Last Updated: May 12, 2026 · Source: UK Home Office — Seasonal Worker Visa
TL;DR: The UK Seasonal Work Visa (also called the Seasonal Worker Visa) allows Nepali citizens to work in the UK for up to 6 months in horticulture (fruit and vegetable picking) or poultry production. You do not apply directly to the UK government. You apply through a licensed operator such as Concordia, Fruitful Jobs, Pro-Force, HOPS, AG Recruitment, or Re-People, who issue your Certificate of Sponsorship. The visa fee is GBP 259 (approximately NPR 44,000). You must show at least GBP 1,270 (approximately NPR 214,000) in your bank account. The 2026 quota is 45,000 visas, with 43,000 for horticulture and 2,000 for poultry. Nepali workers have faced challenges with illegal recruitment fees, and some operators paused hiring from Nepal in past years. This guide explains the official process so you can apply without paying middlemen.
The UK Seasonal Work Visa is one of the few direct routes for Nepali citizens to legally work in a European country without needing a university degree or professional qualifications. It is a short-term visa, not a path to permanent residency, but it gives you 6 months of legal work experience in the UK at minimum wage. From 2019 to the first half of 2022, over 3,000 Nepali workers received UK seasonal work visas. The scheme has seen challenges with illegal fees and high abscondment rates from Nepal, which caused some operators to pause Nepali hiring. Understanding how the official process works is the best protection against being scammed. If the UK is not your only option, also read our guide on the Luxembourg work visa from Nepal and the UK Health and Care Worker Visa for other legal work routes.
What is the UK Seasonal Work Visa?
The UK Seasonal Worker Visa is a temporary work visa that allows non-UK nationals to come to the UK for seasonal agricultural and food production work. It replaced the Tier 5 Temporary Worker (Seasonal Worker) visa and has been extended through 2026. It is not tied to a specific employer: you must apply through one of the licensed scheme operators approved by the UK Home Office. As of 2025, only two job types qualify: horticulture worker and poultry production worker. Pork butchery roles were removed from eligibility. You cannot bring family members on this visa, and you cannot extend it beyond its initial period.
Who is eligible for the UK Seasonal Work Visa from Nepal?
To be eligible for the UK Seasonal Worker Visa, you must meet all of the following conditions according to the UK Home Office:
- You are at least 18 years old at the time of application
- You have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer licensed through one of the approved scheme operators
- You have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from your operator
- You have at least GBP 1,270 available in your bank account, held for at least 28 consecutive days within the 31-day period before you apply
- You have a valid passport with enough blank pages
- If required, you have a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from an approved clinic
- You do not have a criminal record that would make you ineligible
There is no language test requirement and no academic qualification minimum. The scheme is specifically designed for manual agricultural and food production work.
How to apply for the UK Seasonal Work Visa from Nepal
The application process for UK seasonal visa from Nepal runs through a licensed operator, not through a personal agent or local consultancy. Here are the steps in order:
- Find a licensed UK scheme operator. The approved operators for horticulture are: Concordia, Fruitful Jobs, Pro-Force, HOPS Labour Solutions, AG Recruitment, and Re-People. For poultry production, check the current list on the UK government’s operator list. Each operator recruits from different countries and may not always recruit from Nepal. Check each operator’s website directly for current Nepal recruitment status.
- Prepare your CV and cover letter. Operators review applications before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. Highlight any physical work experience, agricultural experience, or previous overseas work history.
- Apply through the operator’s online form. Each operator has its own application form on their website. Do not pay any third-party agent to submit your form. The application itself through the operator is free of charge.
- Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). If selected, the operator provides a CoS reference number. This is the key document for your visa application.
- Apply online for the Seasonal Worker Visa. Go to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal, create an account, and apply using your CoS reference number. Pay the GBP 259 visa fee online. You may also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge depending on the duration of your stay.
- Submit biometrics at VFS Global Kathmandu. After applying online, book a biometrics appointment at VFS Global in Kathmandu. Bring your passport and appointment confirmation. Processing typically takes about 3 weeks.
- Receive your vignette (visa stamp) and travel. If approved, your visa stamp (vignette) will be placed in your passport. Travel to the UK within the validity period shown on the vignette.
What documents do you need for the UK seasonal visa from Nepal?
Missing documents are the most common reason for UK Seasonal Worker Visa delays. Have all of the following ready before you start your online application:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must be valid throughout your planned stay. Bring a copy of the data page. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | Reference number provided by your licensed operator |
| Bank statement | Shows at least GBP 1,270 held for 28 consecutive days in the 31 days before applying |
| TB test certificate | Required for Nepal applicants from an approved clinic in Kathmandu |
| Police clearance certificate | May be requested by the operator or UKVI |
| UKVI visa fee receipt | GBP 259, paid online at time of application |
How much does the UK Seasonal Work Visa cost from Nepal?
