Concordia — reviews, conditions, salary 2026
Updated: 3 August 2026
The official list of recruitment countries: Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Moldova, South Africa, Romania, Tajikistan, Ukraine. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are NOT on that list. You can only apply through the official agents in your country: you cannot send an application directly on the Concordia website.
Trip budget: what to check before paying
Recruitment status (checked 3 August 2026): the channel is PERMANENTLY OPEN through the official agents, but the operator warns that there are more people who want a place than there are places — the agents do not reply to everyone. We update this block every time the official channels change; getting ready for the 2027 season is covered in our seasonal work guide.
About the operatorHistory, charity status, registrationCharity since 1943
Concordia (UK) is a registered charity (charity number 305991), founded in 1943. The legal entity at Companies House: 00381668, incorporated on 10 July 1943. It was originally created to help with agricultural labour during World War II — volunteers helped farmers harvest crops while men were at the front. This makes Concordia the oldest participant in the seasonal labour market in the UK.
Registered office: 19 North Street, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 1DH. The company has the status of a Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital (a charitable company without share capital). This means that profit is directed to its charitable objectives and not distributed to shareholders.
Concordia holds an active GLAA licence with number CONC0002. This is confirmed through the public register of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. The licence allows it to operate as a Seasonal Worker scheme operator.
Charity status means that the company's profit is directed to its charitable objectives and not distributed among shareholders. This does not guarantee better conditions for workers, but it implies a different motivation compared to commercial operators.
From volunteering to seasonal work
Concordia was originally a volunteer organisation — hence the word "Volunteers" in its name. Before the Seasonal Worker scheme, the organisation coordinated international volunteer projects on farms and in community organisations. This experience gave the organisation unique expertise in the logistics of placing foreigners on farms. On Trustpilot, some reviews refer to volunteer programmes, not to the Seasonal Worker scheme — do not confuse them.
Welfare support
Concordia declares welfare support for workers on farms. This includes coordinators who visit farms and whom workers can contact with problems. How effectively this works in practice depends on the specific farm and coordinator. Some workers report good support, others say coordinators rarely appear. If the coordinator does not help — call GLAA directly: 0800 432 0804.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal name | Concordia (UK) |
| Companies House | 00381668 |
| Incorporation date | 10 July 1943 |
| Charity Number | 305991 |
| GLAA licence | CONC0002 (active) |
| Company type | PRI/LBG/NSC (charity) |
| Registered office | 19 North Street, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1DH |
| GLAA licence | Active |
| Company status | Active |
Who it suitsRecruitment countries, languages, restrictions
The official list of recruitment countries: Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Moldova, South Africa, Romania, Tajikistan, Ukraine. The main focus is Eastern Europe: Moldova, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Romania. From Central Asia the list includes Kazakhstan and Tajikistan; Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are not on it.
The Concordia website is available in 17 languages, including Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek and Ukrainian (concordia.org.uk/seasonal-work/ru/).
| Category | Suitable? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens of Kyrgyzstan | No | Kyrgyzstan is not on Concordia's list of countries |
| Citizens of Tajikistan | Yes | On the list of recruitment countries |
| Citizens of Uzbekistan | No | Not on the list |
| Citizens of Kazakhstan | Yes | On the list; 4 official agents (Agropraktika, CSPA, IIC and others) |
| Citizens of Moldova | Yes | Main recruitment country |
| Citizens of Ukraine | Yes | Main recruitment country |
| No farm experience | Yes | Training on site |
Farms and cropsWhat they harvest, where they work
Concordia places workers on farms across the UK. The main sector is horticulture: Soft Fruit, vegetables, ornamental plants. Concordia does not work in the poultry sector.
| Crop | Season | What they do | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) | May — September | Picking, sorting, packing | Kent, Herefordshire, Scotland |
| Vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, asparagus) | April — October | Planting, weeding, harvesting | Lincolnshire, East Anglia |
| Ornamental plants | Year-round | Care, repotting, packing | Various regions |
You will be told the specific farm and crop after the interview. Moving to another farm is only possible through the operator. Farms are located in rural areas — public transport is limited.
Concordia works with large farming businesses across the UK. Concordia has access to a wide range of farms and crops. This increases your chances of getting a place, but also means that the quality of conditions varies greatly from farm to farm. Before signing a contract, check: farm name, region, crop, type of accommodation, accommodation cost, and guaranteed hours.
How to applyStep-by-step processFree
The application and CoS are free for the employee. The visa fee is £340. Calculate separately for travel, accommodation, food, and a financial buffer until your first paycheck. Check with the visa center in your country for any additional fees and costs for required documents. Ask for a written list of expenses and deductions: who pays, how much, and for what.
- Find the official agent for your country — on the How to apply page (concordia.org.uk/seasonal-work/information-for-workers/how-to-apply/). Concordia does not take applications directly.
- Attend an interview — usually online. Questions: motivation, physical readiness, availability dates.
- Receive a job offer — the operator will match you to a farm and send a contract. Read the terms carefully.
- Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — an electronic document for the visa application.
