Sheep shearer visa extended for one 'final' year after industry pressureThe industry has been warned it must rely on a UK-based workforce in the futureView Image A flock of sheep in close quarters (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)The Home Office has agreed to extend a visa concession for sheep shearers from Australia and New Zealand for one “final” year. The concession has been in place for a number of years, allowing highly skilled shearers to work in the UK during the sheep shearing season. ‌Shearers from New Zealand have been coming to stay in the Coquet Valley in Northumberland for more than 30 years. Following criticism, the Home Office has confirmed the concession would be extended for one more year. However, the industry has been told it will need to create a “fully sustained” UK workforce in the future.

Source: Daily Mirror March 19, 2026 13:58 UTC