The UK plans to offer 43,000 temporary seasonal worker visas annually until 2029 for agricultural jobs. This provides employment opportunities for Nigerians to work in UK horticulture and poultry farms, earn income, send remittances home, and potentially explore long-term migration pathways.
In a move aimed at bolstering the nation's agricultural workforce and food security, the United Kingdom government unveiled plans to offer 43,000 seasonal worker visas annually and extend the program until 2029. The announcement follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's commitment of £427 million in farming grants earlier this year.
The expanded visa scheme, detailed by Environment Secretary Steve Barclay, targets labor shortages in key sectors like horticulture and poultry production. While 41,000 visas will be allocated to the horticulture industry for roles such as fruit, vegetable, and flower picking, an additional 2,000 visas starting in 2025 will cater to poultry workers.
"We have a world-class food and drink sector, and the measures announced today will strengthen this by boosting funding for the cutting-edge technology that will reduce reliance on migrant labor in the long term," Barclay stated. "Businesses do best when they can plan effectively for the future, which is why we've extended the seasonal worker visa route until 2029 to give farmers and growers the certainty they need to thrive."
The six-month Seasonal Worker Visas, formerly known as Temporary Work Visas, will be valid from October 2 to December 31 each year for horticulture roles. Poultry work applications must be submitted by November 15 annually.
The extension of the visa program until 2029 provides much-needed stability and planning horizons for UK agricultural businesses grappling with labor crunches exacerbated by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Farmers have long advocated for greater access to foreign workers during peak harvest seasons.
While welcomed by industry stakeholders, the move has reignited debates around immigration policies and the reliance on migrant labor. Critics argue that more robust investments in automation and workforce development could reduce seasonal hiring needs over time.
