UK Seasonal Worker Visa Checklist — £340, CoS & 6 Months
The Seasonal Worker visa is the temporary route for horticulture and poultry work in the UK. It costs £340, requires a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor, and allows up to 6 months for horticulture, or the 2 October – 31 December poultry season. You cannot bring family. Verified against GOV.UK, September 2026.
Stage A — Who it is for
- ☐ You are 18 or over.
- ☐ You have a licensed sponsor employer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
- ☐ You have enough money — usually £1,270.
- ☐ Your employer will pay you at least the minimum wage for the role.
Stage B — Documents
- ☐ CoS reference number (from your sponsor).
- ☐ A valid passport or other identity and nationality document.
- ☐ Proof of your money (for example bank statements) — unless the CoS shows the employer certifies your maintenance.
- ☐ Certified translations of any document not in English or Welsh (passports excepted).
Stage C — Fees and time limits
- ☐ Fee: £340.
- ☐ Horticulture: up to 6 months; applications run year-round.
- ☐ Poultry: 2 October to 31 December; apply by 15 November.
- ☐ Your CoS is valid for 3 months from the date it is issued.
Stage D — Applying and what you can do
- ☐ Apply up to 3 months before the start date on your CoS; usually a 3-week decision.
- ☐ You can do the job in your CoS and study (some courses need ATAS).
- ⛔ You cannot: work long-term, do a second or non-CoS job, claim public funds, or bring dependants.
Get it right the first time
- Watch the season dates — poultry closes on 15 November.
- Check the CoS maintenance box — it can replace the £1,270 proof.
- Translate any non-English document (passports excepted).
- Plan for no dependants — they cannot join you on this route.
Frequently asked questions
Who can sponsor a UK Seasonal Worker visa?
A licensed sponsor employer. You need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from them, and the job must be the seasonal work they sponsor you for.
How long can I stay on a Seasonal Worker visa?
Horticulture work is for up to 6 months. Poultry work runs from 2 October to 31 December of the year, and poultry applications must be made by 15 November.
How much savings do I need?
Usually £1,270 in available funds, unless your Certificate of Sponsorship shows your employer can cover your maintenance.
Can I bring my family?
No. You cannot bring dependants on a Seasonal Worker visa.
How long does a decision take?
Usually within 3 weeks. You can apply up to 3 months before the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
What documents do I need?
Your CoS reference number, a valid passport or identity document, proof of your money (unless the CoS covers maintenance), and certified translations for any document not in English or Welsh (passports excepted).
Official source: gov.uk — Seasonal Worker visa, eligibility and documents pages, retrieved 2026-09-27. Confidence A (official pages, quoted verbatim).
Related: see the UK visa checklist for other routes. Prepare your identity documents with the UK passport photo page, the digital file requirements guide, and check a finished photo with the passport photo checker. If your passport is near expiry, read the photo validity guide.