Hiring and Sponsoring Farmers (SOC Code 5111)

Farmers, classified under SOC Code 5111, are vital contributors to the agricultural sector, tasked with a range of responsibilities that ensure the health and productivity of livestock and crops. Their role encompasses various activities, including:

• Livestock Management:
• • Feeds and waters animals.
  • Monitors livestock health and welfare.
  • Treats minor ailments and arranges for veterinary care when necessary.
• Crop Production:
• • Plants, propagates, sprays, fertilizes, and harvests field crops.
  • Operates and maintains farm machinery such as combine harvesters, straw balers, milking machines, and tractors.
• Farm Maintenance:
• • Undertakes maintenance tasks such as fencing, hedging, and building upkeep.
• Sales and Record Keeping:
• • Arranges for the sale of crops, livestock, and other farm produce.
  • Maintains comprehensive records of production, finance, and breeding.
• Environmental Practices:
• • Ensures good environmental practices are observed in all farming activities.

With the growing demand for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, farmers play an essential role in food production and environmental stewardship. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring farmers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Farmers?

SOC Code 5111 refers to farmers who are responsible for the cultivation of crops and the management of livestock. Their responsibilities can include:

• Animal care: Feeding and watering animals, ensuring their health and welfare, treating minor ailments, and calling a vet if necessary.
• Crop management: Planting, propagating, spraying, fertilizing, and harvesting field crops.
• Farm maintenance: Undertaking various maintenance tasks such as fencing, hedging, cleaning, and building maintenance.
• Machinery operation: Operating and maintaining farm machinery, including combine harvesters, straw balers, milking machines, and tractors.
• Sales management: Arranging for the sale of crops, livestock, and other farm produce.
• Record keeping: Maintaining accurate records of production, finance, and breeding.
• Environmental stewardship: Ensuring good environmental practices are observed in all tasks.

Farmers play a vital role in agriculture, contributing to food security, sustainable practices, and the overall economy.

Eligibility to Hire Farmers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Farmers must demonstrate a diverse skill set and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Animal Husbandry Skills: Experience in feeding, watering, and caring for animals, including knowledge of livestock health and welfare practices.
• Crop Management: Proficiency in planting, propagating, spraying, fertilizing, and harvesting field crops, with a focus on sustainable techniques.
• Maintenance Expertise: Ability to undertake various farm maintenance tasks, such as fencing, hedging, cleaning, and building upkeep, to ensure the farm operates efficiently.
• Machinery Operation: Experience in operating and maintaining farm machinery, including but not limited to combine harvesters, straw balers, milking machines, and tractors.
• Sales and Marketing Skills: Knowledge of arranging for the sale of crops, livestock, and other farm produce, including understanding market trends and pricing.
• Record Keeping: Capability to maintain accurate records of production, financials, and breeding practices to monitor farm performance.
• Environmental Awareness: Commitment to observing and implementing good environmental practices in all farming tasks, promoting sustainability.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 5111 and that the farmer's experience and work meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Farmers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Farmers under SOC Code 5111.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Farmers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Farmers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Farmers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Farmers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Farmers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Farmers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Farmers

Before the Farmers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Farmers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Farmers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Farmers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Farmers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Farmerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Farmers

Sponsoring Farmers under SOC Code 5111 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Farmers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Farmers under SOC Code 5111 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.