HOPS Labour Solutions — reviews, conditions, salary 2026
Updated: 21 August 2026
HOPS Labour Solutions is one of the biggest and oldest operators of the Seasonal Worker scheme in the UK. The brand has existed since 1989. Every year it places about 12,000 workers on farms across the country. It recruits from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, but the 2026 intake is already closed — the next registration window will be for the 2027 season. HOPS has no permanent portal: registration opens for a few days at a time on the recruitment-instructions page (Russian and English). Basic rate — £12.71/hour (NMW 2026). Applying through the operator is free. You only pay for the visa (£340).
Recruitment status (checked 21 August 2026): HOPS has no open recruitment for the 2027 season. For Kyrgyz citizens, online registration was open from 12:00 on 17 August to 23:59 on 20 August, Bishkek time, and has closed — you cannot apply retroactively. Those who managed to register are waiting for an email with a link to an online test; the operator writes only to selected candidates, check your Spam folder. Uzbekistan — closed ("we have completed our last recruitment"); Kazakhstan and Tajikistan — returning workers only, by farm invitation. Full guide: seasonal work.
About the operatorHistory, registration, licencesince 1989
HOPS Labour Solutions Limited (Companies House 07124036) is a licensed operator of the Seasonal Worker scheme. The current legal entity was registered on 13 January 2010, but the HOPS brand was created in 1989 by the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs. This makes HOPS one of the oldest players in the seasonal labour market in the UK.
The registered office is at: Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7US. The parent company is Hops Group Limited, which owns 75% or more of the shares.
According to Companies House, the current directors of the company are: Jonathan Paul Burgess (appointed 20 September 2023), James Peter Leslie Davies (appointed 28 January 2021) and Steven Prance Janes (appointed 28 January 2021).
The company has an active GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority) licence. We could not confirm the specific licence number through the public GLAA register — the search returned no result. This does not mean the licence is missing: HOPS is included in the official list of operators from the Home Office and DEFRA for 2026.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal name | HOPS Labour Solutions Limited |
| Companies House | 07124036 |
| Registration date (Ltd) | 13 January 2010 |
| Brand founded | 1989 (NFYFC) |
| Parent company | Hops Group Limited (75%+) |
| GLAA licence | Active (number not confirmed through public register) |
| Company status | Active |
Who it suitsRecruitment countries, requirements, limitsUzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan
HOPS recruits from a closed list of countries: the EU, Kazakhstan (returnees), Kenya (through partner colleges), Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, North Macedonia, Tajikistan (returnees), Ukraine and Uzbekistan. About everyone else the operator is blunt: "we do not recruit from other countries". The requirements are simple: 18+, knowledge of Russian (checked by an online test during selection) and readiness for physical work. The operator also says it welcomes applications from women.
Farm work is physical labour outdoors. You will stand, bend, lift boxes and work in any weather: heat, rain, cold. The working day usually starts early in the morning. Being ready for heavy physical work is a must.
| Category | Suitable? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens of Uzbekistan | Yes | On the HOPS country list; the 2026 intake is closed — wait for the 2027 window |
| Citizens of Kyrgyzstan | Yes | On the HOPS country list; the 2026 intake is closed — wait for the 2027 window |
| Citizens of Kazakhstan | Limited | Returning workers only, by invitation from the farm |
| Citizens of Tajikistan | Limited | Returning workers only, by invitation from the farm |
| Citizens of Russia | No | Russia is not on the HOPS country list: "we do not recruit from other countries" |
| Women | Yes | The operator explicitly welcomes applications from women |
| Age 18–20 | Yes | The lower age limit is 18 |
| No Russian language | No | Selection runs through an online Russian language test |
| No farm experience | Yes | Training on site |
| Medical conditions (back, joints) | Talk to your doctor | Work requires bending and lifting. Talk to your GP before applying |
| Pregnancy | Talk to your doctor | Physical work may not be safe |
In January 2025, kun.uz reported technical problems and possible third‑party interference that temporarily stopped recruitment of Uzbek workers through the HOPS programme. If you are from Uzbekistan, check the current recruitment status on the operator's official website before applying.
