How do I apply to come to the United Kingdom as a seasonal worker?

This page explains how you can apply to work in the United Kingdom as a seasonal worker under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS).

Before making an application to the SAWS you should make sure you have read the pages that explain the eligibility requirements you need to meet.

SAWS operators

The scheme is managed by nine approved operators on our behalf. You need to apply directly to one of the approved operators. The contact details for the operators are available from the right side of this page.

Some operators recruit for work on farms throughout the United Kingdom while other operators recruit for farms within a small area or their own farm. If you want to work in a certain area of the United Kingdom you should make sure you choose the operator you contact carefully.

Work cards

If you are successful in your application to the SAWS you will be issued with a work card by the operator. This work card gives you permission to work in the United Kingdom as a seasonal worker. The work card will allow you to work as a seasonal worker for a minimum of five weeks and a maximum of six month. The time limit will be clearly marked on your work card.

We issue a fixed number of work cards to operators each year. Once these work cards have been issued to workers the scheme will be closed for the year and no more applications will be accepted.

The recruitment process and fees

Operators recruit workers in a variety of ways. You should contact the operator you want to apply to for details. All operators will accept an application from you directly, operators also use agents in your home country.

You should not have to pay a fee to the operator or agent to be issued with a work card for the SAWS. You may have to pay a fee for other services that the operator or agent provides to you such as making travel arrangements. The operator you chose will be able to provide you with full details of any fees you may have to pay. You should not be forced to use the other services on offer from the operator or agent. Operators are responsible for ensuring the fees charged are reasonable and that you are not discriminated against if you decide not to use the other services they offer.

Coming to the United Kingdom

As a European Economic Area (EEA) national you are entitled to come to the United Kingdom without the need to apply for our permission before you travel. When you arrive in the United Kingdom you should use the passport control for EEA nationals. You will need to show your passport to the immigration officer.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.