First 30 days of a seasonal worker in UK — day by day (2026)
Arrived at the farm for the first time? Day 0 — go through border, do not bring meat/dairy (fine up to £5,000), buy SIM, £100–200 cash. Day 1 — read your contract (NLW £12.71/hour 2026), take photos of your caravan, keep your passport with you. Week 1 — NI Number + bank account. Month 1 — review checklist Green vs Red zone. Help: GLAA 0800 432 0804, NI 0800 141 2079, NHS 111.
Day 0 — airport, customs, SIM, casheVisa check, which foods NOT to bring, where to get SIM, how much cash
Border (UK Border Force)
From 31 December 2024 BRP cards are not valid. You have eVisa, digital status. Officer scans your passport, eVisa is pulled from your UKVI account automatically.
What to have offline on your phone (in case of weak Wi-Fi):
- Screenshot of eVisa profile from UKVI account
- Share code — generate before flight, valid 90 days
- CoS reference (Certificate of Sponsorship) from operator
- Operator contacts — London office + farm liaison
- Exact farm address
Seasonal workers must go through the standard corridor See an Officer — not through eGates.
Customs — what you cannot bring
You CANNOT bring from any country (including UZ/KZ/TJ/KG): meat, dairy products, cheeses. Kazy, kurut, chuchuk, canned meat, kort, suzma, any sausage — confiscation + fine up to £5,000 in England.
From 12 April 2025 the ban was extended to EU meat/dairy because of foot-and-mouth disease.
You can bring: biscuits, sweets, pasta, bread without meat/cheese filling, canned plant products, spices in factory packaging.
Cash declaration: only if you carry £10,000+ (in any currency). Less — no declaration needed.
SIM card at the airport
Buy it immediately — without a UK SIM you cannot open a bank, apply for NI Number, or contact your operator.
- Lebara / Lyca (£10) — better for CIS calls. Shops WHSmith / Boots in arrival area.
- EE (£15-20) — best coverage in remote rural areas (Norfolk, Kent, Essex, Lincolnshire).
- Passport for buying SIM — NOT needed.
Cash
Bring £100–200 in £10/£20 notes. Why:
- Many farms are in remote areas, ATM not everywhere
- First salary comes after 1-2 weeks
- Transport from airport to farm (if operator does not meet you)
DO NOT exchange currency at the airport — markup 5–10% on the rate. Better to top up Revolut in USD/EUR and exchange inside the app at mid-market rate.
Day 1 — arrival at farm, contract, caravanWhat the operator MUST do + your checklist (passport, contract, caravan photos)
Seasonal visa is a tied visa: you are tied to a licensed operator (sponsor), not to the farm. The farm is a labour user. Under the Fair Work Agency (formerly GLAA) licence, the operator must on the first day:
- Written contract (Particulars of Employment) in a language you understand. Base rate ≥ £12.71/hour (NLW from 1 Apr 2026). Guaranteed hours are written.
- Health & safety briefing. Free PPE (gloves, boots, protection).
- List of emergency contacts — including GLAA, ACAS, NHS.
- Accommodation — meets sanitary and technical standards.
Your checklist (CRITICAL)
- Read the whole contract. If the language is unclear — ask for a translation. Do not sign "blindly".
- Take a photo of the contract on your phone. Keep your own copy — do not give it "for safekeeping" to the manager.
- Inspect the caravan / hostel:
- Does the toilet work?
- Does the shower work?
- Does the heating work (even in summer — check)?
- Do the windows close?
- Mould on walls?
- Electricity — do sockets work?
- Photograph ALL defects on day 1, with timestamp. Send to manager by email with descriptions. This creates digital evidence — protection against illegal deductions for "damage" at the end of the season.
- Passport ALWAYS with you. Any request to "keep it for safekeeping" / "in the office safe" is a marker of modern slavery. Call GLAA 0800 432 0804 anonymously.
