Are you interested in working in Norway? This guide explains the current application process for people who need authorization to work in the country.
For applicants from countries outside the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), the permit commonly described as a Norwegian work visa is generally a residence permit for work. Previously, this was called a work permit. A separate entry visa (D-visa) may also be needed to travel to Norway in some circumstances. You must normally find a job first. The type of residence permit you should apply for depends on your qualifications and the type of work you will do in Norway. EU/EEA nationals follow separate rules: they do not need a residence permit to work in Norway, although they generally must register if they will work and live in Norway for more than three months.
Steps to Apply for a Norwegian Work Visa
The steps below explain the general process for applicants who need a Norwegian residence permit for work. Because the correct application route depends on your citizenship and the type of work you plan to do, use the personalized guidance on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website.
Step 1. Complete the Requirements
Review the requirements on the UDI website. For example, applicants seeking a residence permit as skilled workers with an employer in Norway must normally have a concrete job offer from one specific employer. If you apply on your own from abroad for this type of permit, your employer must submit confirmation of the job offer before you submit the application form. Your employer will provide a code that you must enter in the form. The exact supporting documents depend on your circumstances. After completing the electronic application form, you will receive a personalized checklist. Gather the required documents before submitting your application.
Step 2. Register on the UDI Website
Use UDI’s My page to start and manage your electronic application. My page allows you to view applications, send documents, pay the application fee, and book an appointment. Complete the form carefully and provide accurate information. If information or documents are missing, UDI may contact you. Applicants submitting documents from abroad generally follow the instructions provided by the responsible embassy or Visa Application Centre (VFS). Applicants submitting documents from Norway generally attend an appointment with the police or the Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA).
Step 3. Pay the Application Fee
UDI currently lists the fee for a residence permit for work at NOK 6,300 for applicants over the age of 18, including renewals. The fee for applicants under the age of 18 is NOK 3,150. If you register your application electronically, you pay the fee as the final step in the application process. If you submit documents at a Visa Application Centre, an additional service fee may apply. A courier fee may also apply in some cases. Review the current UDI fee schedule before paying.
Step 4. Prepare for the Interview Appointment
This step is usually an appointment to submit documents, rather than a routine final interview. If you apply from abroad, follow the instructions provided by the embassy or Visa Application Centre. If you apply from Norway, you will generally attend an appointment with the police or SUA. In some cases, UDI may carry out additional investigations. These investigations may include an interview with the police or an embassy. UDI will contact you if an interview or additional documentation is required.
Step 5. Accept the Result
The waiting time depends on the type of residence permit you applied for. After you submit your documents, your application is forwarded to UDI. If information or documents are missing, UDI may contact you. If your application is complete and does not require additional investigation, UDI will process the case and send you a decision. If your application is rejected, review the decision letter carefully. You have the right to appeal before the deadline stated in the letter, and there is no fee for an appeal. If your application is approved, follow the instructions in your decision letter. If you need a visa to travel to Norway, you will generally need an entry visa (D-visa). Applicants who applied from abroad must also book a follow-up appointment with the police for their residence card.
Documents Needed for a Norwegian Work Visa
Submit the documents listed in your personalized UDI checklist. UDI provides general checklists, but the electronic application process generates a personalized checklist based on your circumstances. For example, skilled workers with an employer in Norway must have a concrete job offer from one specific employer. The offered position must require skilled-worker qualifications, and the pay and working conditions must not be poorer than what is normal in Norway. Do not assume that a generic list of documents applies to every applicant.
Additional documents may be required depending on the type of work. Skilled workers with an employer in Norway, employees of international companies assigned to a Norwegian branch, employees of companies abroad assigned to work in Norway, athletes or coaches, religious leaders or teachers, and self-employed applicants have different requirements. Learn more by reviewing the appropriate category on the UDI work immigration page.
A residence permit for work is the main authorization that allows you to work in Norway. If you have been granted a residence permit and need a visa to enter Norway, you will generally need an entry visa (D-visa) in your passport. Skilled workers may also be eligible for an entry visa in certain circumstances while waiting for a decision. However, an entry visa does not itself authorize you to work. As a rule, you cannot start working until your residence permit has been granted. An exception may apply if the police provide confirmation of an early employment start.
If you have a residence permit as a skilled worker with an employer in Norway and later change employers while continuing to work in the same type of position, you do not need to apply for a new residence permit. Your pay and working conditions must not be poorer than what is normal in Norway, and you must continue to meet the requirements for your permit. You must notify the police where you live within seven days of starting the new job. If you start a new type of position, you must apply for a new residence permit and cannot begin the new position until the new permit has been granted.
For skilled workers with an employer in Norway, the validity period depends on the position. If the position requires vocational training at the upper-secondary-school level, the permit can be granted for up to one year at a time. If the position requires education or a degree from a university or university college, the permit can normally be granted for up to three years at a time. In some cases, such as work through a staffing agency, the permit may be limited to one year at a time.
After three years, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit if you meet the applicable requirements. For work immigration, the continuous-residence requirement is normally three years. You must continue to meet the relevant requirements when the police or UDI makes a formal decision on your permanent residence application.
If you wish to bring your family to Norway, review the family immigration guidelines. If your family members apply at the same time as you, UDI generally coordinates the decisions. During a transitional period involving UDI’s case-processing system, a family member’s response may arrive one to two weeks after the work immigrant’s response.
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