The UK Seasonal Worker Visa application fee is GBP 259 (approximately NPR 44,000 as of May 2026). This fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused. You do not pay the operator for your Certificate of Sponsorship. If anyone in Nepal asks you to pay more than this government fee to secure a CoS or a job offer, that is an illegal fee. According to reporting by the Kathmandu Post, some Nepali workers paid up to NPR 1,200,000 to middlemen in previous years, which is both illegal and completely unnecessary.
| Cost item | Amount (GBP) | Approx. (NPR) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Worker Visa fee | 259 | ~44,000 | Applicant, non-refundable |
| Funds to show (not spent) | 1,270 | ~214,000 | Applicant (own bank, held 28 days) |
| TB test in Kathmandu | ~30-50 | ~5,000–8,000 | Applicant |
| Return flight KTM–London | Varies | ~NPR 80,000–1,50,000 | Applicant (sometimes employer sponsors) |
| CoS from operator | 0 | 0 | Operator provides free — never pay for this |
What work can Nepali seasonal workers do in the UK?
Under the UK Seasonal Worker Visa, you can only work in roles listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship. The two eligible job categories as of 2026 are horticulture worker and poultry production worker. Horticulture work includes picking and packing fruits, vegetables, and flowers, covering crops such as strawberries, raspberries, apples, field vegetables, and leafy salads. Poultry production work is limited to the period from October 18 to December 31, and you must apply by November 15 each year for poultry roles. You cannot work in any other sector while on this visa, and you cannot switch from this visa to another UK work visa without leaving the UK first.
How much can Nepali seasonal workers earn in the UK?
UK seasonal agricultural workers earn at the National Living Wage, which is GBP 12.21 per hour as of April 2026 for workers aged 21 and over. Working a standard 48-hour week, a seasonal worker can earn approximately GBP 585 per week before deductions. Over a 6-month period, total gross earnings could reach approximately GBP 14,000 to GBP 15,000, or approximately NPR 23 to 25 lakhs. However, accommodation costs (usually deducted from wages by the farm at around GBP 50 to GBP 70 per week), food, and daily expenses will reduce take-home savings. Nepali workers have reported saving around NPR 2,00,000 per month on average, or approximately NPR 12,00,000 for a full 6-month stint.
What are the challenges for Nepali workers on the UK Seasonal Visa?
The UK Seasonal Worker Scheme has specific issues that Nepali applicants must understand before applying. These are not reasons to avoid the scheme, but they are important facts that most consultancy guides leave out.
First, not all operators currently recruit from Nepal. Following reports of illegal recruitment fees and high abscondment rates, some scheme operators paused Nepal recruitment in 2023. You must check each operator’s current Nepal status before applying. Second, the scheme requires a legitimate job offer through an operator, and no agent in Nepal can guarantee you a spot. Any Nepali agent or consultancy asking for money to “secure” a UK seasonal job offer is conducting an illegal transaction. Third, workers are sometimes not provided the full 6 months of work promised, particularly in seasons with poor harvests. Check the employment contract carefully and ask how many guaranteed working hours per week are included. For official guidance and complaint mechanisms, see the UK Home Office Seasonal Worker Visa page and the Nepal Embassy in London’s guidance for seasonal workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a UK seasonal visa without going through an operator?
No. The UK Seasonal Worker Visa requires a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a licensed scheme operator. You cannot apply directly to a UK farm employer or to the Home Office on your own. Only licensed operators can issue the CoS that you need to complete your online visa application. If a person in Nepal offers to issue you a “CoS” without connecting you to an official operator, it is fraudulent.
Can I bring my family on a UK Seasonal Worker Visa?
No. The Seasonal Worker Visa does not allow you to bring dependants (spouse or children). This is a single-person temporary work visa, and family members cannot accompany you or join you in the UK under this route. If you want to bring your family to the UK, you need a different visa type, such as the Skilled Worker Visa.
Can I switch from a UK Seasonal Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa while in the UK?
No. You cannot switch to the Seasonal Worker Visa from inside the UK, and you cannot switch from the Seasonal Worker Visa to most other UK visa routes from inside the UK. To switch visa categories, you must leave the UK first and reapply from Nepal. The exception is that some Nepali workers use the seasonal work experience and the employer connections they build to later find a sponsored Skilled Worker role and reapply from Nepal. But this requires a separate Skilled Worker sponsorship process.
How many UK Seasonal Work Visas are available for Nepali workers in 2026?
The total 2026 quota for the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme is 45,000, with 43,000 allocated to horticulture and 2,000 to poultry. This quota is global, not Nepal-specific. The number of spots available to Nepali workers depends on which operators are actively recruiting from Nepal and how many Nepali applications they accept. Each operator sets its own recruitment targets by country. You should contact all six licensed horticulture operators directly and check their websites in early 2026 to find out if Nepal recruitment is open.
What is the minimum bank balance I need for a UK Seasonal Visa?
You need at least GBP 1,270 (approximately NPR 214,000) in your bank account. This amount must have been in your account for at least 28 consecutive days within the 31-day period before you submit your application. You do not spend this money on the visa. It is a proof-of-funds requirement to show you can support yourself initially before your first paycheque. If your employer certifies on the CoS that they will cover your first month’s living costs, you may be exempt from showing this balance.
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