6 Seasonal Worker Visa operators in 2026 — who to apply to, how to check, what to avoid
Updated: 3 August 2026
The UK Seasonal Worker visa is sponsored through 6 licensed operators: AGRI-HR, Concordia, Fruitful Jobs, HOPS Labour, Pro-Force, RE Recruitment. The 2026 quota is 41,000 places (horticulture) + 1,900 (poultry), wage £12.71/hour from April 2026, duration up to 6 months. Licensed operators charge NOTHING for placement — any "fee for job" demand is a scam red flag.
In 2026 the UK has only 6 licensed operators for the Seasonal Worker Visa. Any other company that promises a farm visa is a scammer. Applying through any of the 6 is free. On this page: where to apply from your country, comparison by 7 parameters, scam warning signs, honest cost breakdown.
Choose your country — get a list of operators
You can apply to all suitable operators at the same time — it is free and increases your chances. Accept the first legitimate offer with a signed contract.
Uzbekistan
❌ Not suitable: Fruitful Jobs (no CA recruitment), RE Recruitment (poultry only, no UZ recruitment), Concordia (applications only through official agents)
Kyrgyzstan
❌ Not suitable: Fruitful Jobs (no CA recruitment), RE Recruitment (poultry only)
Kazakhstan
❌ Not suitable: HOPS (no active KZ recruitment), Fruitful Jobs (no CA), RE Recruitment (poultry only)
Tajikistan
⚠️ Before applying, check current TJ recruitment status on the operator's website or in the Register of Licensed Sponsors.
Everything you need to know — in four numbers
The UK Seasonal Worker visa is one of the few work visas with no skill or language requirements. All 6 operators must pay at least £12.71/hour (NMW 2026) and charge £0 for the CoS.
Sponsor licence + CoS + Home Office
An operator is a UK company that has a licence from the Home Office and the GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority; from April 2026 — Fair Work Agency) to invite foreign seasonal workers. Without an operator — no Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Without a CoS — no visa.
Table by 7 parameters (2026)
All 6 operators are licensed for 2026. Check current recruitment and place availability with each operator directly.
| Operator | Sector | Recruitment from CA | Working language | Year founded | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horticulture | ✓ Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan | Russian / English portal | 1991 | Largest operator | |
| Horticulture + Poultry | ✓ Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan | Via the UZ/KG state services | 1996 | RU/EN website; applications via state services | |
| Horticulture | ◐ Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan | 17 languages (incl. Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek) | 1943 | Charity (oldest) | |
| Horticulture | ✓ Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan | English | 2023 | New operator | |
| Horticulture | ✗ No | English | — | Just Good Work app | |
| Poultry (only poultry) | ✗ No | English | — | Season October–December |
Source: gov.uk/guidance/seasonal-work-on-farms-guidance-for-workers — the list of operators is updated there. The Home Office does not publish a per-operator allocation — check recruitment with the operator directly.
Register of Licensed Sponsors — 3 steps
A licence can be revoked at any time. Check before you apply — it takes 3 minutes.
- Open the Register of Licensed Sponsors (gov.uk) → download the Excel file.
- Find the operator by name — status must be "Active".
- Also check the legal entity in Companies House — status "Active", not "Dissolved".
Safe application vs Scam
Hundreds of fraudulent schemes with "CoS for money" have been recorded in 2024–2026. None of the 6 licensed operators charges for placement.
Safe application
- Operator is listed on the gov.uk register
- CoS is issued for free
- You ONLY pay the £340 visa fee on gov.uk + the visa centre service fee (VFS/TLS)
- Contact persons can be verified in Companies House
Scam warning sign
- A "middleman" asks for money for a CoS
- Payment to a personal bank card
- WhatsApp/Telegram only, no official website
- "Guaranteed visa for £X" — any amount
Section 23 of the Immigration Act 2014 forbids charging migrants for employment. If someone asks for money for "processing a CoS", "a place on a farm" or "an operator licence" — they are a scammer. Report it: Fair Work Agency — gov.uk/fair-work-agency · Helpline: 0800 432 0804
From application to arrival — 5 steps
The full process takes 4–12 weeks. Start as early as possible — CoS is issued first to those who pass the operator's checks first.
