Finland seasonal work visa and permit

The length of the job decides. For work under three months, nationals of visa-free countries apply to Migri for a certificate for seasonal work, while visa-required nationals apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish mission. For work lasting three to nine months, everyone applies to Migri for a residence permit for seasonal work.

Seasonal work covers agricultural and garden work, forestry and tourism work that depends on the season; wild berry pickers can also obtain seasonal work permits, and workers coming through labour hire agencies are eligible. The employer must offer terms that meet the collective agreement and, if it provides housing, confirm that it meets housing and safety standards. For jobs of six to nine months the labour market test applies.

Under the 2026 fee decree a first residence permit for seasonal work costs EUR 530 online or EUR 630 on paper, and an extension EUR 230 online or EUR 430 on paper. The certificate for seasonal work that visa-free nationals use for jobs under three months costs EUR 200 online or EUR 300 on paper; visa-required nationals instead pay the standard Schengen visa fee of EUR 90 for a seasonal work visa. Paying online in Enter Finland is cheaper, and the fee is due before processing starts.

For a residence permit, apply online in Enter Finland, pay the fee and prove your identity at a Finnish mission or a VFS Global centre acting for it with the original documents. The employer adds the terms of employment. The peak season starts in March, and Migri receives thousands of applications a year, so apply early. Employer certification benefits, including the D visa route for certified employers, do not apply to seasonal work.

You may only work for the employer named in your permit. To add another employer you file a separate application, and the new employer can be added only for the remaining validity of the current permit. Previous seasonal stays count towards the nine-month limit, because the 12-month window is counted backwards from the end of the permit.

A negative Migri decision comes with appeal instructions. The appeal goes to an Administrative Court, which can uphold the refusal or send the case back to Migri; further appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court needs leave to appeal. If you applied from abroad, you wait abroad while the appeal is pending.