Accommodation deduction limit 2026: the farm cannot deduct more than £77.70/week (£11.10/day) for basic accommodation (NMW Amendment Regulations 2026). Any extra deductions (transport, equipment) must be agreed in writing. Forced deductions are illegal.
Days 2-3 — bank + first work shiftsRevolut/Monzo in 5 minutes. Piece rate vs hourly. Wage theft patterns.
Open a bank account (neobank)
Traditional UK banks (Barclays, Lloyds) require Proof of Address — impossible for caravan residents. Solution — neobanks.
- Download Revolut / Monzo / Starling (App Store / Google Play). Free.
- Registration — UK phone number (new SIM), email, name as in passport.
- Identity verification — photo of passport + video selfie. Status confirmation — eVisa share code (90-day validity).
- Sort Code + Account Number appear in the app immediately. Give them to farm payroll for salary.
- Apple Pay / Google Pay — add virtual card, you can pay with your phone without a physical card.
Full comparison of banks for migrants →
Piece rate vs hourly
Most farms use a hybrid system: payment by weight or number of boxes (piece rate). An experienced picker at peak — £15-20/hour. A beginner starts at £8-10/hour while the body adapts.
The law strongly protects beginners: if your piece rate pay, when converted to hours worked, falls below £12.71/hour (NLW), the farm must pay the difference. This is a legal obligation.
Wage theft — typical patterns
According to Worker Support Centre Scotland (2023), typical violations:
- They pay only for "active picking" (~8 hours), but ignore waiting time for containers / moving / briefing (~4 hours). You worked 12 hours, they paid 8.
- "Confusing records" — manager's notes differ from reality.
- Removing shifts as punishment for complaints.
Protection: keep your own notebook — exact start/end time of each shift every day. This is your only counter-evidence in a dispute. If violations are systematic — contact GLAA 0800 432 0804 (anonymously) or ACAS 0300 123 1100.
Week 1 — NI Number + activate eVisaApply online in 10 minutes. Without NI = Emergency Tax 20% on all income.
NI Number application
- Go to gov.uk → "Apply for a National Insurance number" → goes to apply-national-insurance-number.service.gov.uk. Free.
- Documents: passport, eVisa share code, UK address (camp address on farm = valid), mobile + email.
- Fill the form — name as in MRZ of passport, reason "working or looking for work".
- Identity verification — selfie + passport through HMRC App (NFC scanning). Without NFC — postal verification, +3-4 weeks.
- Get Application Reference Number — write it down! Needed to call DWP if 4 weeks pass without a letter.
- Wait for letter — usually 4-8 weeks, in peak (Apr-Aug) — up to 14 weeks.
Helpline for NI Number:
- England / Scotland / Wales: 0800 141 2079 (M-F 8:00-17:00, free from UK mobile)
- Northern Ireland: 0800 587 0024
- HMRC general (with interpreter): 0300 200 3300
Until you get NI Number the employer uses emergency tax code (1257L W1/M1, BR or 0T). On BR: 20% on all salary without £12,570 allowance. On £500/week this is −£48.35/week vs correct 1257L. For a 26-week season = −£1,257. This money will come back through retroactive recalculation after getting NI or through P85 after leaving.
Full guide to NI Number — tax codes, edge cases, fixing emergency →
eVisa activation
eVisa must be active in UKVI account before you fly. Check:
- Log into UKVI account on gov.uk
- Generate share code — for employer, landlord, any checks
- Share code valid 90 days — generate again when needed
Week 2 — first payslip, auditThe main skill for financial survival — read payslip every week
By the end of week 2 you get your first payslip. You must check EVERY one.
What to check on payslip
- Gross Pay — gross. Must be = (hours worked × £12.71) minimum. If piece rate is used — must be recalculated to NLW if you did not produce enough.
- Income Tax — standard rate 20%. Applied only to gross above Personal Allowance £12,570/year (≈ £241.73/week on 1257L). If below — tax = £0.
