Important Update: Extension to the Seasonal Worker Visa Route

Extension to the Seasonal Worker Visa Route

The UK government has announced an extension to the Seasonal Worker visa route for another 5 years from 2025 to 2029, following an independent review.

The number of visas available to the horticulture sector in 2025 will be set at 43,000, with another 2,000 visas for poultry. The Government has acknowledged the continued need to provide strong support to the industry and allow them to forward plan their staffing requirements in the coming years.

Each year approximately 60,000 seasonal workers are required for these roles, of which fewer than 5% are British, 60% are migrant workers on 6-month visas from the Seasonal Worker visa route, and the remainder are EU workers with Settled Status and Ukrainians on extended visas*.

Investment in automation and increased training and recruitment of domestic workers is planned so that the demand for migrant worker visas will be reduced over this 5 year period.

At RE Recruitment we support the poultry and horticulture sectors across the UK with their recruitment needs, including skilled and unskilled workers from the UK and overseas. To learn more about our team, click here.

For more information about how we can support you, get in touch on 01242 505400 or email us on hello@rerecruitment.com

*Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-into-labour-shortages-in-the-food-supply-chain-government-response/independent-review-into-labour-shortages-in-the-food-supply-chain-government-response