Have you ever thought about what it would be like to live and work in the UK, surrounded by beautiful green fields. Imagine spending your days picking fresh, ripe strawberries under the warm sun. This dream can actually become a reality with a job as a seasonal farm worker.These jobs, like picking and packing strawberries, can help you get a visa to live and work legally in the UK. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about these jobs including what you need to have and how to apply for the visa. Let’s get you started on your new adventure in the UK.
Why the UK Needs Seasonal Workers
The UK needs seasonal workers because its fruit and vegetable farms don’t have enough local people to harvest all the crops, especially during the busy spring and summer months. This has caused a labor shortage. To solve this problem, the UK government has a special program called the Seasonal Worker visa. This program allows farms and hiring companies to bring in workers from other countries. These employers are looking for people who are ready to work hard and help with the harvest. You don’t need to have experience to be considered for these jobs.
What is the job actually like
Working as a strawberry picker is more than just picking fruit. It’s a job that requires physical effort, but it can be very satisfying. Here’s what a typical day might look like.
- Picking: You will spend most of your time picking ripe strawberries by hand from long rows of plants. This means you’ll be bending or crouching for a while. The work is fast-paced, and you might be paid based on how much you pick.
- Sorting and Checking: As you pick, you’ll need to look for any strawberries that are bruised, damaged, or not ripe yet. You’ll throw these away to make sure only good fruit is sold.
- Packing: You’ll carefully place the good strawberries into small containers. You have to be gentle so you don’t bruise the fruit.
- Stacking: Once the containers are full, you’ll label them and stack them onto large wooden platforms to get them ready for delivery. This might involve lifting some heavy boxes.
- Working with Others: You’ll be part of a team, and you’ll work with a farm manager to meet daily goals and work as efficiently as possible.
Who Can Apply for a UK Strawberry Picking Job?
Many people can apply for these jobs, which is a great thing. You don’t need to have a college degree or past experience. The most important things are your health and your willingness to work hard.Here are the main things you need to be able to do.
- Be 18 or older: You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
- Be in good physical shape: The work is very physical. It involves a lot of bending, lifting, and standing for long hours, no matter the weather. Being in good health is a must.
- Have basic communication skills: It’s helpful to know some English so you can understand instructions and work well with your team, but you do not need to take a formal English test.
- Be flexible: You should be ready to live on the farm and get used to a demanding work schedule, which often means getting up early and working long hours during the busiest time of the year.
Salary and Pay
The money you earn as a seasonal worker in the UK is tied to the National Minimum Wage. As of April 2025, the minimum wage for workers aged 21 and older is £12.21 per hour. However, many farms pay more than this, especially for picking jobs where your pay is based on how much you pick. If you work hard and are fast at picking, you can make a lot more than the minimum wage. With the chance for overtime and extra pay for being productive during the busiest times, it’s realistic to expect to earn over £400 to £500 a week
Common Benefits
- Visa Sponsorship: This is the most important part. Your employer, if they are a licensed sponsor, will give you a special reference number called a Certificate of Sponsorship CoS). This electronic record is what you use to apply for the Seasonal Worker visa. It’s proof that you have a job offer from an approved UK farm.
- On-site Housing: Many farms provide affordable living arrangements right on the farm. While a small amount for rent will be taken from your pay it’s a very easy and cheap way to live and work. The housing is typically a shared mobile home with a kitchen and a place to do laundry.
- Legal Protections: Since you are a legal employee, you are protected by UK labor laws. This means you have the right to get a proper payslip that shows your earnings and any deductions work in a safe environment and be paid on time.
How to Get a UK Strawberry Picking Job A Simple Guide
Applying for a UK seasonal worker visa might seem like a lot of work but if you follow a few steps you can do it successfully.
Get Your Documents Ready
Before you start looking for a job make sure you have a valid passport. It’s also a good idea to create a simple resume. On it, you should mention that you’re in good physical condition and list any past experiences you have with hands-on work, like gardening or construction, even if it was just a hobby.
Find a Real UK Employer
This is the most important part. You cannot get a visa without a job offer from a farm in the UK that is approved by the government. To find these jobs, you should:
- Look at the official list: The UK government has a list on its website of approved employers that can sponsor visas for temporary workers. Look for Scheme Operators for the Temporary Worker Seasonal Worker visa. This is the safest way to find real job providers.
- Contact approved hiring agencies: Many of the employers on the list are actually hiring agencies that work with several farms. Applying through one of these agencies is often the easiest and most common way to get a job. Be very careful of scams and never pay a fee to a recruiter. The only fees you should have to pay are the official visa application fees to the UK government.
Apply for Your Visa
If you are chosen for a job, your employer will give you a special electronic reference number called a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This number contains all of your job details. You will use it to apply for your Temporary Work Seasonal Worker visa on the official UK government website.You’ll need to submit your documents, pay the visa fee, and go to a visa application center in your home country to give your fingerprints and have your photo taken. After you do all of this, you will usually get a decision on your visa within about three weeks.
FAQs All your questions answered
How much will I be paid?
You will get paid at least the UK’s National Minimum Wage, which as of 2025, is £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. However, if you are a fast picker, you can earn more than that because many farms offer a piece rate which means you get paid for every basket of strawberries you fill.
Do to experience a farm
No, you don’t. These jobs are for beginners, and your employer will teach you everything you need to know on the job.
What if don’t speak English very well
That’s okay. It’s helpful to know some English to understand instructions and talk to your team, but you don’t need to pass a formal English test to get this visa.
Is it hard to get a visa sponsor
Finding a licensed employer who can sponsor your visa is the most difficult step. However, if you use the official list from the UK government to find real employers, you can increase your chances of finding a job.
Do to pay for visa
Yes, you are responsible for paying the official visa application fee and your travel costs. However, you should never pay a recruiter or a third party to process your application.
In conclusion, this is your chance for a UK adventure
Strawberry picking jobs in the UK are a great way to get a job overseas. With good pay, a place to live, and a clear path to getting a visa, these jobs are a perfect option if you want to work, save money and see the beautiful English countryside. If you’re ready for an outdoor hands on experience, start looking for a real UK sponsor today and begin your journey toward a life changing adventure.
The Official Visa Application
After you have a job offer and get your unique Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number from your employer you are ready to apply for the visa.
The only place to apply is on the official UK government website, GOV.UK. You will need to fill out an online form, upload your documents, and pay the visa fee. Using this official government site is the best way to make sure your application is safe and successful and that you don’t fall for any scams.