- National Insurance (NIC) — 8% on gross above £242/week (Class 1 employee 2026/27). On £500/week = £20.64.
- Tax Code — critical column.
- 1257L — standard, correct
- 1257L W1/M1 — emergency, temporary (will be fixed after NI)
- BR / 0T — Emergency, 20% on everything, fix urgently via 0300 200 3300
- Accommodation Deduction — ≤ £77.70/week (£11.10/day) by law. More = violation.
- Other deductions — must be agreed in writing. Forced deductions for "transport to field", "equipment rental" are illegal.
Example typical payslip for seasonal worker (£500/week on 1257L, accommodation £77.70):
- Gross Pay: £500.00
- Income Tax (20% above £241.73): £51.65
- NIC (8% above £242): £20.64
- Accommodation: £77.70
- Net: £350.01
Save EVERY payslip to the cloud (Google Drive / iCloud / OneDrive). HMRC requires keeping tax records for up to 6 years. In case of a dispute with the farm, this is the only evidence.
Weeks 3-4 — GP, transfers home, Council TaxNHS free. Wise/Paysend comparison. Caravan Tax exemption.
GP registration (NHS)
Seasonal workers with visa ≤6 months are exempt from Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This means:
- NHS A&E (emergency) — free for everyone
- GP primary appointment — free when registered as temporary patient (>24 hours in area, <3 months)
- Planned or specialised treatment — may require payment
By NHS rules, refusal of GP registration because of no Proof of Address is illegal. If they refuse — insist or find another clinic.
Non-emergency: free 24/7 number NHS 111 (interpreters available). Life threat — 999.
Council Tax
Seasonal workers in operator-provided caravan/hostel on agricultural land — usually do NOT pay. This is business rates / agricultural exemption on the farm side, not Council Tax of the worker.
If in exceptional cases the worker rents private accommodation outside the farm — must register with local council within 21 days.
First money transfer home
SWIFT transfers through UK banks are not good (fee + bad rate). Best services:
- Uzbekistan: Paysend (£1 fixed to Uzcard/Humo) or TransferGo (first 2 instant transfers free)
- Kazakhstan: Wise direct to KZT via SWIFT to Kaspi
- Kyrgyzstan: TransferGo (first 2 free)
- Tajikistan: Paysend to Korti Milli
On £500 the difference between best and worst method is ~£25-35 loss.
Month 1 — review checklist (Green vs Red zone)What should work by day 30. What is a marker of exploitation.
🟢 Green zone — everything works
- Cell signal stable, banking app active, salary comes weekly to UK Sort Code/Account Number
- NI Number application submitted; letter expected (or already arrived — copy to farm payroll)
- 3-4 payslips in a row: tax code 1257L (or W1/M1) + accommodation deduction ≤ £77.70/week
- Caravan conditions: heating works, shower works, no mould, windows close
- Contract signed, copy (photo) in your cloud
- Hours match agreed minimum (32+ hours/week)
- Manager replies to email, no conflicts
🔴 Red zone — IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION
Any of these factors — contact GLAA / ACAS / Police immediately:
- ❌ Written contract not given / refusal to give a copy
- ❌ Passport held under any pretext
- ❌ Salary paid in cash in envelope without payslip (illegal + loses right to tax refund)
- ❌ Isolation: ban on leaving farm territory on weekends
- ❌ Punishment for complaints (removal of shifts)
- ❌ Systematic failure to provide minimum hours without objective reasons (weather)
- ❌ Threats of deportation from manager/foreman — they have no such authority
- ❌ Salary less than £12.71/hour even after piece rate recalculation
Where to contact:
- GLAA / Fair Work Agency: 0800 432 0804 (anonymous, 24/7) — labour exploitation, modern slavery
- ACAS: 0300 123 1100 (M-F 8:00-18:00) — employment rights, free
- Modern Slavery Helpline (Unseen): 0800 012 1700
- Police: 999 (immediate threat) or 101 (non-emergency)
All communication with employer should be by email — this creates written evidence.
