Seasonal jobs in the UK: harvests, tourism, visas and the minimum wage

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What seasonal work is there in the UK?

British seasonal work rests on two pillars: horticulture, which harvests fruit, vegetables and flowers, and hospitality in coastal areas, national parks and major events. Christmas poultry, retail and year-end logistics complete the picture across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Since free movement ended in 2021, farm jobs are mainly filled through a dedicated visa, while tourism roles go to residents, youth mobility visa holders and Europeans who secured status before Brexit. Planning the immigration route comes before choosing the farm.

Regions and sectors that recruit

Kent, known as the Garden of England, concentrates orchards, soft fruit and hops. Herefordshire and Worcestershire grow strawberries and raspberries, East Anglia and Lincolnshire vegetables, and Scotland, in Angus and Perthshire, a large share of the country’s berries.

For tourism, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands and the Norfolk coast hire for the summer. Festivals, sporting tournaments and leisure parks take on temporary staff from May to September, often with on-site accommodation.

• Horticulture: tabletop strawberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, asparagus, daffodils.
• Poultry: preparing Christmas turkeys and geese from October to December.
• Tourism: hotels, pubs, campsites, holiday parks and heritage sites.
• Year end: retail, warehouses and postal delivery.

The UK seasonal calendar

Thanks to polytunnels, the soft fruit season now stretches over more than six months. The table below shows the main working windows, which shift with the weather and from south to north.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The same immigration rules apply across the United Kingdom. Scotland recruits heavily for berries and Highland hospitality, Wales for coastal campsites, and Northern Ireland for food processing and tourism around the Causeway Coast.

Who can work a season in the UK?

The UK is no longer in the European Union. Unless an exception applies, a French, Polish or Moroccan national needs a suitable work visa before starting any job, even a few weeks of picking.

Settled Europeans and Irish citizens

Europeans who lived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and obtained status under the EU Settlement Scheme work freely. Irish citizens benefit from the Common Travel Area and need no visa or permit at all.

The Seasonal Worker visa

This visa covers horticulture for up to six months and poultry from 2 October to 31 December. Applicants must be 18 or over, sponsored by an approved scheme operator and usually hold 1,270 pounds in savings. The application fee is 340 pounds.

For 2026 the government set quotas of 41,000 visas for horticulture and 1,900 for poultry. Holders cannot take a second job or a permanent post, claim public funds or bring family members with them.

Youth Mobility Scheme and other visas

The Youth Mobility Scheme lets young people from listed countries work for up to 24 months, aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35 depending on nationality. EU countries such as France are not currently listed; check gov.uk for any new youth scheme with the EU.

Pay and working conditions

All workers, whatever their visa, are entitled to the national minimum wage, paid holiday and protection against unlawful deductions. Employers of sponsored seasonal workers must also meet guaranteed-hours rules set by the Home Office.

Minimum wage from April 2026

Since 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage is 12.71 pounds per hour from age 21, while the rate is 10.85 pounds for workers aged 18 to 20 and 8 pounds for under-18s and eligible apprentices.

Guaranteed hours and accommodation

For horticulture and most poultry roles, sponsors must guarantee at least 32 paid hours per week at no less than 12.71 pounds per hour. Accommodation must be hygienic, safe and in good repair, with no unnecessary extra charges imposed on workers.

Tax and National Insurance

Seasonal workers need a National Insurance number and pay income tax through PAYE above the personal allowance. National Insurance contributions are deducted by the employer, who must provide an itemised payslip with every payment.

Steps to secure a UK season

For a non-British candidate without settled status, the visa determines everything else. Start with an approved scheme operator rather than with an individual farm.

1. Check your immigration position and the right visa on gov.uk according to nationality and age.
2. Identify an approved Seasonal Worker scheme operator recruiting in your country.
3. Apply to the operator and pass its selection interview.
4. Receive your certificate of sponsorship and its reference number.
5. Apply for the visa online up to three months before the start date and pay 340 pounds.
6. Show 1,270 pounds in savings unless the sponsor certifies maintenance.
7. On arrival, apply for a National Insurance number and open a bank account.

Mistakes and scams to avoid

The Seasonal Worker scheme has faced reports of abuse, including illegal recruitment fees charged in origin countries. These habits help protect candidates throughout the process.

• Paying an agent for a certificate of sponsorship: sponsorship cannot be sold.
• Arriving on a visitor visa to work, which risks removal and a re-entry ban.
• Accepting fewer than 32 paid hours a week without raising it with the operator.
• Ignoring accommodation deductions that are not in the contract.
• Switching employer without going through the operator, which jeopardises your stay.

Budget and documents

Start-up costs are high for a stay of at most six months. This table summarises the official amounts known for 2026 and the documents to prepare before applying.

How to fund the journey

The outbound ticket is usually paid by the worker, as is the visa fee. Some operators offer advances repaid from wages; such arrangements must be written, transparent and never reduce pay below the legal minimum.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the situations most often raised by international candidates interested in a post-Brexit season in the UK, particularly in farming and hospitality.

Can EU citizens still pick fruit in England?

Yes, but only with a suitable visa, usually the Seasonal Worker visa obtained through an approved operator, or with EU Settlement Scheme status. Without either, working even a few days is illegal and can lead to removal.

How long does the seasonal visa last?

Up to six months for horticulture; since 11 November 2025 this is assessed over any ten-month period, so workers can return sooner. For poultry, the stay runs from 2 October to 31 December, and applications must be submitted by 15 November of that year.

Can I work in a pub with the Seasonal Worker visa?

No. The Seasonal Worker visa is limited to horticulture and poultry. Hospitality jobs require another status, such as the Youth Mobility Scheme for eligible nationalities or a skilled worker visa sponsored by the employer.

Is accommodation provided by farms?

Most farms house seasonal workers in caravans or shared buildings, with a regulated deduction from wages. Sponsors must ensure the accommodation is hygienic, safe and well maintained, without hidden fees or excessive charges.