If you are looking to immigrate to the United Kingdom for work in 2024, then Uk farm jobs may be just what you need. And you are also in luck, with the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) having announced that it will roll out 45,000 temporary work visas to seasonal workers this year.
The announcement also means that there is a significant 50 percent increment on the 30,000 such visas issued IN 2022. This means that there will be more opportunities this year for aspiring UK farm workers, and that makes the prospect of getting a farm job even more attractive to you.
So, if you are wondering what the procedure for getting one of these visas is, as well as how can you go on to get one, then, you are in luck. In this article, we will look to answer these questions and also touch on all other important elements that can help your immigration to the United Kingdom in 2024.
So, why don’t you read on to the end?
Why you should apply for UK farm jobs
Farm jobs in the UK have proven attractive to many over the years, as it presents both a temporary and permanent opportunity to work in the UK, depending on your area of expertise, as well as your reasons for applying. But, why should you apply for UK farm jobs?
You should apply because:
- You stand to gain a lot working in the UK: As one of the world’s most developed nations, the United Kingdom has proven to be a top destination for prospective farm workers. Working as a farm worker in the UK can provide you with much-needed cash to take care of a lot of other things at home, improve your exposure and widen your horizon.
- You get to contribute to a noble course: But, apart from what you can personally gain from the experience, you will also be contributing to a noble cause. This is because the United Kingdom’s farming industry is also a vital part of the country’s economy, providing food and other products for both domestic consumption and export.
- Access to a wide range of opportunities: The farming industry in the UK is diverse, offering a wide range of job opportunities for people with different skills and interests. So, whether you’re interested in working with animals, growing crops, or managing land, there are lots of opportunities for you in the UK.
- You get full worker rights: You will also be working in a country that recognizes your right both as a migrant and as a worker. It does not matter if you come into the United Kingdom as a temporary or permanent worker, your rights as a worker will be protected and respected.
However, working in the UK is not a walk in the park, because there are procedures to it. You need to get the correct work visa and also present yourself as a candidate that is worthy of consideration. But, before we delve into all that, you may be wondering if farm workers are really in demand in the United Kingdom.
This is important when one considers the fact that it is never easy to move to a new country for work, and we understand. We know that you would probably be staking a lot if you are going to try for UK farm jobs this year, and that would mean that you would want to be absolutely sure before committing to it. You won’t stake it all on something that may not pay off, and that is something we can relate with. So, let’s examine that question a little more closely, shall we?
Are farm workers in demand in the UK?
There is actually a shortage of farm workers in the UK, more reason why you may fancy your chance to get UK farm jobs this year. In the earlier part of 2022, Bloomberg reported that fresh produce worth millions of pounds was left to rot in UK fields. This was due to a shortage of farm workers to work in these fields.
In fact, according to Megan Durisin of Bloomberg, farmers could not attract enough workers to pick crops, in the face of worsening cost-of-living issues. In the long run, this resulted in the loss of fruit and vegetables worth about 22 million pounds according to a survey conducted by the National Farmers Union.
This year, the United Kingdom will be looking to buck the trend by making sure that there are enough workers. So, you see why you stand a good chance of getting in this year?
UK Farm jobs – what are my options?
When it comes to UK farm jobs, you can either go for:
1. Temporary (seasonal) employment
Seasonal employment usually lasts a few months, after which you are expected to leave the UK.
Example of such jobs include:
- Farm workers
- Mushroom packers
- Fruit pickers
2. Skilled employment
There are vacancies in the agricultural sector for individuals that are skilled in various forms of farm operation. Employment visas for this category starts from 3 years and you could even go on to become a permanent resident of the United Kingdom.
