Poultry businesses can continue to recruit overseas workers through the Seasonal Worker route for seasonal poultry work. Poultry workers can work in the UK between 2 October and 31 December each year. Applications for poultry worker visas must be submitted by 15 November.

Key points

• Poultry workers can enter the UK under the Seasonal Worker route for the Christmas production period

• The 2026 allocation includes 1,900 poultry visas

• Employers can recruit through an approved scheme operator and must continue to comply with National Minimum Wage and Working Time requirements

What this means for employers

Businesses relying on seasonal labour should plan early and ensure their recruitment arrangements are in place well before peak demand. They should work with an approved scheme operator and allow sufficient time for Certificates of Sponsorship to be issued and visa applications to be processed.

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