
accommodationyouiffeelrequiredunsafe(usuallyorathave any problem on asmallfarm,cost)ensuringtalkanytotransportthetheyfarmprovidemanagermeetsorsafetycontactguidelines