Examples of such jobs include:
- Farm Human resources manager
- Farm Personnel manager
- Farm Recruitment manager
- Farm manager
- Farm Accounts manager
- Audit manager
- Credit manager
- Nursery manager (horticulture)
- Forest manager
- Racehorse trainer
- Aboricultural consultant
- Bee farmer
- Gamekeeper
- Share fisherman
- Trawler skipper
- Tree surgeon
- Grower
- Horticulturalist (market gardening)
- Market Gardener
- Nursery Assistant (agriculture)
- Nurseryman
- Agricultural contractor
- Agricultural technician
- Crofter (farming)
- Herd manager and so on
You may go any of these job options depending on your:
- Qualifications
- Wealth of experience
- Planned period of stay
- Ability to meet up with eligibility criteria
Also, each of the options is tied to a different visa type, which means that your application will depend on the option you are going for.
- Temporary employment – Seasonal worker visa
- Skilled employment – Skilled worker visa
How do i start a career in farming in UK?
You cannot work in the UK unless you have a job offer, and approved sponsor to guide you through the journey. Also, you now know, as we stated before, that you can either apply for a seasonal farm job or you apply for the Skilled worker visa.
But how do you go about all this?
1. Seasonal Worker Visa
To apply for the Seasonal Worker visa, go to the Home Office Seasonal Worker Visa Portal here. When applying, you are expected to submit the following documents:
- The reference number of your certificate of sponsorship – this will be given to you by your sponsor
- Valid international passport or any other document that can used to validate your nationality and identity
- Verifiable proof that you have at least £1,270 in your bank account. This must be your personal savings and must be available for your use (you may not need this if your sponsor states on the certificate of sponsorship that they will support you financially).
With a Seasonal Worker visa, you can apply to come to the UK and work in:
- Horticulture (like picking fruit, vegetables, or flowers ) for up to six months.
- Poultry from October 18 to December 31, 2023 (as long as you apply on time).
Note:
- You must have finished your application for a Seasonal Worker visa for the poultry industry by November 15.
- You can apply for Horticulture Seasonal Worker visas at any time of the year.
How long would the Seasonal worker visa application take
Because there are many like you out there, who are applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you may want to start your application early. Ideally, your sponsor would have stated the day you are expected to start working on you certificate of sponsorship, and that is what you need to work with.
Consider starting 3 months before your expected start date, and things would pan out nicely from there. Normally, you should know your fate 3 weeks after you start your application and submit all necessary documents. However, starting early allows you to still arrive on time, even if there are issues in the process of your application.
How much does it cost to apply for the Seasonal worker visa
To apply, you have to start by paying an application fee of £259.
How long can you stay in the UK on a Seasonal worker visa?
You can stay in the Uk for:
- As long as six months if you come in to work in horticulture from October 18 to December 31 each year.
- You can also arrive early before date you are meant to start your job (you can arrive 13 to 14 days early).
What you can do on a Seasonal worker visa
When you come into the UK on a seasonal worker visa, you can:
- Do the exact job that was stated on your certificate of sponsorship
- Go to school, as you are eligible to take some courses. However, you will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate before you can start
What you can do on a Seasonal worker visa
When you come into the UK on a seasonal worker visa, you cannot:
- Bring your dependents with you to the UK or get a job for them (unless they apply separately and meet the requirements for a seasonal worker visa).
- Apply for government funding in any way
- Apply for or take a permanent job in the UK
- Take additional jobs apart from the one that is stated on your sponsorship certificate.
Eligibility for the Seasonal worker visa
Applicants for the Seasonal worker visa for UK farm jobs must be at least 18 years old. You must also have a certificate of Sponsorship from an approved sponsor and Verifiable proof that you have at least £1,270 in your bank account.
2. Skilled Worker Visa
To apply for the skilled worker visa, go to the Home Office Skilled Worker Application Portal here. When submitting your application, you are expected to submit some documents, which includes:
- Valid international passport or any other document that can used to validate your nationality and identity
- The reference number of your certificate of sponsorship –this will be given to you by your employer
- English proficiency proof (IELTS)
- Information about your employer, including their sponsor licence number
- Information about your new job title and expected annual salary
- The occupation code of your job role
How long would the Skilled Worker Visa application take
Because there are many like you out there, who are applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you may want to start your application early. Ideally, your sponsor would have stated the day you are expected to start working on you certificate of sponsorship, and that is what you need to work with.
