Friday, January 23, 2026

WORK IN SCOTLAND

: the Seasonal Worker Visa and the Health and Care Worker Visa.

The Seasonal Worker Visa Pathway (2026)

This is the most common route for roles traditionally viewed as unskilled, such as fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, and poultry processing. Under this scheme, you do not apply to the company directly for the visa; instead, you apply through an Approved Scheme Operator. These operators are the official "sponsors" who hold the license and place you on farms across Scotland.

Approved Scheme Operators for 2026:

  • Concordia: One of the largest non-profit operators placing workers in Scottish fruit and vegetable farms.

  • Pro-Force: A major recruiter for the Scottish agricultural sector, including the soft fruit farms in Tayside.

  • Fruitful Jobs: Specializes in horticulture and provides labor to many estates in the Scottish Borders and Aberdeenshire.

  • HOPS Labour Solutions: Frequently recruits for seasonal harvest roles in the Highlands and Central Scotland.

  • AG Recruitment: Highly active in the international recruitment of seasonal staff for Scottish farming.

Key Rules for Seasonal Workers:

  1. Duration: You can stay for up to 6 months in any 12-month period for horticulture, or between October and December for poultry.

  2. Dependents: You cannot bring family members on this visa.

  3. Wages: You must be paid at least £11.44 per hour (or the current 2026 minimum wage) and receive at least 32 hours of work per week.

Companies in Scotland Often Hiring for Low-Entry Roles

While these companies are large-scale employers, remember that for "unskilled" agricultural work, they typically use the operators listed above.

  • Angus Soft Fruits (Arbroath): One of Scotland's largest berry producers. They rely heavily on seasonal workers for their massive strawberry and raspberry harvests.

  • Duncan Farms (Aberdeenshire): A major poultry and egg producer that frequently requires seasonal poultry catchers and processors.

  • East Lothian Eggs: Active in the poultry sector and occasionally sponsors through the poultry seasonal scheme.

  • Hall Hunter: Although based in the South, they have partnerships and supply chains linked to Scottish estates.

The "Care Giving" Alternative (Health and Care Visa)

If your goal is a long-term move rather than a 6-month seasonal stay, the Health and Care Worker Visa is your best option. While care work is classified as "skilled" for visa purposes, it is highly accessible and does not require a specialized degree—only a relevant certificate and a job offer.

Major Sponsoring Care Companies in Scotland:

Strategic Advice for Tanzanian Applicants

  1. Check the A-Rating: Always ensure the company or operator is listed on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors. Applying to a company without a license is a waste of time and money.

  2. Timing for 2026: For seasonal fruit work (March to September), you should start applying to the Scheme Operators in January or February. For poultry work (October to December), apply in July or August.

  3. Tuberculosis (TB) Testing: As a Tanzanian applicant, you must have a clear TB test from an approved clinic (like IOM in Dar es Salaam) before applying for your visa.

Consultation via Madame Ritha Academic Services

Moving for work involves high stakes and strict documentation. Madame Ritha Academic Services specializes in helping Tanzanian workers navigate the UK and Scottish visa systems. We can help you identify legitimate seasonal operators and audit your documents to prevent visa denials.

  • Visa Consultation Fee: $200

  • WhatsApp Contact: +255718991625

  • Email: madamerithaacademic@gmail.com

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