Top Unskilled Jobs in Finland for Foreigners with Visa Sponsorship (2025)

Finland is a great destination for foreigners seeking unskilled jobs with visa sponsorship. Demand runs high across agriculture, cleaning, warehousing, construction support, food packaging, and care assistance, driven by an aging population and ongoing labour shortages—especially outside the biggest cities. The appeal is simple: legal contracts, regulated hours, health insurance, fair wages, and clear residence routes. This transactional guide shows you how to qualify, where to apply, which visas fit, expected salaries, and the exact steps to land an offer.

Why Choose Finland for Unskilled Work (Visa Sponsorship)

• Legal, stable employment: Proper contracts, insured work, and worker protections.

• Fair pay for entry roles: Typical gross pay €1,800–€2,400/month, higher with overtime/night rates.

• Predictable rosters: Regulated breaks, paid leave, and clear shift rules.

• Sponsorship-friendly sectors: Farms, cleaning/facilities, food factories, logistics hubs, and hospitality.

• Pathways to stay longer: Residence permits can be extended if you keep working and meet conditions.

Entry-Level Skills and Experience Required

Core Skills Employers Expect

• Basic English (A2 is often enough); Finnish is a plus and accelerates promotions.

• Physical stamina for standing, lifting, and repetitive tasks.

• Punctuality and reliability—Finland values on-time culture.

• Safety & hygiene awareness (HACCP in food sites; PPE in warehouses and construction).

• Teamwork and instruction-following in mixed-language crews.

Nice-to-Haves (Boost Your Shortlisting)

• Prior farm/warehouse/cleaning/kitchen experience (even informal).

• Basic Finnish phrases (workplace, safety, numbers, time).

• Forklift (trukki) licence, hygiene passport (hygieniapassi), or first-aid card—can be earned after arrival but helps early.

Regions with the Highest Payment Structures

Helsinki Metropolitan Area (Helsinki–Espoo–Vantaa)

Highest demand and pay for cleaning, warehousing, construction assistance, and food services. Cost of living is higher, but overtime and night premiums are common.

Turku (Southwest)

Logistics, shipping, and seasonal agriculture. Food factories and warehouses pay competitive rates; summer harvest peaks bring extra shifts.

Tampere (Pirkanmaa)

Manufacturing, logistics, and F&B. Slightly lower costs than Helsinki with solid night/weekend differentials, enabling better savings.

Lapland (North)

Tourism/hospitality peaks (winter season) and remote roles. Employers often pay higher hourly rates or add-ons to attract workers; cold climate readiness required.

Rural Hubs (Greenhouses & Farms)

Greenhouse vegetables, berry picking, and poultry/food processing. Frequently include shared housing or transport, which dramatically improves your net savings.

Salary Expectations for Unskilled Workers (Guide)

Ranges vary by region, shift pattern, and benefits. Overtime, night, and weekend work can lift totals substantially.

Visa Types and Options for Unskilled Workers in Finland

Residence Permit for Employment (Most Common)

For non-EU/EEA candidates with a signed job offer. Employer submits terms; you apply to Migri with your contract, valid passport, proof of accommodation/insurance, and clean record. Renewable if employment continues.

Seasonal Work Permit (Up to 9 Months)

Covers agriculture and tourism (berry picking, greenhouses, resort support). Ideal for first-time entrants; many return annually or transition to longer contracts.

D-Visa + Residence Permit (Faster Entry in Some Cases)

Under recent streamlining, certain shortage roles may be eligible for a D-visa to enter quickly and finalise residence formalities upon arrival, when the employer and role qualify.

Important: Always work through registered employers. Do not travel to “look for work” without the correct permit.

Step-by-Step: How to Secure Unskilled Jobs in Finland

Step 1: Pick Your Target Sector and Region

Choose two sectors (e.g., warehouse + cleaning or farm + food packaging) and two locations (e.g., Helsinki metro + Turku). This doubles your chances without diluting focus.

Step 2: Build a Finland-Ready CV (1 Page)

• Header: Name, WhatsApp/Email, current country, “Visa sponsorship required”.

• Profile (3 lines): Reliable, shift-flexible, basic English/Finnish, physically fit.

• Experience bullets:

  • “Picked/packed 1,000+ items/shift with 99% scan accuracy.”

  • “Kept HACCP logs; zero non-conformances during audit week.”

  • “Operated pallet jack; maintained clean, safe workstation.”

• Skills: PPE use, manual handling, hygiene, teamwork, punctuality.

• Availability: Earliest start date & willingness to relocate.

Step 3: Assemble a Fast-Approval Document Pack

• Passport, job references, basic police clearance.

• Proof of funds or accommodation plan (for visa).

• Any training cards (hygieniapassi/first aid/forklift if available).

• Simple cover letter stating relocation readiness and shift flexibility.

