With Finland’s summer harvest and tourist season rapidly approaching, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) on 18 May 2026 published revised guidance on the country’s three-tier seasonal-work scheme. The clarification comes as farmers, forestry companies and Lapland resorts warn of acute labour shortages. The rules themselves are not brand-new – Finland already operates a 90-day seasonal-work visa, a 90-day certificate for visa-exempt nationals, and a residence permit valid for up to nine months.
![Migri issues updated 2026 guidelines for seasonal-work permits]()
One option for applicants who find the self-service portals daunting is to enlist VisaHQ. The company’s Finland desk (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) guides seasonal workers and their employers through every step, from picking the right permit type to uploading compliant documents, and can flag when a longer-term residence-permit route is preferable—helping users avoid costly missteps and delays.
What is new is Migri’s emphasis on using the digital Enter Finland portals, tighter labour-market testing for jobs lasting six to nine months, and a reminder that holders of EU temporary-protection status (notably many Ukrainians) may work in seasonal jobs without any additional permit. Migri is also urging employers to register in “Enter Finland for Employers” so they can upload employment terms electronically; applications submitted this way enjoy lower fees and faster processing. For assignments longer than six months, companies must now document their recruitment efforts inside the European Economic Area – a requirement that will be enforced more strictly during the 2026 season. Foreign workers, meanwhile, are cautioned that a seasonal permit ties them to the employer named on the document. Switching jobs mid-season will require an amendment application, and working without the correct permit can jeopardise future Schengen visas. Migri notes that inspections will focus on accommodation standards and payment of the statutory sectoral minimum wages. For mobility managers, the key takeaway is timing: berry-pickers, hotel staff and forestry crews should file online well before their start date, as processing volumes spike in June and July. Employers that fail to make use of the new e-tools risk delays that could leave them short-staffed during Finland’s peak season.
One option for applicants who find the self-service portals daunting is to enlist VisaHQ. The company’s Finland desk (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) guides seasonal workers and their employers through every step, from picking the right permit type to uploading compliant documents, and can flag when a longer-term residence-permit route is preferable—helping users avoid costly missteps and delays.
What is new is Migri’s emphasis on using the digital Enter Finland portals, tighter labour-market testing for jobs lasting six to nine months, and a reminder that holders of EU temporary-protection status (notably many Ukrainians) may work in seasonal jobs without any additional permit. Migri is also urging employers to register in “Enter Finland for Employers” so they can upload employment terms electronically; applications submitted this way enjoy lower fees and faster processing. For assignments longer than six months, companies must now document their recruitment efforts inside the European Economic Area – a requirement that will be enforced more strictly during the 2026 season. Foreign workers, meanwhile, are cautioned that a seasonal permit ties them to the employer named on the document. Switching jobs mid-season will require an amendment application, and working without the correct permit can jeopardise future Schengen visas. Migri notes that inspections will focus on accommodation standards and payment of the statutory sectoral minimum wages. For mobility managers, the key takeaway is timing: berry-pickers, hotel staff and forestry crews should file online well before their start date, as processing volumes spike in June and July. Employers that fail to make use of the new e-tools risk delays that could leave them short-staffed during Finland’s peak season.