- Apply for the visa online — gov.uk, "Apply for a Seasonal Worker visa". Pay £340. IHS is not charged.
- Submit biometrics — at a visa centre in your country. Decision: ~3 weeks.
- Buy your flight after visa approval — not before.
If anyone asks for money for a place — it is fraud. The operator does not charge for employment. Report it to the GLAA helpline: 0800 432 0804.
What workers sayReviews, Trustpilot, common themes
The themes below are based on aggregation of public posts on Reddit, Trustpilot and Telegram for 2023–2026. These are representative sentiments, not individual quotes with attribution.
Trustpilot
On Trustpilot, Concordia has a rating of 3.0 out of 5 (checked April 2026). The number of reviews is limited. Reviews describe both positive experiences (good organisation, clear process) and problems (delays with CoS, insufficient communication when problems arise on the farm).
Positive themes
Concordia's charity status is seen by workers as a plus — the organisation is associated with a more ethical approach. Its long history (since 1943) inspires trust. The application process is described as organised and transparent. Some workers note good support from coordinators on farms.
Negative themes
Main complaints: insufficient working hours at the beginning and end of the season, delays in issuing CoS (which pushes back visa application deadlines), quality of accommodation on some farms. Some workers report that charity status does not mean better conditions on the farm — conditions are determined by the farm, not the operator.
Concordia was also mentioned in openDemocracy investigations (August 2025) about systemic problems with the Seasonal Worker scheme, although without specific accusations against the operator.
Overall picture
Concordia is one of the largest and oldest operators with charity status. As with any large intermediary, the experience depends on the specific farm. If there are problems — the Concordia coordinator on the farm, then GLAA: 0800 432 0804.
How much they pay
Trip budget: what to check before paying
The application and CoS are free for the employee. The visa fee is £340. Calculate separately for travel, accommodation, food, and a financial buffer until your first paycheck. Check with the visa center in your country for any additional fees and costs for required documents. Ask for a written list of expenses and deductions: who pays, how much, and for what.
Concordia accepts applications through approved agents. Check the agent against Concordia’s official list. A fee for job placement is not allowed; having an agent does not, in itself, mean it is a scam.
Usually, you need to show at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days; day 28 must fall within 31 days before your visa application. You do not need this evidence if your sponsor certifies maintenance in your CoS. This is money to support yourself, not an additional visa fee.
Budget reviewed on 29 September 2026 · Primary sources: Concordia — Seasonal Work, Concordia — Central, GOV.UK — Seasonal Worker visa, GOV.UK — £1,270
Salary, expenses, net earnings
There is no single net earnings figure for 6 months. Use your contract: hourly rate × paid hours, then subtract tax, accommodation deductions, food, travel and other personal expenses. Do not assume a guaranteed duration of employment or overtime beyond the terms of your contract.
Example calculation before taxes and expenses: £12.71 × 32 hours = £406.72 per week. This is not your take-home pay, nor a guarantee of earnings for the entire season.
The scheme rate in 2026 is the same for every age — £12.71/hour (a sponsor guidance requirement, higher than the ordinary NMW for 18–20 year olds). Some farms pay more for piecework. The guaranteed minimum is always £12.71.
| Parameter | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme rate (all ages) | £12.71/hour | NMW 2026 |
| Working hours | Your contract and actual work schedule | Depends on season |
| Example for 26 weeks | £10,574.72 | £12.71 × 32 × 26, before taxes and expenses; no guarantee of season length |
| Tax + NI | According to your tax calculation | Check your payslip; a tax refund is possible only if you have overpaid tax. |
| Accommodation | Based on your contract and expenses | Check the accommodation offset deductions and rules. |
| Visa | £340 | One-time payment |
| Flight | For your route | Check the price and payment terms with the operator before purchasing. |
| Net earnings (6 months) | Based on your contract and expenses | Use the calculation below; there is no fixed take-home total. |
Salary is paid weekly or bi-weekly. Open a UK bank account before arrival (Revolut or Wise). A tax refund is only possible if you’ve overpaid; the amount is calculated by HMRC. Do not include the expected refund in your guaranteed budget. You can file on your own for free; if you choose to use a professional, agree on the cost in advance. reclaim overpaid tax via gov.uk
Accommodation and living conditionsCaravans, cost, what is included
Accommodation is arranged by the operator or farm. Usually caravans or dormitories on the farm site.
Check the cost of accommodation and deductions in your contract. The accommodation offset is £77.70 per week from April 2026 – this is used to calculate the minimum wage, not a universal rent limit. If your employer charges more, the difference reduces the salary counted when checking the minimum rate. GOV.UK — accommodation offset
Standard conditions: bed, shared kitchen, shared showers. Rooms for 2–6 people.
Quality of accommodation varies. If conditions do not meet standards — inform the Concordia coordinator. If that does not help — GLAA: 0800 432 0804.
Your passport must stay with you. If anyone takes your passport — that is a criminal offence (Modern Slavery Act 2015). Call: Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700 or police 999.
