Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion can apply for jobs picking fruit and veg if they want to come to the UK, a migration minister said in a now-deleted tweet.
Kevin Foster MP, responding to Labour MP Luke Pollard, wrote that there are a 'number of routes' for refugees from the war.
The Tory government is under pressure to allow Ukrainians refuge in the UK as the invading Russian forces surge toward Kyiv and other key objectives.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is "of course" going to take refugees and pledged to help people "fleeing in fear of their lives".
For all the updates on the war follow our dedicated liveblog
His comments come after Labour said the Government's refusal to relax visa restrictions for those seeking sanctuary in the UK was "immoral" at a time when the country was under fire.
But Home Secretary Priti Patel hit back, accusing the opposition of "appalling misinformation" and saying the claims were "simply untrue".
Mr Foster, an immigration minister under Priti Patel, tweeted on Saturday evening: "Hi Luke, as you are well aware there are a number of routes, not least our seasonal work scheme you will recall from your shadow DEFRA days, which Ukrainians can qualify for, alongside the family route for those with relatives here."
The tweet was later deleted.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper reacted by tweeting: "My God. People are fleeing war in Europe, the like we haven't seen in generations, in search of swift sanctuary.
"Yet the immigration minister says the answer is they should put in an application to pick Britain's fruit & veg."
Ms Cooper earlier tweeted: " Ukraine is under fire. People are fleeing war. Yet Home Office still applies normal visa restrictions including salaries, language, close relatives.
"This isn't solidarity with Ukraine, it's immoral." In response to Labour's claims, Ms Patel tweeted: "Appalling misinformation at a time of international crisis. This is simply untrue."
Retweeting a clip of Mr Johnson speaking about refugees, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "The PM knocks the fake news being pedalled by Labour front bench MPs on the head.
"Appalling political opportunism and misinformation in the midst of a crisis."
A Government spokesman said the priority was supporting British nationals and their dependents who are resident in Ukraine who wanted to get out.
"We are working around the clock to process visa applications and are processing many applications in a matter of hours," the spokesman said.
Application fees had been temporarily waived for those eligible for entry by the family route while those who did not meet the requirements were being allowed entry for 12 months.
While the main UK visa application centre in Kyiv has been closed, the one in Lviv remained open for family members of British nationals in Ukraine. Staff had been "surged" to the centres in nearby countries, including Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary, to help those who made it across the border.
"Ukrainian nationals are able to apply for visas from these centres and we have announced concessions for Ukrainians currently in the UK, to extend or switch their visa," the spokeswoman said.
