Finland Seasonal Work Visa for Farm Workers

Earn Money in Finland’s Farms, Gardens and Berry Fields

Every summer and autumn, Finland’s farms, greenhouses, gardens and forests need extra hands, especially for picking strawberries, blueberries and other wild berries. Finland’s seasonal work rules let workers from outside the EU come for these jobs for up to nine months within any 12-month period. It is a legal way to earn Finnish wages for a season, with housing that must meet Finnish health and safety standards. Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland don’t need a permit, so this route is mainly for workers from other countries.

Which Permit You Need and the Rules

The permit depends on how long you will work. For less than three months, citizens of visa-free countries apply for a certificate for seasonal work, while citizens who need a visa apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish embassy or consulate. For three to nine months, you apply for a residence permit for seasonal work, and for six to nine months, the authorities also check whether suitable workers are available in Finland or the EU first. In every case, you need a confirmed job, and your employer must complete your terms of employment. Your pay must meet the collective agreement minimum, or at least EUR 1,463 a month before tax (2026) if there is no agreement, and you cannot start work before your permit or certificate is granted.

How to Find a Seasonal Job and Apply, Step by Step

First, search for seasonal jobs on Job Market Finland with terms like “Kausityö” (seasonal work), “Seasonal Work Finland”, “Farm Worker Finland” or “Berry Picking Finland”. Next, agree on your work dates and terms with the employer, and make sure you get a written employment contract before you pay for travel. Then choose the right permit for your work period and apply in Migri’s Enter Finland online service, which has lower fees than a paper application, while your employer completes your terms of employment in its own form. Finally, wait for the decision before you travel or start work, and check that all your attachments are included, because you are responsible for your application. Emig can also help you find relevant opportunities and prepare stronger job applications.

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