2,600 seasonal work visas granted to foreign wild-berry pickers

About 2,600 wild-berry pickers were granted a seasonal work visa for Finland for summer 2025. About 60 applicants received a negative decision.

Most of the applications were processed by the Embassy of Finland in Bangkok, Thailand. Applications were also submitted in Vietnam, Nepal and India.

The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has not granted tourist visas for wild-berry picking since summer 2023. Now, pickers coming to Finland are hired for a contractual employment relationship and therefore apply for a visa or residence permit for seasonal work.

Most berry pickers apply for a seasonal work visa, which allows them to work in Finland for up to 90 days. Wild-berry pickers became subject to seasonal work rules with an amendment to the Seasonal Workers Act that entered into force in February 2025.

The amendment aims to improve the position of wild-berry pickers and prevent labour exploitation by bringing berry pickers under labour law, the occupational safety and health regulations and the related supervision by the authorities.

The processing of visa applications involves the exercise of public powers that is strictly based on law. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finnish missions abroad have the obligation to combat exploitation and trafficking in human beings if there are indications of such activity. 

However, not all risks of exploitation come to the attention of the authorities during the processing of entry permits. This is why the authorities need to collaborate throughout the harvest season to combat exploitation effectively.

The companies that employ foreign wild-berry pickers have the primary responsibility for ensuring that the terms of employment are complied with.