Finland Seasonal Work Visa: Types, Jobs, Requirements, & Application Process 

The Finland Seasonal Work Visa is for anyone wanting to engage in seasonal work in Finland. Seasonal work refers to work related to agriculture and tourism tied to a specific time of the year. You can get a seasonal work visa for 3 months, 3 to 6 months, and 6 to 9 months.  The maximum duration of the visa is 9 months within 12 months. The duration of work will impact the type of work permit you will get. Those who want to work as a seasonal worker can read this blog. We have covered everything you need about the Seasonal Work visa: Eligible seasonal work, requirements, application process, fees, processing time, and more.

Who Needs a Finland Seasonal Work Visa?

You do not need a Finland seasonal work visa if you come under any of the following categories. That is,

• You can be a citizen of an EU Member State, a visa-free country, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. 
• You are a British citizen who has stayed in the country before  31 December 2020, and you hold a permanent residence permit.

Those who do not come under the above categories have to apply for a seasonal work visa.

Finland Seasonal Work Visa: Eligible Occupations 

To apply for a seasonal work visa, your work must come under the list of eligible occupations. 

Seasonal jobs in Finland for foreigners in the agricultural sector are as follows:

• Work as a ski instructor
• Raising and care of dairy cattle
• Picking of garden berries
• Raising and caring for pigs
• Work-related to silviculture and forestry 
• Employment at a fur farm
• Collecting cones for seed production
• Work related to restaurants and accommodation (if the activities of the organisation are seasonal)
• Working as a wilderness or tourist guide 

Under the tourism sector, the following work is recognised as seasonal work:

• Inland passenger water transporting 
• Coastal passenger water transport
• Accommodation and food service activities 
• Other reservation services and related activities 
• Tour operator activities 
• Activities of amusement parks/ theme parks
• Support activities for performing arts
• Skiing centre activities

Finland Seasonal Work Visa: Ineligible Occupations 

The following jobs are not counted as seasonal work. You cannot obtain a seasonal work visa if your job comes under the following categories:

• If you are gathering cones for decoration 
• Gathering of mushrooms, and wild-growing lichen 
• Picking of forest berries
• Building a new piggery
• Cowshed roof repair 
• Seasonal worker’s living quarters’s renovation work 
• Work related to aquaculture, and fishing 
• Construction of landscape management and green areas 
• Golf course maintenance
• Real estate maintenance
• Food industry-related work

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Finland Seasonal Work Permit Types 

The Finland Seasonal work permit depends on the duration of your stay

• Seasonal Work for less than 3 months: You can apply at a Finnish Mission (consulate/embassy) for a seasonal work visa 
• Seasonal Work for 3 to 6 months: Visit the Finnish Immigration Service to apply for a Residence Permit for Seasonal Work 
• Working for 6 to 9 months: Apply for a seasonal residence permit through a Finnish Immigration Service. Your application is processed in 2 stages. That is, the Employment and Economic Development Office will take a partial decision. Next, the Immigration Office will process your application and take a decision accordingly.

How to Get a Seasonal Work Visa for Finland?

To get a seasonal work visa for Finland follow the steps below: 

• First, decide the type of seasonal work you want to take up and apply for jobs
• Get hired by a recognised employer and Finland and obtain a work permit 
• Take into account the duration of your work. 
• If you want to work for less than 3 months you can directly apply for a work visa based on seasonal work. This visa is also called the Unifrom Schengen visa.
• Those who want to stay for longer than 3 months can apply for a Finland residence permit. 
• A residence card is issued after your residence permit application is accepted. You can only start work after your residence permit has been issued.
• To apply for a Finland Uniform Schengen visa or a residence permit you must meet the eligibility criteria. This includes submitting the relevant documents.

Learn about Finland Student Visa here

Finland Seasonal Work Visa Requirements (for less than 3 months of Stay)

The following documents are necessary to apply for a seasonal work visa. These documents must be submitted in the English language.