8 typical mistakes of first daysExploitation patterns of seasonal workers from Central Asia — what not to do
Based on case work of Worker Support Centre Scotland and Migration Policy Centre, 8 most common mistakes:
1. Giving passport to operator / foreman "for safekeeping"
"Safety reasons in a small caravan" — manipulation. Holding passport = restricting freedom of movement = marker of modern slavery. Solution: passport ALWAYS with you. Forced taking — call 999 or GLAA.
2. Signing contract "blindly"
You signed without reading → later you cannot prove violations. Solution: ask for translation into a language you understand. You have the right to take time to read.
3. Only one copy of contract stays with farm
Solution: take photo on phone on the day of signing. Keep your original with you.
4. Using personal Telegram / WhatsApp for work communication
Foreman creates a chat for shifts. In a conflict he removes you → evidence of hours disappears. Solution: critical issues (complaints, transfer requests) — only by email to operator.
5. Not documenting caravan condition on day 1
At end of season — bill £200-500 for "broken fridge". Solution: photo + video on day of arrival with timestamp → send to coordinator with description.
6. Ignoring Health & Safety briefing
You signed safety log without understanding → if you get injured at work, the farm will claim you broke the rules you signed. Solution: ask for materials in a language you understand + Google Translate.
7. Staying silent about time tracking problems
You see: 12 hours in field, 8 in foreman's records. You are afraid to object. Solution: your own notebook / phone notes with exact start/end times. ACAS 0300 123 1100 for advice.
8. Paid a scam agent "for guaranteed place"
Agents in Central Asia take up to £5,000 for placement. This is a complete scam — real visa fee = £340, operator does NOT charge for placement. If you paid, you are in debt before you leave. Migration Policy Centre specifically investigates this scheme.
Letters to the farm — what arrives whenNI letter, P45, P800 — timeline and what to do with each
The British system is built on postal mail. Understanding the schedule removes half the stress.
| Document | Sender | Timing | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| NI Number letter | HMRC / DWP | 4-8 weeks (peak up to 14) | Take photo → copy to farm payroll. Not arrived after 8 weeks? Call 0800 141 2079 + Application Reference Number. |
| Tax Code Notice (P6/P9) | HMRC → employer | When status changes (after getting NI) | Check new code in next payslip. Should be 1257L cumulative. Overpayment returns through salary. |
| P45 | Employer | On last working day | CRITICAL for P85. Keep Parts 1A/2/3. Without P45 tax refund becomes much harder. |
| P800 (Tax Calculation) | HMRC | June–November after 5 April | If overpayment — refund details. Check through Personal Tax Account on gov.uk. |
| P60 | Employer | Only if employed on 5 April | Rare for seasonal workers because of 6-month limit. This is annual income report. |
What to photograph to the cloud (mobile office)Caravan is damp, paper documents get lost. Digital copy = protection.
Conditions in caravan = high humidity + frequent moves between farms. Paper documents get lost. Without a copy you lose the ability to protect your rights.
Concept of "mobile office"
- Create a password-protected folder in the cloud (Google Drive / iCloud / OneDrive / Dropbox).
- Use scanner apps (Apple Notes, Samsung Notes, Microsoft Lens) — NOT just photos in bad light.
- Digitise documents on the day you receive them. Do not postpone.
What must be forever in the cloud
- Scans of all passport pages (in case of loss abroad)
- eVisa screenshot from UKVI account + Visa Decision Letter
- CoS reference (Certificate of Sponsorship)
- Operator contract + accommodation agreement
- EVERY payslip — HMRC requires keeping for up to 6 years
- P45 on the day you receive it
- NI Number letter
- Bank account opening confirmation
- Photo/video of caravan condition on day 1 (to dispute fines at end of season)
- Email correspondence with manager + complaints to operator
- Screenshots of Telegram/WhatsApp conversations about shifts (if used)
All these documents in one place will let you submit P85 for tax refund within an hour after leaving.