Consider starting 3 months before your expected start date, and things would pan out nicely from there. Normally, you should know your fate 3 weeks after you start your application and submit all necessary documents. However, starting early allows you to still arrive on time, even if there are issues in the process of your application.
How much does it cost to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa
When it comes to the cost of applying for the Skilled Worker Visa, there are two factors to consider:
- The application fee: The application fee for the Skilled Worker Visa depends on your expected length of stay.
- £625 per person if you are applying for a visa to stay in the UK for up to 3 years
- £1, 235 per person if you are applying for a visa to stay in the UK for more than 3 years
- The healthcare surcharge: Usually, the healthcare surcharge is £624 every year
- Money to support yourself: This is an amount of money that must be in your bank account when you are applying for the Skilled Worker Visa. The idea behind this is that the UK government expects you to be able to take care of yourself before your first payday. The minimum required amount is £1,270 (you can have more) and it must be in your bank account for at least 30 days in a row.
What are you allowed to do while on the Skilled Worker Visa
When you eventually start as a UK farm job through the Skilled Worker Visa, you are entitled to some rights, and it is only normal that you know those rights from now. Basically, ou can:
- Study in any of the UK’s institutions of learning
- Take up other jobs in addition to being a skilled farm worker (certain conditions apply in this regard)
- Volunteer
- Apply for permanent settlement in the UK (you must have lived in the UK for 5 at least years in addition to meeting other eligibility criteria)
- Bring dependents (your partner and child(ren) into the UK
- Travel out of and back into the UK without restrictions
What are you allowed to do while on the Skilled Worker Visa
Once you start working in the UK as a skilled farm worker, you are not allowed to do certain things. Some of the things you are not allowed to do is:
- You cannot change jobs or switch employers unless you visit the home office and update your visa
- You are not eligible and cannot apply for benefits connected to public funds and cannot apply for State Pension.
How to get a UK farm job sponsor
By now you must have noticed, that you can’t engage in UK farm jobs without a work visa, and you cannot get a work visa without an employment offer. What this means, is that your dreams of immigrating to the UK through the farm job route starts with getting a job offer from an approved employer (otherwise known as a sponsor).
So, how do you come in contact with prospective employers?
There are a number of ways to meet UK employers who would be willing to give you what you need to make your immigration a hitch-free exercise. To find UK sponsors for UK farm jobs, you can search online job boards, such as Indeed or Reed. You can also check the approved list of UK visa sponsors and connect with any of them.
However, while you are processing UK farm jobs, you may have friends that are also looking for jobs outside the shores of their country of residence. Do well to refer them to Canada farm jobs or Caregiver jobs in the United Kingdom.
FAQS
Do i need specific skills to be a seasonal farm worker?
No, you do not need to have any specific skills be a seasonal farm worker. All you need is the will and passion to do the work to the best of your ability.
Do i need certifications for skilled UK farm jobs?
Yes. You need the relevant qualifications for Skilled Farm jobs in the UK. But, beyond the qualifications, you may want to consider internationally recognized certifications in your field. These certifications may help you stand out from the crowd when employers are considering candidates.
How much do general farm workers earn in UK?
The average farm worker earns between 10 and 15 pounds per hour, depending on what the potential employer is offering. You may even be able to earn more, if your employers feels that you may tick a number of boxes for them.
How many hours do farm workers work in UK?
Farm workers work between 40 and 80 hours a week (depending on what works for you).
Conclusion
Overall, UK farm jobs offer a unique and rewarding career for those interested in agriculture. And education or experience is not a barrier at all. Professionals can apply for Skilled worker roles, while those that have no formal training can take the seasonal worker visa route.
That is what we call a win-win, for everyone!
So, whether you’re looking for a temporary job or a more hands-on job working with animals or crops, or a more management-focused role, there’s a farm job for you in the UK.
