The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) has announced that international sheep shearers can enter the UK in 2025.
The decision comes after months of lobbying government. The Minister for Migration and Citizenship agreed to the concession for sheep shearers for a period of one year to cover this shearing season (1 April – 30 June) and a Ministerial Authorisation came into force on 10 April 2025.
The scheme allows non-visa nationals, particularly from New Zealand and Australia) to enter the UK for a short, limited period to ensure that shearing is completed on time.
Jill Hewitt, NAAC chief executive said, “Sheep shearing is a skilled and physical profession and, whilst we have an excellent resource of UK shearers, NAAC contractors still rely on an input of overseas shearers to carry out an estimated 20% of UK shearing.
“This vital scheme is well-managed to ensure that professional overseas shearers can enter the UK, for a limited period, to help get the 15 million sheep shorn to high standards of animal welfare.”
Entry requirements
Shearers entering from abroad will have to satisfy an immigration officer that they are here, for a temporary period, to be employed as sheep shearers.
The NAAC will supply members with the necessary paperwork to make entry as smooth as possible, and is also requesting to be informed of all shearers entering the UK so that assistance can be provided.
Specific entry requirements include:
- The applicant is genuinely seeking entry for the purpose of undertaking employment or providing service as a sheep shearer; and
- The applicant will be able to maintain and accommodate himself without recourse to public funds; and
- The applicant will leave the UK at the end of their stay; and
- The applicant arrives in the UK for this purpose between 1 April and 30 June; and
- The applicant provides a work contract confirming the nature of their employment and their remuneration.