Farms and cropsWhat you pick, where you work, season
HOPS places workers on farms across the whole UK. The main work covers four categories of crops. You will find out the specific farm and crop type after your interview and after you receive a job offer. You do not choose the farm yourself — the operator assigns workers based on farm needs and your profile.
| Crop | Season | What you do | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries) | May – September | Hand picking, sorting, packing | Kent, Herefordshire, Scotland |
| Vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, asparagus, onion) | April – October | Planting, weeding, harvesting | Lincolnshire, East Anglia |
| Hops | August – September | Picking, trimming | Herefordshire, Worcestershire |
| Ornamental plants | All year | Care, repotting, packing | Various regions |
Most farms are in rural areas, far from big cities. Public transport may be limited or not available. Some farms organise transport to the nearest town once a week. Keep this in mind when planning — the nearest supermarket may be 5–10 miles from the farm.
You can move to another farm, but only through the operator, not by yourself. If your farm has few hours or bad conditions, contact the HOPS coordinator and ask for a transfer. The operator must consider your request.
How to applyStep‑by‑step from registration to visaFree
HOPS has no permanent portal: when a recruitment window opens, registration runs on the page hopslaboursolutions.com/recruitment-instructions (the page is bilingual, Russian and English). The link is also published by government partners: migrant.kg for Kyrgyzstan and the Migration Agency for Uzbekistan. All the selection is done by HOPS itself.
- Wait for a registration window — the windows are short (at the last intake: Uzbekistan — 7 days, Kyrgyzstan — 4 days). Watch recruitment-instructions and the government channels.
- Prepare a Gmail address with your first name and surname exactly as in your passport — this is a hard HOPS requirement: forms sent from other email providers, or from a made-up address, are rejected. You also need a valid international passport of the country the window is open for.
- Register during the window — registration confirms your interest, but does not guarantee you go any further.
- Take the online Russian language test — HOPS selects candidates on their knowledge of Russian; the invitation comes by email (check your spam folder). No email after the test means you did not pass.
- Attend a face-to-face interview — HOPS representatives travel to your country; interviews are recorded on camera.
- Get a profile in The Gateway — the HOPS placement platform (tkl.software/the-gateway), free for workers; your farm details and documents, including the CoS, appear there.
- Visa, biometrics, ticket — the visa is £340 on gov.uk; biometrics at a VFS visa centre cost up to about £80 depending on the country; buy your ticket after the visa is approved (HOPS guidance: a return flight from Central Asia should not cost more than £800). Take £150–200 with you for the first weeks before your first pay.
Returning workers do not go through the windows: the farm invites you through HOPS, and the invitation and details arrive in The Gateway. Former HOPS workers do not need the general registration — write to Worker Support ([email protected]).
If someone asks you for money for a place on a farm — this is a scam. The operator does not charge for finding a job. The only legal costs are: visa £340 + flight ticket. Do not send money to "agents" or "middlemen". Report anyone demanding money to the operator itself: [email protected].
What workers sayReviews, common themes, problems
The themes below are based on public posts in r/uk, r/AskUK and the Telegram channel @uksezon from 2023–2026. These are representative opinions, not individual quotes with attribution.
HOPS does not have a Trustpilot page (checked in April 2026 — the page returns a 404 error). This means there are almost no independent verified reviews on major platforms. Below is a summary of the themes that appear most often in public sources.
Positive themes
Workers from Central Asia note that HOPS is one of the few operators that specifically works with their region. The portal is in Russian, the application process is clear. Many return for a second and third season, which shows a satisfactory experience. There is a wide choice of farms and crops. Salary is paid on time and reliably.
Negative themes
The main complaints are not about the operator itself, but about conditions on specific farms: not enough working hours at the start and end of the season (when the crop is not yet ripe or has already been picked), strict piece‑rate targets, and the quality of housing on some farms. Some workers report difficulties in moving to another farm when problems arise — the operator does not always respond quickly.
In January 2025, kun.uz reported technical problems in the recruitment system from Uzbekistan and possible third‑party interference. This caused delays for Uzbek candidates at the start of the 2025 season.
Overall picture
HOPS is a large operator with a long history. As with any large intermediary, the experience depends a lot on the specific farm. The operator does not directly control the weather, the harvest or the farm management. If problems arise — first step: contact the HOPS coordinator on the farm. If that does not help — GLAA hotline: 0800 432 0804.
