Finnish Immigration Service blocks work permits for berry‑picking firms

The Finnish Immigration Service (Maahanmuuttovirasto) has decided to refrain from granting residence permits or seasonal work visas to four natural‑berry sector employers, temporarily preventing them from recruiting workers from third countries. The move follows investigations that uncovered irregularities in the industry. Employers were first asked to correct the identified issues; one company complied and avoided the suspension, while decisions on six others are still pending and are expected to be finalised by August. The suspensions can last from three to twelve months, with some extending up to a year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier rejected the majority of seasonal work visa applications for berry picking, approving only 123 of 2,145 requests. Veera Salminen, a specialist at the Immigration Service, said, “This all started from the public discussion that has been going on for years.” The berry industry warns that a shortage of foreign labour could hinder the supply of berries to the food‑processing sector this season.