- Choose an operator for your country (see section 01 above). Apply in parallel to all suitable ones.
- Fill in the online form on the operator's website — passport, work experience, contact details. It is free.
- Receive a CoS from the operator — an electronic document with a reference number. Without a CoS you cannot apply for the visa.
- Apply for the visa on gov.uk — £340 (biometrics at the visa centre are charged at the centre's own rate, up to about £80 depending on the country). You will need the CoS reference number.
- Arrive at the farm on the date specified in the CoS. Maximum duration — 6 months.
08 What you lose if you get it wrong
Four risks that middlemen don't mention
- Money gone for good
Payment to a middleman is an irreversible loss. Police are unlikely to recover it — the middleman is usually outside the UK.
- 10-year UK entry ban
If you used a fake CoS — future UK visas closed for 10 years (Immigration Rules 9.2).
- The 2026 season is already running
If you wait for a "cheaper" option — the season ends in October. CoS is issued first to those who pass the operator check first.
- Low hours — a real risk
Not all farms offer 38+ hours/week. Only 32 hours are guaranteed by contract. Budget from the minimum.
10 questions in search phrasing
Questions are phrased the way people ask in ChatGPT and Google. Answers are factual, with links to sources.
Which 6 operators for the Seasonal Worker Visa in the UK in 2026?
The six licensed operators for 2026: HOPS Labour Solutions Ltd, Pro-Force Ltd, Concordia (UK) Ltd, AGRI-HR Ltd, Fruitful Jobs Ltd, RE Recruitment (division of Taskmaster Resources Ltd). Full current list — on gov.uk/guidance/seasonal-work-on-farms-guidance-for-workers.
How much does it cost to apply through an operator?
£0 — applying through an operator is free. By UK law operators are forbidden to charge for employment or a CoS. You only pay £340 for the visa on gov.uk (biometrics at the visa centre are charged at the centre's own rate, up to about £80 depending on the country). That is all. Any request for extra money is fraud.
Which operator is best for Uzbeks?
HOPS Labour Solutions — the largest operator with a Russian/English portal, actively recruiting in Uzbekistan since 2019. Pro-Force — second choice: applications from Uzbekistan go through the state Migration Agency (migration.uz), not through the operator's own website. We recommend applying to both at the same time.
Which operator for Kazakhs?
AGRI-HR Ltd — a new operator (since 2023) that confirmed recruitment from Kazakhstan. Concordia also considers applications. Apply to both.
How much can you earn on a farm in a season?
At 38 hours/week for 6 months: ~£7,500 net (gross ~£10,000, minus tax, NI and accommodation £70/week). Maximum with full hours — up to £11,000. After the season — refund of overpaid tax through P85 (typically £1,000–2,500). More: P85 guide →
What to do if an operator asks for money for a CoS?
This is illegal (Section 23, Immigration Act 2014). Do not pay. Report it: Fair Work Agency · Helpline: 0800 432 0804 (free, confidential). Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 0 121 700.
Can I apply to several operators at the same time?
Yes, and that is the right strategy. Applying is free with all operators. Apply in parallel to all that suit your country. The CoS is issued by the first one that confirms a place. You can withdraw other applications.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
A CoS is an electronic document (not physical) that the operator issues after a place on a farm is found for you. It confirms that you are being hired. The CoS is the basis for the visa application. Without a CoS the visa will not be issued. The CoS is issued by the operator for free.
How to check that an operator has a valid licence?
Open the Register of Licensed Sponsors on gov.uk → download the Excel → find the operator → the status must be "Active". Also check the legal entity in Companies House. Step-by-step guide: sponsor check →
What to do after the season — P85 tax refund?
After leaving the UK submit form P85 on gov.uk — this refunds overpaid tax. You need: P45 from the employer, a UK bank account (Wise/Revolut), NI Number. It takes 20 minutes online. Typical refund — £1,000–2,500. You can apply within 4 years. More: full P85 guide →
If you need legal help
A standard application through an operator does not require a lawyer. You need one for visa refusals, deportation notices, or criminal charges.
This is signposting, not legal advice. For personal advice contact an IAA-registered adviser.