HOPS Labour Solutions — reviews, conditions, salary 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 actively recruits from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The portal is available in Russian. Basic rate — £12.71/hour (NMW 2026). Applying through the operator is free. You only pay for the visa (£340).
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 is one of the few operators that actively recruits workers from Central Asia. In 2026 the main recruitment countries include Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. They also recruit from Moldova, North Macedonia, Ukraine and Kenya. The candidate portal is available in English and Russian, which makes the application process easier for Russian speakers.
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 | Main recruitment country |
| Citizens of Kyrgyzstan | Yes | Main recruitment country |
| Citizens of Kazakhstan | Yes | Actively recruiting |
| Citizens of Tajikistan | Yes | Actively recruiting |
| Citizens of Russia | Check | Not listed as main country, but portal is in Russian |
| Age 18–20 | Yes | NMW lower: £10.00/hour (18–20) |
| 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
Applying through HOPS is free. The operator is not allowed to charge you for finding a job — this is the law (Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004). Your only costs are: visa (£340) and flight ticket.
- Register on the HOPS website — fill in the application form on the operator's portal. The portal is available in Russian. Enter your passport details, work experience, preferred dates. Make sure your passport is valid at least until the end of your planned contract.
- Attend an interview — usually online (video call). The questions are simple: motivation, physical readiness, available dates. The interview may be in Russian or English. Prepare a stable internet connection and a quiet place.
- Receive a job offer — if you pass the interview, the operator will find a farm and send you an offer with the conditions: crop, region, dates, rate. Read the contract carefully before signing.
- Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — this is an electronic document from the operator. Without it you cannot apply for the visa. The CoS contains information about the employer, job title and salary. You will receive the CoS number by email.
- Apply for the visa online — on gov.uk, section "Apply for a Seasonal Worker visa". Pay £340. IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) is not charged for visas up to 6 months. Fill in the form carefully — mistakes can lead to refusal.
- Give your biometrics — at a visa centre in your country (TLS Contact or VFS Global). Bring your passport, a printout of the application confirmation and the payment receipt. The decision usually comes within 3 weeks.
- Buy your flight ticket after the visa is approved — do not buy it earlier. The cost of a flight from Tashkent to London is about £300–600 depending on the season and airline. Via Istanbul is usually cheaper.
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 scammers to the GLAA hotline: 0800 432 0804 (free from the UK).
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. The large number of placements (~12,000 per year) means 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 minimum rate in 2026 for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (National Minimum Wage). For workers aged 18–20 it is £10.00/hour. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic rate (21+) | £12.71/hour | NMW 2026, guaranteed minimum |
| Working hours | 30–48 hours/week | Depends on season and harvest |
| 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 | £50–70/week | 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 — typically £50–70 per week. The maximum legal deduction for housing in 2026 is limited by the accommodation offset rules.
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 (21+). 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 |
| Registered office | Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7US |
| Companies House | 07124036 |
| Phone | Not published on the operator's website — contact through the website form |
| 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 | Size | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOPS | Yes | Horticulture | ~12,000/year | Biggest, portal in Russian |
| Pro-Force | Yes | Horticulture | ~2,500/year | Portal in Uzbek and Kyrgyz |
| Concordia | Partly | Horticulture | ~10,000/year | Charity organisation since 1943 |
| Fruitful Jobs | No | Horticulture | ~2,000/year | Just Good Work app |
| AGRI-HR | Yes | Horticulture | Medium | Operator since 2023, recruits from Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan |
| RE Recruitment | No | Poultry only | Medium | 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 has a Russian portal. Pro-Force offers a portal in Uzbek and Kyrgyz. 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.
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?
Yes, Uzbekistan is one of the main recruitment countries. In January 2025 there were temporary technical problems with recruitment, but the programme continues to work. Check the current status on the operator's website.
What is the minimum salary on the farm in 2026?
£12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over (National Minimum Wage 2026). For 18–20 year olds it is £10.00/hour.
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.