If you are coming to Finland to pick wild berries, you must apply for a seasonal work permit. Seasonal work permits include a seasonal work visa, a certificate for seasonal work or a residence permit for seasonal work.
To receive a seasonal work permit for picking wild berries, you must work in an employment relationship. An employment relationship means that you have an employer and you have made an agreement on work and pay with the employer.
The duration of your work will affect what permit you need to apply for
If your employment lasts less than 3 months:
- If you come from a country subject to the visa requirement, apply for a seasonal work visa from a Finnish embassy or consulate. For more information about seasonal workers' visas, see the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (um.fi).
- If you come from a visa-free country and are picking wild berries in an employment relationship, apply for a certificate for seasonal work from the Finnish Immigration Service.
- If you come from a visa-free country and are not in an employment relationship, you do not need a certificate for seasonal work.
If your employment lasts between 3 and 9 months:
- Apply for a residence permit for seasonal work from the Finnish Immigration Service. The duration of the employment relationship determines the duration of the permit granted.
- Your employer must fill in your terms of employment in the application. The employer receives information about their obligations on the For employers of seasonal workers page.
- If your employment relationship lasts between 6 and 9 months, your application will undergo a labour market test. A labour market test means that the Finnish Immigration Service examines whether there are suitable employees available for the vacancy that your application concerns in the Finnish or EU and EEA labour market within a reasonable time.
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