Majority of seasonal work visa applications for wild-berry pickers refused

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has received approximately 2,200 seasonal work visa applications this year for the purpose of wild-berry picking in Finland. To date, a majority of the applications have been processed, approximately 1,600 applications in total. The processing has revealed indications of a risk of worker exploitation, as well as shortcomings in employers’ compliance with their statutory obligations. The majority of the applications, approximately 1,400, have been refused.

Most of these seasonal work visa applications (about 2,100) were processed at Finland’s Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. Small numbers of applications were also submitted in Kazakhstan, Kenya, Vietnam, Nepal and India.

Wild-berry picking became subject to seasonal work rules with an amendment to the Seasonal Workers Act that entered into force in February 2025. The aim is to improve the position of berry pickers and prevent labour exploitation. Subsequently, foreign berry pickers coming to Finland are hired for a contractual employment relationship and must apply for a seasonal work visa or a residence permit for seasonal work. The amendment brought wild-berry pickers within the scope of labour legislation, the occupational safety and health regulations and the related supervision by the authorities. 

In the 2026 season, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been able to draw on the Finnish Supervisory Agency’s 2025 reports on wild-berry picking, alongside information provided by other authorities, to support the processing of seasonal work visa applications. The processing has revealed indications of a risk of worker exploitation, as well as shortcomings in employers’ compliance with their statutory obligations.

“The primary reason for refusal is that the mission processing the application is not satisfied that the employer will be able to fulfil its obligations as an employer,” says Katja Luopajärvi, Director of the Visa Unit at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 

Recent allegations of serious criminal offences and legal proceedings within the wild-berry sector are also taken into consideration when assessing visa applications.

The processing of visa applications involves the exercise of public powers that is based on the law. “Under the law, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finland’s missions abroad have a duty to combat labour exploitation and trafficking in human beings whenever there is any indication of such activity,” Katja Luopajärvi says.

The risks of labour exploitation do not always come to the attention of the authorities processing visa applications. For this reason, combating exploitation requires close cooperation among authorities throughout the harvest season. Companies employing foreign wild-berry pickers bear the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with employment terms and conditions as well as for safeguarding the rights of berry pickers, including the provision of appropriate working and accommodation conditions.