The UK government has announced that it will extend the seasonal worker visa route for five years until 2029, “to give businesses time to plan effectively… to invest in automation and move away from a reliance on migrant labour”.
By the Numbers
- 43,000 visas will be available to the horticulture sector in 2025
- 2,000 visas will be available for poultry workers in 2025
Further detail of the number of visas available for 2026 to 2029 will be set out later this year. This represents a reduction of 2,000 visas in addition to removing the extra 10,000 visas potentially available if sector demand had required.
The Migration Advisory Committee’s ongoing inquiry into the Seasonal Worker visa route is due to be published in summer 2024.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.