Central Asians Receive Nearly 80% of UK Seasonal Worker Visas
Workers from Central Asia accounted for 78.5% of all UK Seasonal Worker visas issued in 2025, highlighting the region’s growing role in supporting Britain’s agricultural sector.
According to UK government data, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan supplied the majority of temporary farm workers, replacing Ukraine as the leading source of seasonal labour following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The shift has also been influenced by tighter migration rules in Russia, prompting more Central Asians to seek employment opportunities elsewhere.
Despite the growing demand, the Seasonal Worker visa remains limited to six months and does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or allow workers to bring dependants. At the same time, labour rights organisations have warned that many migrants remain vulnerable to recruitment scams and workplace exploitation, calling for stronger protections and better oversight of recruitment practices.