How much you earnSalary, costs, net earnings for 6 months£12.71/hour
The scheme rate in 2026 is the same for every age — £12.71 per hour (a sponsor guidance requirement, higher than the ordinary NMW for 18–20 year olds). Some farms pay more than the minimum for piece work, but the guaranteed minimum is always £12.71. If your average earnings from piece work are below £12.71/hour — this is against the law.
| Parameter | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme rate (all ages) | £12.71/hour | NMW 2026, guaranteed minimum |
| Working hours | 30–48 hours/week | Depends on season and harvest |
| Guaranteed minimum | 32 hours/week paid | Scheme commitment: you are paid even if there is less work |
| Gross salary (6 months) | £8,300–13,200 | At 30–48 h/week × 26 weeks |
| Tax + NI | ~£1,200–2,800 | Depends on earnings; part refunded through P85 |
| Housing | up to £77.70/week (statutory maximum) | Accommodation offset; deducted from salary |
| Visa | £340 | One‑time payment |
| Flight ticket | £300–600 | Tashkent–London, depends on season |
| Net earnings (6 months) | £4,800–9,500 | After all costs |
Salary is paid weekly or every two weeks into a UK bank account. You will need a UK bank account — the easiest way is to open Revolut (5 minutes, only passport needed) or Wise. For sending money home, Wise usually gives a better rate than Western Union.
After the season ends and you return home, you can claim back overpaid taxes through gov.uk. Typical refund: £1,000–2,500. It is free — do not pay middlemen who take 28–36% of the refund amount.
Housing and living conditionsWhere you live, how much it costs, what is included
Housing is arranged by the operator or the farm. Usually it is caravans (mobile homes), dormitories or converted farm buildings on the farm or nearby. The cost is deducted from your salary — up to £77.70 per week: that is the statutory maximum (accommodation offset), nobody may deduct more, and some farms charge less.
What is usually included:
- Bed with bed linen
- Shared kitchen with stove and fridge
- Shared showers and toilets
- Wi‑Fi (not on all farms — check in advance)
What is usually not included:
- Private room (usually 2–6 people per room)
- Washing machine (not available everywhere)
- Transport to town (some farms organise it once a week)
Housing quality varies a lot from farm to farm. If conditions do not meet standards (no hot water, broken heating, unsanitary conditions) — this is a violation. Tell the HOPS coordinator, and if that does not help — call the GLAA hotline: 0800 432 0804.
Your passport must stay with you. If the farm or anyone takes your passport — this is a criminal offence (Modern Slavery Act 2015). Call: Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700 (free, 24/7) or police 999.
Worker rights and what to do if problemsMinimum wage, passport, complaints, GLAAKnow your rights
As a Seasonal Worker in the UK you have the same employment rights as British citizens. This is not a privilege — it is the law.
- Minimum wage: £12.71/hour for all ages (scheme rate). If they pay less — this is a violation. Piece rate cannot be lower than £12.71/hour when converted.
- Working hours: maximum 48 hours per week (Working Time Regulations 1998). You can sign an opt‑out, but this is voluntary — nobody can force you.
- Holiday: 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year (pro rata). Usually paid at the end of the contract as holiday pay.
- Payslip: you have the right to a payslip every week/month. Check the deductions — if something is unclear, ask.
- Passport: nobody has the right to take your passport. This is a criminal offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
- Transfer to another farm: if conditions are unbearable, you can ask the operator for a transfer. The operator must consider your request within a reasonable time.
- Dismissal: you cannot be dismissed for complaining about working conditions. This is protected by the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Where to go if problems
| Problem | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Underpayment, illegal deductions, operator violations | GLAA: 0800 432 0804 (free from UK) |
| Passport taken, forced labour | Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or police 999 |
| Unsafe working conditions | HSE (Health and Safety Executive): hse.gov.uk |
| Discrimination, harassment | ACAS: 0300 123 1100 |
| General rights questions | Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk |
The right to work in the UK is confirmed through the eVisa system — a share code on gov.uk. BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) cards were abolished at the end of 2024 and are no longer a valid document.
