The government published its response on 29 January 2026 to the Migration Advisory Committee's review of the Seasonal Worker route, affecting scheme operators, farms and workers, including an intended cooling-off cut from 6 to 4 months.
On 23 March 2023, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) launched a self-commissioned review of the Seasonal Worker route. The government's response, "The government's response to the MAC's Seasonal Worker review", covers the five themes in the MAC's report, "Review of the Seasonal Worker visa".
Certainty over the route. The government accepted that the agri-food sector needs greater certainty. On 25 February 2025 it announced a 5-year continuation of the route. The MAC asked for 5 years' notice of any closure. The government did not accept this in full and will give 2 years' notice of any planned closure. It reserves the right to close the route with immediate effect in extreme circumstances, including threats to immigration control or national security.
Flexibility. The MAC recommended cutting the cooling-off period from 6 months to 3 months. The Home Office partially agreed and intends to reduce it from 6 months to 4 months. It did not accept that workers should be able to work any 6-month period in a calendar year, citing work availability that peaks in the middle 6 months of the year and the burden of counting each worker's days in the UK.
Pay and conditions. The government did not adopt the recommended guarantee of at least 2 months' pay to cover the costs of coming to the UK. It considers the Employer Pays Principle (EPP) a stronger and more practicable solution. HMRC reviewed and improved its P85 process for tax refunds in 2024. The government rejected excluding seasonal workers from pension auto-enrolment.
Employee rights. The government accepted the principle of strengthening rights. It points to the Fair Work Agency being established, and says UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has started bi-monthly meetings with all Seasonal Worker sponsors to monitor compliance.
Employer Pays Principle. The government accepted that industry should consider EPP and how costs could be shared along the supply chain. It notes that EPP could add significant costs and may affect food prices. The Seasonal Worker Taskforce has concluded a feasibility study, and 2 scheme operators ran a small-scale pilot. Industry is considering the findings.
What this means for applicants
The response says the Home Office intends to reduce the cooling-off period from 6 months to 4 months. It gives no date for this change. The response also states that the government will give the farming sector 2 years' notice of any planned closure of the route.
Related guide
Sources
- The government's response to the MAC's Seasonal Worker review, GOV.UK, 29 January 2026