Finland has turned down the vast majority of seasonal work visa applications submitted by foreign workers seeking employment in the country’s wild-berry harvesting industry, citing concerns over potential labour exploitation and employers’ ability to meet legal obligations.
According to the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, around 2,200 applications for seasonal work visas have been received for the 2026 berry-picking season. Authorities have processed roughly 1,600 applications so far, rejecting approximately 1,400 of them.
Most applications were lodged through Finland’s embassy in Bangkok, which handles applications from Thailand, the main source of seasonal berry pickers. Smaller numbers of applications were also submitted from Kazakhstan, Kenya, Vietnam, Nepal and India.
The high rejection rate follows major reforms introduced earlier this year that brought wild-berry picking under Finland’s Seasonal Workers Act. The legislation, which took effect in February 2025, requires foreign berry pickers to be employed under formal contracts rather than working as independent gatherers, placing them under Finnish labour laws and occupational safety regulations.
Officials said visa assessments for the current season have been informed by reports from the Finnish Supervisory Agency and other authorities, which highlighted potential risks of worker exploitation and instances where employers failed to comply with legal responsibilities.
“The most common reason for refusing an application is that the authorities are not convinced the employer will be able to fulfil its obligations,” said Katja Luopajärvi, Director of the Visa Unit at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Authorities also said recent criminal investigations and legal proceedings involving companies operating in the wild-berry sector are considered during the visa review process when relevant.
The ministry stressed that Finnish diplomatic missions are legally required to identify and prevent risks related to labour exploitation and human trafficking when processing visa applications. However, officials acknowledged that not all cases can be detected before workers arrive in Finland, making cooperation between government agencies throughout the harvest season essential.
While authorities are strengthening oversight, the government emphasised that companies recruiting foreign berry pickers remain primarily responsible for ensuring lawful employment conditions, fair treatment, and adequate accommodation for seasonal workers.
The legislative changes were introduced following growing scrutiny of working conditions in Finland’s berry industry, where reports of exploitation have prompted calls for stronger protections for migrant labourers.
HT