Emergency contacts — save in your phone
| Number | Who | When to call |
|---|---|---|
| 999 | Police / Ambulance / Fire | Life threat. Free from any phone, even without SIM. |
| 111 | NHS 24/7 | Medical advice (not emergency). Free. Interpreters free. |
| 101 | Police non-emergency | Complaints, theft, non-critical situations |
| 0800 432 0804 | GLAA / Fair Work Agency | Labour exploitation, modern slavery. Anonymous. 24/7. |
| 0800 012 1700 | Modern Slavery Helpline (Unseen) | Alternative to GLAA. Charity-run. |
| 0300 123 1100 | ACAS | Employment rights. M-F 8:00-18:00. Free. |
| 0800 141 2079 | NI Number help | England/Scotland/Wales. M-F 8:00-17:00. |
| 0300 200 3300 | HMRC general | Taxes. With free interpreter. |
| 0800 144 8848 | Citizens Advice | Free general advice (housing, debt, etc.) |
Worker stories — public sourcesWorker Support Centre, ITV News, Migration Policy Centre — real cases
Worker Support Centre Scotland (WSC)
A real charity helping seasonal workers in Scotland. Talgat — advisor, speaks Kazakh, English, Russian, has experience in seasonal agriculture. WSC does case work with UZ/KZ/TJ/KG seasonal workers.
Top issues 2023 (according to their data): unsafe accommodation, problems with transfer to another farm, discrimination, unlawful deductions.
ITV News investigation — Essex farms
Investigation showed workers placed in old leaking caravans with black mould on walls. Witnesses described conditions as "dangerous to health". Regular GLAA + UKVI raids confirm the problem.
Migration Policy Centre — "High hopes, hidden scams"
Detailed research on scam agents in Central Asia. Workers pay £3-5K for "guaranteed place" → bondage, cannot quit until debt is paid. Real visa fee = £340, operator does NOT charge for placement.
Scottish Left Review — "Picking Without Freedom"
Case study of Kevin (Uzbekistan, Scotland 2024). Geography of isolation, manipulative time tracking (12 hours work, 8 paid), blocked transfer when operator lost licence.
The Grocer (January 2024)
"Number of migrant workers seeking help after leaving UK farms doubles in past year". Statistics of WSC contacts, cases up 100%.
25 frequently asked questions
What exactly should I do on the first day in England?
Go through border (eVisa share code on phone). Buy SIM at WHSmith / Boots (Lebara / Lyca £10 for cheap calls to Central Asia). Travel to farm. At farm: read and photograph contract, inspect and photograph caravan (all defects!), attend health & safety briefing, save manager and operator contacts.
What documents should I have in hand at passport control?
Passport + offline screenshot of eVisa profile + share code (90 days) + CoS reference from operator + exact farm address + operator contacts (London office + farm liaison).
How much cash should I bring for the first month?
£100-200 in £10/£20 notes — for food, transport and SIM until you get your first salary (1-2 weeks). Declare at border only if £10,000+. DO NOT exchange currency at the airport — markup 5-10%.
Can I bring kazy / kurut / canned meat?
Absolutely not. Any meat and dairy products from any country are banned from import to UK. Confiscation + fine up to £5,000. You can bring: biscuits, sweets, pasta, bread without filling, canned plant products.
Where to buy SIM at London airport?
WHSmith and Boots in arrival area of Heathrow / Gatwick / Stansted / Luton. Lebara or Lyca £10 — better for calls to Central Asia. EE £15-20 — best coverage in remote rural areas. Passport for buying SIM is not needed.
What if the manager promises to give the contract "in a week"?
This is a violation of the Fair Work Agency / GLAA licence. The contract must be given before work starts. Demand it. If ignored — call GLAA 0800 432 0804.
Shower in caravan does not work, heater is broken. What to do?
On the first day photograph defects with timestamp. Send to manager and operator coordinator by email with description. Accommodation for seasonal workers must meet sanitary standards. Do not wait for "it will fix itself" — otherwise at end of season repair cost will be deducted from your salary.