• Visa Application Form & a Photo: You need to fill out the visa application form, sign and date it. A photograph must also be attached according to the specifications laid out by Finland.
• Travel document: A passport that is valid for 3 months before the duration of your stay.
• Medical Insurance: The medical insurance must be valid for the duration of your stay. The insurance must be valid in all the Schengen states and must be of at least EUR 30,000.
• Proof of Funds: Present last 3 months’ bank statements. You must have funds to cover your stay until the 1st payday.
• Last Two Years ITR & Identity Proof: The ITR for the last 2 years and your identity proof must be submitted. For example, the Aadhar card. You also need to present proof of a change of name (If applicable)
• Additional Documents: Additional documents like written permission from parents, and proof of relationships with parents/guardians must be submitted. (if you are under 18 years)
• Documents Confirming Your Purpose of Stay: Roundtrip flight reservation, proof of accommodation in Finland, and a valid contract for employment/a job offer letter that is binding must be submitted. Apart from that, you need to submit documents for seasonal work that explain the details of your work. Employer’s Assurance  Form and any other additional documents must be submitted.

How to Apply for Seasonal Work in Finland?

You can apply for a Finland seasonal work visa by following the steps below:

• Gather documents: Gather the documents required to apply for a seasonal work visa, and fill out the visa application form
• Visa Appointment: You can book a visa appointment, and submit your biometric information. You need to bring your documents with you on this date
• Fee Payment: You can pay the visa application fee at this stage 
• A visa interview may be held in some cases
• Track your application: You can track the status of your application either online by entering the reference number and your last name 
• Collect documents: Lastly, collect the documents and your passports once the outcome of your application is available.
• Travel to Finland: If your visa application is approved you can travel to Finland

To learn more about the Finland work visa application process, watch the video below:

Finland Seasonal Work Visa Fee

The Finland seasonal work visa fee is as follows:

Visa Name	Fees
Finland Seasonal Work Visa (Applicants Above the age of 12)	EUR 90

Finland Seasonal Work Visa Processing Time

The Seasonal work visa processing time are provided below:

Visa Name	Processing Time
Finland Seasonal Work Visa	15-20 days (working days)

Residence Permit Application for Seasonal Work (for more than 3 months of stay)

A Residence Permit Application for Seasonal Work can be submitted by anyone wanting to take up seasonal work for more than 3 months. You can apply for a First Residence Permit for seasonal work. This residence permit can also be extended for up to 9 months within 12 months. Those who already hold a Finland seasonal work visa can also apply for a residence permit before their visa expires. 

Seasonal workers are only allowed to work for the employer they have marked on the residence permit. However, you can apply to add a new employer. Seasonal workers are not permitted to bring their family members along with them to Finland.

Eligibility Criteria for a Residence Permit Application for Seasonal Work

The basic eligibility criteria for a seasonal work permit are as follows. 

• You must be engaged in seasonal work for  more than 3 months and a maximum period of 9 months 
• You have an employment contract with a recognised employer in Finland 
• Have Funds to Support Yourself for the Duration of your stay
• You have a valid passport and are not from an EU member state, Norway, Liechtenstein or Swizerland.
• You have arranged accommodation for yourself in Finland

Documents Required for a Finland Residence Permit for Seasonal Work

The following are the documents required for a Finland Residence Permit. Those who have already obtained the Finland seasonal work visa can also apply for a residence permit. 

• An employment contract that includes the terms of your employment
• A valid passport, passport copies, and a passport-size photograph
• A document proving that you are staying legally in the country you are applying from
• Fully completed and signed residence permit application form 

How to Apply for a Finland Residence Permit for Seasonal Work?

You can apply for a Finland residence permit for seasonal work by following the steps below. Note: The application form can be filled out online or offline, the cost of an online application is cheaper.

• First, visit the website ‘Enter Finland’
• Fill out the application form for seasonal work-  OLE_TY6, and upload the relevant documents. 
• Pay the application fee for a residence permit 
• Next, book an appointment at a Finnish Embassy or Consulate.You can pay the fees if you haven’t already (for paper applications)
• Lastly, wait for a decision from the Finnish Immigration Service.

FAQs

We hope you now understand what is a Finland Seasonal Work Visa. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!

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