Are you an international worker who wants to do seasonal jobs abroad in 2025? Right now, many countries need people to pick fruit and vegetables. This is because there is a big Agricultural Labor Shortage in 2025. So, there are many Seasonal Fruit Picking Jobs open for foreigners. But the rules are changing quickly – especially about visas and pay. You must know the newest information to get a good job and good money. This simple guide gives you the 2025 Latest News for the most popular countries: UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
We explain visa changes, how much money you can make, and how to stay safe from bad agencies. After reading this, you will know the best places to work on the Harvest Trail in 2025.
Geo-Targeted Visa Updates: What’s New for 2025
Every country has different rules. Where you go decides how long you can stay and what visa you need. Here are the big changes for 2025.
UK Seasonal Worker Visa 2025: Quotas and Pay
The UK Seasonal Worker Visa is still one of the best programs for fruit picking jobs.
- Total places in 2025: 45,000 visas
- For fruit and vegetables: 43,000 places This means many people can still come.
- How long you can stay: Maximum 6 months in any 12-month period You cannot stay longer than 6 months for farm work.
- New minimum pay from 1 April 2025: Workers 21 years and older must get at least £12.21 per hour. If you work more than 8 hours a day or more than 48 hours a week, you must get overtime pay.
Many workers earn more than the minimum because farms also pay piece rate (money for every kilo or box you pick).
Canada & Australia: Focus on Welfare and Experience
Canada The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) is still open in 2025. The government now cares more about worker safety and good living conditions.
New rules for 2025:
- Employers must give better houses with automatic washing machines and dryers.
- Minimum wage is going up. For example, in Ontario it will be $17.60 per hour from October 2025.
- Some workers get extra “recognition payment” money.
Australia The easiest way is still the Working Holiday Visa (417 or 462). No big visa changes in 2025. The Harvest Trail works all year, so you can move from farm to farm. Some jobs (for example grain harvest) need a heavy vehicle driver licence. Berry picking and fruit picking usually do not need special skills. Pay can be very good with piece rate.
New Zealand’s New Framework
Big changes start on 8 December 2025. New Zealand now has two new visas for seasonal workers:
- Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) – for skilled people (for example agricultural technicians).
- Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) – for normal fruit picking jobs. You can stay up to 7 months.
Important new rule: Even for simple fruit picking jobs, you must show you have at least one season of farm experience in the last three years. If you are completely new, it is now harder to get a New Zealand farm job in 2025.
Understanding Your Seasonal Fruit Picking Duties
Fruit picking is hard physical work. You work many hours in the sun or rain. The job is different for each fruit.
| Crop | Peak Months | Main Jobs | Normal Pay Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries / Raspberries (UK & Europe) | May – July | Pick berries, pack in boxes, check quality | Piece rate (per kg or punnet) |
| Apples / Pears (Canada & Australia) | August – November | Pick fruit, use ladders, sometimes cut trees | Hourly or high piece rate |
| Grapes (Australia & Europe) | January – March | Cut grape bunches, carry heavy boxes, remove leaves | Mostly hourly |
Crucial Insight: Piece Rate vs Hourly Pay
- Piece rate = You get money for how much you pick (example: £1.50 per kilo of strawberries). Fast workers can earn £18–£25 per hour or more.
- Hourly pay = You get money for every hour you work, even if you pick slowly.
Good news: In UK, Canada, and Australia, the law says your total money MUST reach at least the minimum wage. If your piece rate money is too low, the farm must pay extra to reach the minimum. So you never earn less than the legal minimum wage.
Safety and Security: Avoiding Recruitment Agency Scams
Many fake agencies try to take your money. Follow these simple rules:
- Never pay money to get a job. Real employers or real agencies get money from the farm, not from you.
- Check the official government list. For UK, only licensed operators can bring workers. For Canada, the employer must be on the approved list.
- Ask to see photos or videos of the house before you sign anything. In 2025 Canada checks houses very carefully – good employers are happy to show you.
- Never give your passport to an agency. You keep your passport.
If someone asks for money before you start work, it is almost always a scam.
Conclusion: Planning Your 2025 Harvest Adventure
2025 is still a great year for international fruit picking jobs. There are thousands of places in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The work is hard but the money can be very good, especially if you are fast and choose piece-rate jobs.
To have a safe and profitable season:
- Choose only official sponsors and licensed farms.
- Learn the new rules for the country you want (especially experience needed in New Zealand).
- Know the minimum wage and your worker rights.
- Never pay any agency fees.
If you prepare well, you can earn good money, travel the world, and have an amazing harvest adventure in 2025.
Ready to start?
- Go to the official government websites for the newest information.
- Start applying early – the best farms fill quickly!
Which fruit do you want to pick in 2025? Apples, berries, grapes, or something else? Tell us in the comments!
Disclaimer:
This article is only to give information. Rules and wages can change. Always check the official government website of the country before you apply or travel.