UK Seasonal Worker Visa (Tier 5) – All You Need To Know

Many international workers who travel to the UK to work on a short-term contract will apply for a temporary worker visa within the Tier 5 category of visas.

So, if you wish to go to the UK to do farm work for up to six months, you can apply for the UK Seasonal Worker visa, under the Tier 5 category.

In this blog post, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about the UK Seasonal Worker Visa.

Are you eligible for a Seasonal Worker visa?

UK Seasonal Worker Visa

To be eligible for a Seasonal Worker visa, you must be 18 or over, and have:

  • A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): you will need the reference number on the CoS that your sponsor employee assigned to you. Once assigned, your CoS will be valid for 90 days.
  • Sufficient funds: you will need to have enough money to support yourself while living in the UK. For at least 28 days in a row, you need to have at least £1,270 available in funds. Also, day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for your visa. If your sponsor employer is willing to support you, this will be marked on your CoS as ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’. You will not need to supply evidence of sufficient funds.

When can you apply for the Seasonal Worker visa?

In order to apply for this visa, you need to have a sponsor employer and you must meet the eligibility criteria, outlined above.

You can only apply for this visa within three months of the start date of your employment.

Basically, you can apply anytime in the three months prior to the date stated on your CoS.

What documents do you need for the application?

You will need the following documents to submit your visa application:

  • Passport – you will need to have at least one blank page in your passport
  • Evidence of sufficient funds

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation of them.

After you submit your application online, you must provide biometrics at a visa application centre.

Your biometric residence permit must be collected within 10 days of the date you stated that you arrive in the UK.

How much does it cost?

The fee for a Seasonal Worker visa for the UK is £244.

If you’re from one of the following countries, your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55.

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Poland
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Turkey

How long does it take to approve?

Once you submit your application, a decision should be made within three weeks. Alternatively, you can pay for a priority service and your application will be reviewed within 15 days.

When can you travel to the UK?

You are permitted to enter the UK once your visa is approved. You can enter the UK anytime up to 14 days before your employment start date.

You can only stay in the UK for six months on this visa.

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Conditions you must follow when on a Seasonal Worker visa

When you are in the UK on a Seasonal Worker visa, you can:

  • Work in the job that your CoS was assigned for
  • Enrol in a course you wish to study. Depending on the course, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

However, you cannot:

  • Work in a permanent job
  • Have a second job
  • Have a job that isn’t the one that your CoS was assigned for
  • Receive public funds
  • Have family members come to live in the UK with you

Why Visa First?

Visa First provides visa processing and immigration services. We provide an easy and convenient service for you.

Our global visa specialists take care of the tricky application forms and documents associated with arranging travel visas and permits.

If you are ready to apply for a Seasonal Worker visa for the UK, our visa experts will take care of everything for you!

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