Step 4: Apply Where Sponsorship Is Explicit

Search portals (below) filtering for English-speaking or visa sponsorship roles. Prioritise employers/agents with clear history of hiring foreigners.

Step 5: Interview and Trial Shift Prep

• Safety basics (PPE, hand hygiene, slips/trips, lifting technique).

• Quality checks (spotting cracked products, correct labelling, cleaning schedules).

• Answer concisely; confirm nights/weekends availability during peaks.

Step 6: Confirm Offer & Sponsorship in Writing

Request a written breakdown: hourly wage, contracted hours, shift premiums, location, housing/transport, probation period, and who handles the Migri paperwork.

Step 7: Submit Permit and Plan Relocation

Respond quickly to document requests; book biometrics; arrange temporary housing near site; budget first month for bond, groceries, SIM, and transport.

Companies Hiring Unskilled Workers in Finland

• Cleaning & Facilities: SOL Palvelut, Lassila & Tikanoja (L&T), RTK-Palvelu.

• Postal & Logistics: Posti Group (sorting/warehousing), private 3PL hubs.

• Food Processing & Packaging: HKScan, Atria, Snellman, regional dairies and bakeries.

• Agriculture & Greenhouses: Berry farms and vegetable greenhouses (Southwest & rural hubs).

• Construction Labour Providers: Barona, Bolt Works (site support, cleanup, material handling).
  These employers (and their partner agencies) frequently recruit foreigners and can guide sponsorship.

Employment Websites to Find Unskilled Jobs in Finland

• TE-palvelut (Public Employment Service): National listings, including English-language roles and seasonal jobs.

• Duunitori.fi: Strong for mixed-skilled roles; filter for English/entry-level.

• Barona.fi / Opteam.fi: Staffing agencies experienced with international candidates.

• WorkinFinland.fi: Government-backed resource hub; seasonal and regional postings appear around peak times.

• Seasonalwork.fi: Agriculture/seasonal roles—many with accommodation details.

• Social channels: Reputable Facebook groups (“Jobs in Finland for Foreigners”)—verify identity, contract, and company registration before sharing data.

Application Templates You Can Copy

Initial Outreach (Employer/Agency)

Subject: Warehouse/Packaging – Ready to Relocate (Visa Sponsorship)
Hello [Name], I’m applying for the [Role] in [City/Region]. I can work rotating shifts, weekends, and start within [X] weeks. I have experience in [cleaning/warehouse/farm/kitchen], basic English (learning Finnish), and I’m sponsorship-ready. May I share my CV and earliest start date?

Follow-Up (5–7 Business Days)

Hello [Name], checking on my application for the [Role]. I’m available for a video interview this week and can provide references, police check, and medical readiness upon request.

Offer Confirmation

Thank you for the offer. Could you confirm the hourly pay, shift premiums, contracted hours, housing/transport assistance, probation length, and the sponsorship/permit process and timeline? I can start on [date].

Overcoming Common Hurdles (With Solutions)

No Finnish Credit History or Local References

Provide employer references from home country, passport ID, and work evidence. Agencies accustomed to foreign hires will accept international documentation.

Limited English or No Finnish Yet

Learn task-specific phrases (safety, time, tools). Many teams operate bilingually; show willingness to keep learning.

High City Rents

Target Tampere/Turku/rural hubs or roles with accommodation. Net savings often beat Helsinki, even with slightly lower base pay.

Seasonal Gaps

Apply 2–4 months before harvest or tourist season. Off-season, focus on cleaning/warehouse roles that hire year-round.

Scam Awareness

Never pay large “recruitment fees.” Only sign written contracts with legal entities; verify company registration; share documents via official HR channels.

Viewing Checklist (If You’re Offered Employer Housing)

• Room condition (heating, insulation, damp).

• Distance to site and transport costs.

• Shared facilities (kitchen, laundry) and included utilities.

• House rules, deposit, and notice periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree?

No. Employers prioritise reliability, basic English, and physical readiness. Training is often on the job.

Can I move to a different employer later?

Yes, but you must update your residence permit conditions. Check with Migri before switching.

How long does the process take?

Time varies by embassy/season. Speed it up by keeping complete documents and responding quickly to HR and Migri requests.

Can I bring my family?

Depending on your residence type and income/housing, family reunification may be possible after you’ve settled into work. Confirm specifics with your employer and Migri.

Are overtime and night rates common?

Yes—especially in logistics, food factories, and hospitality. These premiums can materially increase your monthly income.

Clear Next Steps

1. Pick two sectors and two regions (e.g., cleaning + logistics; Helsinki + Tampere).

2. Prepare a one-page CV with measurable outcomes and a short, clear cover note.

3. Assemble your document pack (ID, references, police check, any certs).

4. Apply on TE-palvelut, Duunitori, Barona/Opteam, Seasonalwork—prioritise sponsors.

5. Interview with safety/quality examples, confirm the offer in writing, then submit your permit and plan relocation.