Operator contactsWebsite, office, how to get in touch
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Website | hopslaboursolutions.com |
| General enquiries | [email protected] |
| Complaints (including demands for money) | [email protected] |
| Worker support | [email protected] |
| Phone | +44 2476 698 000 |
| Worker platform | The Gateway (tkl.software) |
| Registered office | Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7US |
| Companies House | 07124036 |
| Portal language | English, Russian |
To apply, use the operator's official website. Do not apply through middlemen or "agents" in your country — this is either a scam or an unnecessary extra cost. If someone offers you a "guaranteed place" for money — this is 100% a scam.
HOPS vs other operatorsQuick comparison to help you choose
| Operator | Recruits from Central Asia | Sector | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOPS | Yes | Horticulture | Biggest, portal in Russian |
| Pro-Force | Yes | Horticulture | Channel via the UZ/KG state migration services |
| Concordia | Partly | Horticulture | Charity organisation since 1943 |
| Fruitful Jobs | No | Horticulture | Just Good Work app |
| AGRI-HR | Yes | Horticulture | Operator since 2023, recruits from Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan |
| RE Recruitment | No | Poultry only | Poultry only, October–December |
If you are from Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan and want to work on berries/vegetables — HOPS and Pro-Force are your main options. HOPS is bigger, and you register on its own Russian-language website. With Pro-Force you apply through the state migration services of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. AGRI-HR also recruits from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, but is smaller. Apply to several operators — it is free and increases your chances of getting a place.
Season 2027 — what we know17–20 Aug window closed
HOPS opened applications on 17–20 August 2026 for Kyrgyz citizens only and closed them on 20 August at 23:59 Bishkek time. There are no open applications at HOPS right now. The UK government has not announced the quota for 2027, but the scheme itself has been extended to 2029. In past years operators opened applications in autumn or winter, and returning workers got their invitations before new candidates.
What you can do right now: check how long your passport is valid, start saving money for the visa and the flight, get your documents ready, and watch the operator's official website. Any "paid registration for 2027" is a scam — operators do not sell places.
Full guide — timeline, how to prepare, scam warnings: Full seasonal-work guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to apply through HOPS?
Applying through the operator is free. Your only costs are: visa £340 + flight ticket (£300–600 from Tashkent). IHS (health surcharge) is not charged for visas up to 6 months.
Does HOPS recruit from Uzbekistan in 2026?
The 2026 intake from Uzbekistan is finished — the operator said it had "completed the last recruitment". Uzbekistan stays on the HOPS country list: watch recruitment-instructions for the next window and our seasonal work guide.
What is the minimum salary on the farm in 2026?
£12.71 per hour for every age — the scheme rate is flat (a sponsor guidance requirement).
How much can I actually earn in 6 months?
Net earnings after all costs (housing, tax, visa, flight): £4,800–9,500 for 6 months. It depends on the number of working hours and the specific farm.
Do I need a BRP to work in the UK?
No. BRP cards were abolished at the end of 2024. The right to work is confirmed through an eVisa share code on gov.uk.
Can I move to another farm?
Yes, but only through the operator. You cannot change farms by yourself — this would break the visa conditions.
What if someone takes my passport on the farm?
This is a criminal offence (Modern Slavery Act 2015). Call: Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700 (free, 24/7) or police 999.
Does HOPS have reviews on Trustpilot?
As of April 2026, the HOPS page on Trustpilot does not exist (404 error). There are no independent verified reviews on major platforms.
Where do I complain about violations?
GLAA hotline: 0800 432 0804 (free from UK). Also: ACAS 0300 123 1100, Citizens Advice citizensadvice.org.uk.
Can I stay in the UK after the season?
No. The Seasonal Worker visa does not give you the right to stay permanently. You must leave before the visa expires. Overstay = ban on future visas.
When do applications for the 2027 season open?
Not open now: HOPS had a window on 17–20 August 2026 for Kyrgyz citizens only, which closed on 20 August at 23:59 Bishkek time. The 2027 quota has not been announced and the scheme runs until 2029. Operators usually open applications in autumn or winter, and returning workers are invited first. See our seasonal work guide — we update operator pages as soon as official 2027 information appears.