Worker rightsMinimum wage, passport, complaintsKnow your rights
Seasonal workers have the same employment rights as British citizens:
- Minimum wage: £12.71/hour for all ages (scheme rate). Piecework pay cannot be lower when converted.
- Working hours: maximum 48 h/week. Opt-out is voluntary.
- Holiday: 5.6 weeks paid holiday (pro rata).
- Payslip: right to a payslip.
- Passport: no one has the right to take it.
- Transfer: you can ask the operator to transfer you to another farm.
Where to turn
| Problem | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Underpayment, operator violations | GLAA: 0800 432 0804 |
| Passport taken | Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or 999 |
| Unsafe conditions | HSE: hse.gov.uk |
| Discrimination | ACAS: 0300 123 1100 |
The right to work is confirmed via an eVisa share code on gov.uk. BRP were abolished at the end of 2024.
Operator contactsWebsite, office
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Website | concordia.org.uk |
| Agents for Kazakhstan | Agropraktika (agropraktika.lt), C.S.P.A (cspa.com.ua), Int. Information Centre (infoworld.com.ua) and others — full list: concordia.org.uk → How to apply |
| Agents for Tajikistan/Ukraine | C.S.P.A (cspa.com.ua), Int. Information Centre (infoworld.com.ua) — same page |
| Registered office | 19 North Street, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1DH |
| Companies House | 00381668 |
| Site languages | The Concordia website is available in 17 languages, including Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek and Ukrainian (concordia.org.uk/seasonal-work/ru/) |
The agents get more applications than there are places, and they do not reply to everyone — Concordia does not comment on individual applications. That is how the process normally works, not a sign of a scam.
Concordia vs other operatorsBrief comparison
| Operator | Recruits from CA | Type | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia | Partial | Charity | Oldest operator, since 1943 |
| HOPS | Yes | Commercial | Largest, Russian portal |
| Pro-Force | Yes | Commercial | Channel via the UZ/KG state migration services |
| Fruitful Jobs | No | Commercial | Just Good Work app |
| AGRI-HR | Yes | Commercial | Recruits from Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan |
| RE Recruitment | No | Commercial | Poultry only |
If you are from Tajikistan or Kazakhstan — Concordia is an option, but you apply through an official agent, not on the website. From Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, look at HOPS (Russian portal) or Pro-Force (applications via the UZ/KG state migration services). Apply to several operators — it is free.
Season 2027 — what we knowApplications are not open yet
Concordia has not opened applications for the 2027 season yet. The UK government has not announced the quota for 2027, but the scheme itself has been extended to 2029. In past years operators opened applications in autumn or winter, and returning workers got their invitations before new candidates.
What you can do right now: check how long your passport is valid, start saving money for the visa and the flight, get your documents ready, and watch the operator's official website. Any "paid registration for 2027" is a scam — operators do not sell places.
Full guide — timeline, how to prepare, scam warnings: Full seasonal-work guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Concordia a charity?
Yes. Concordia (UK) is a registered charity, founded in 1943. Profit is directed to its charitable objectives, not to shareholders.
Does Concordia recruit from Uzbekistan?
No. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are not on the official list of recruitment countries. From Central Asia the list includes Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Applications go through the official agent in your country.
How much does the application cost?
The application and CoS are free for the employee. The visa fee is £340. Calculate separately for travel, accommodation, food, and a financial buffer until your first paycheck. Check with the visa center in your country for any additional fees and costs for required documents. Ask for a written list of expenses and deductions: who pays, how much, and for what. Usually, you need to show at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days; day 28 must fall within 31 days before your visa application. You do not need this evidence if your sponsor certifies maintenance in your CoS. This is money to support yourself, not an additional visa fee.
What is the minimum salary in 2026?
There is one single rate — £12.71/hour.
Is the site in Russian?
Yes. The Concordia website is available in 17 languages, including Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek and Ukrainian (concordia.org.uk/seasonal-work/ru/).
How much can you actually earn in 6 months?
There is no single net earnings figure for 6 months. Use your contract: hourly rate × paid hours, then subtract tax, accommodation deductions, food, travel and other personal expenses. Do not assume a guaranteed duration of employment or overtime beyond the terms of your contract. Example calculation before taxes and expenses: £12.71 × 32 hours = £406.72 per week. This is not your take-home pay, nor a guarantee of earnings for the entire season.
Do I need a BRP?
No. BRP were abolished at the end of 2024. The right to work is confirmed via an eVisa share code on gov.uk.
Where to complain?
GLAA: 0800 432 0804 (free). Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700. ACAS: 0300 123 1100.
Does charity status mean better conditions?
Not necessarily. Conditions on the farm are determined by the farm, not the operator. Charity status implies a different motivation, but does not guarantee better accommodation or more hours.
Can I stay in the UK after the season?
No. The Seasonal Worker visa does not give the right to permanent residence. Overstay = ban on future visas.
When do applications for the 2027 season open?
Not open yet: the 2027 quota has not been announced and the scheme runs until 2029. Operators usually open applications in autumn or winter, and returning workers are invited first. See our seasonal work guide — we update operator pages as soon as official 2027 information appears.