Foreman asks to give passport "for the safe". Should I give it?
Never. Holding passport is a marker of modern slavery. Passport ALWAYS with you. If they insist — call GLAA 0800 432 0804 (anonymous) or 999.
What is the minimum pay in 2026?
National Living Wage from 1 April 2026 for 21+ = £12.71/hour. For 18-20: £10.85. For 16-17: £8.00. This is the absolute minimum, below is illegal.
How does piece rate work?
Payment by weight or number of boxes. At peak season experienced pickers — £15-20/hour. Beginners — £8-10/hour while body adapts. The law guarantees: even if you pick slowly, average pay per hour cannot be below £12.71. The farm must pay the difference.
What is the maximum deduction for caravan?
Accommodation Offset 2026 = £77.70/week (£11.10/day). More is illegal. This is NMW Amendment Regulations 2026.
How to open a bank account without UK address?
Neobanks: Revolut / Monzo / Starling. Download app, registration 5-15 minutes. You need: UK mobile (new SIM), passport, selfie video, eVisa share code. Camp address on farm is a valid address.
What guaranteed hours should I get?
Under the operator's Fair Work Agency licence — usually at least 32 hours/week. If systematically less without objective reasons (weather) — this is a violation, you can request transfer to another farm.
What is the visa fee?
From 8 April 2026 — £340. Before 8 April it was £319. Operator does NOT charge for placement. Any amount above £340 paid to an agent = scam, leading to debt bondage.
Do I need to pay taxes in UK on farm salary?
Yes. Income Tax 20% on amount above £12,570/year (on correct tax code 1257L). NIC 8% on income above £242/week. Deductions are automatic through PAYE.
How to get tax refund after the season?
After leaving job you get P45. You left UK and do not plan to work in current tax year → form P85 on gov.uk. Refund by paper cheque to UK address or nominee. Time 6-12 weeks. /p85 — full guide.
How long to wait for NI Number?
SLA gov.uk = 4 weeks after verification. In peak (April-August) — 8-14 weeks. Helpline 0800 141 2079 if 8 weeks pass without letter (need Application Reference Number).
What does Tax Code BR mean on payslip?
Basic Rate without personal allowance. 20% on all salary. Applied without NI Number or P45. On £500/week = overpayment £48.35/week = £1,257 for 26-week season. Fixed by giving NI Number to farm payroll.
If I get sick, do I have to pay for a doctor?
Seasonal workers with visa ≤6 months are exempt from IHS. NHS A&E (emergency) and GP primary appointment — free. Register as temporary patient. Non-emergency — call 111 (24/7, free, interpreters).
Do I need to pay Council Tax?
No, if you live in operator-provided caravan/hostel on farm (this is agricultural exemption on operator side). If you rent private accommodation outside farm — must register with local council within 21 days.
Where to contact if my rights are violated?
GLAA / Fair Work Agency: 0800 432 0804 (anonymous, 24/7). ACAS: 0300 123 1100 (employment rights). Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 012 1700. All communication with employer should be by email.
Can the foreman cancel my visa and deport me?
No. These powers belong only to Home Office. If they threaten you — call GLAA 0800 432 0804. For employment rights advice — ACAS 0300 123 1100.
Can I invite my family to the farm?
No. Seasonal Worker visa does not allow dependants (spouse, children). Attempt to bypass — visa cancellation and deportation.
Can I change farm if I am treated badly?
You have the right to transfer — you are tied to sponsor (operator), not to farm. Request transfer to operator coordinator. It does not happen instantly, but operator must consider it.
What to pack in suitcase before flight?
£100-200 cash + warm and waterproof work clothes + strong rubber boots (farm may not have your size) + first aid kit with familiar medicines (in UK many tablets are prescription only) + UK plug adapter (type G) + powerbank (in case of electricity problems in caravan) + sim-tray pin for changing SIM.