4.3
(12)

Norway is a small Scandinavian country with a developing economy. Almost 14% of its population is foreign-born. The Norwegian government welcomes international employed to deal with the shortage of workforce. To work in Norway, you might need a Norway work visa.

In this article, we will explain who needs and does not need a work visa for Norway, the application process, requirements, FAQs, and more.

Norway Work visa vs. Work permit

A Norway work visa is permission to enter the country. But Norway’s work permit or residence permit is the authorization to work in the country. It grants you some advantages. Without a work permit, you can not apply for a work visa.

Get the FREE Cheat sheet for

Norway Work Visa

Do you need a Norway work permit?

The non-EU nationals who want to work in Norway need a Norway work permit. The essential step to applying for the Norway work visa is to find an employer who is willing to hire a foreign employee.

The employer needs to apply for a Norway work permit inside the country. If the officials agree to grant and issue the work permit, then the employee can apply for a work visa in his/her home country.

The Norway work permit can only be issued to the Norwegian employer inside the country, and the employee can not do it without him/her.

Immigration to Norway as a mechanical engineer today. Just read our article.

Video description 

Directorate of Immigration website.

Offer of employment form 

UDI website to apply for a work permit 

The application form to bring your family to Norway

Who Needs and Does not Need Norway Work Visa?

Whether you need a Norway work visa or not depends on your nationality.

EU, EEA countries

The residents of the EU and EEA can work in Norway without a work visa. They don’t need a work permit, either. However, they have to inform the local police of their presence. It is true when they want to stay for up to three months. In case they intend to stay longer than 90 days, they have to apply for a residence permit or work permit.

Can EU citizens move to Norway without a Job?

Providing that you are from the EU or EEA and don’t have a job offer, you can still move to Norway. You could move as a job seeker. You have permission to look for a job for six months. If you do not find a job, you have to leave Norway for a short time and return.

Non-EU countries

The non-EU countries need a work visa and work permit to work in Norway. Non-EU nationals must have a job offer to apply for a Norway work visa.

The Application Process for Norway Work Visa

The application process for the Norway work visa is straightforward. Please note that there is a difference between a work visa and a work permit. The process we explain here is for Non-EU residents:

1. Job offer

A valid job offer is mandatory to apply for a Norway work visa. It is the first requirement. Without a job offer, you can not start the application process. A Norwegian employer must offer you a job that you are skilled in. Norwegian employers must provide an official offer of employment to you.

2. Work permit

When you have a job offer, you have to apply for a work permit. The work permit is permission to work in Norway legally, and a work visa allows you to enter the country. If your future employer has written a consent letter, he/she can do this on your behalf of you. You have to send the requirements to your employer to apply for your residence permit.

Applicants could also apply for a Norway residence permit themselves. They could do it through the Norwegian embassy or consulate in their home country.

When you move to Norway, you should visit a local police station to receive a work permit card. The authorities will take your photo and fingerprints and issue you a work permit card.

3. Work visa

When authorities issue a work permit, you should apply for a Norway work visa. You have to do this part on your own;

A. Application form

First, you must complete the work visa application form. You could receive it from the Norway Immigration website or the Norway embassy in your home country. Please be cautious when you fill it out. The information you put in must be compatible with your documents. Concentrate on names. The dictation of your first and last name must be as your passport. The provided details in the application form must be the same as your documents. When the form is finished, print, date, and sign it.

B. Requirements

You also have to provide the required documents for a Norway work visa. They could vary according to the country you live in and your case. You can find the required documents for a Norway visa in the section below.

If you want to immigrate to Norway as a teacher, read this article.

C. Visa appointment

You must arrange a visa appointment with the Norwegian embassy in your home country. You could visit them, arranged by phone or through their website. Don’t forget the exact date and time. You have to get there in person. Don’t forget to bring the requirements.

D. At the Norway embassy

When the date for the meeting comes, get to the embassy. Please bring all the requirements. You should submit everything to the authorities. They might ask you to pass an interview. They will ask you questions about your history and the purpose of your visit. When you have a work permit, an interview is unlikely. You also have to pay the fee for visa processing. So bring enough money in cash or credit card to pay the application process fees.

E. Processing

Now you should wait until your visa gets processed. The processing time depends on various elements. When authorities issue the visa, they will send it to you. On a few occasions, you might have to pick it up from the embassy yourself. Once receive the visa, you can move to Sweden.

Infographic How to Get Norway Work Visa; all you need to know

What are the Requirements for Norway Work Visa?

The requirements for a Norway work visa are as follows:

Job offer

You must hold a valid job offer from a Norwegian employer. It must be:

Passport

The passport you provide for a work visa must be valid. It must not be older than ten years ago. Its validity must be over your work permit. If it’s about to expire, apply for a new one.

Application form

You can receive an application form from the Norway Immigration website. It is also possible to download it from the Norway embassy website in your home country. Complete it carefully, then print, date, and sign it.

CV or resume

Remember that the CV is different from the resume. Your resume reflects your history and work experience and the related experience you have in the field. But the CV explains why you are good for the job, he the Norway employer needs your expertise and what you can provide them.

Education Requirements

You have to provide one of the following certificates for your education:

  • Certificates achieved through work experience.
  • Educational degree achieved from a college/university.
  • Diploma/Certificate of vocational training for at least three years. It must be at the upper secondary school level.

If you want to immigrate to Norway as a software engineer, read this article.

Accommodation proof in Norway

In this part, your future employer could help you. You need to make it clear where you will stay when you get to Norway. You can provide a rental agreement or reserved hotel proof.

Receipt of paid fees for visa processing

When you pay the fee for application processing, keep the receipt or any other free you pay for it.

Photo

You have to provide two photos. They must be fresh, taken in the past three months. The background must be white and clear. The veil, hat, sunglasses, weird mustache or beard, etc. must not cover your head.

UDI’s checklist of documents

It’s the full list of requirements by your condition that you can receive from UDI.

Note

Please bear in mind that the Norway authorities could ask for more documents. It depends on you as an applicant and the country you apply from.

If you want to know how to immigrate to Norway as a pharmacist, read our article.

Norway work permit processing time

The processing time for a Norway work permit is different from that of a work visa. When the employer and employee agree on contract conditions, the employer applies for a work permit to the authorities inside the country. The processing time is different and could take more than one month.

Also, if the officials require further documents or are busy with the applications, it could take longer. So you would better send all the documents to the employer and ensure they are to the details.

When the employee receives the work visa and moves to the country, he/she needs to apply for a residence permit. The processing time is not long, and it doesn’t matter as the employee is inside the country and can move around.

The Processing time for a Norway Work visa

There are two processing times you should consider. First, you should wait for the Norway work permit. When the work permit is issued, you have to apply for a work visa and wait for its processing. The processing time for work permits could take from two weeks to two months. The required time for a work visa depends on the country you apply from. It often takes 4-5 weeks.

How to immigrate to Norway as a fashion designer? Read our article to know how.

Norway job seeker visa

There is no visa called a Norway job seeker visa, and people ask questions about it and think that Norway offers it like Germany because it has a job seeker visa that is very famous. Although there is no job seeker visa, you can apply for a Norway tourist visa and visit the country as a tourist, then look for jobs. Bear in mind that you can not work under the tourist visa, and you can not change it to a Norway work visa either.

The validity of a tourist visa is 90 days, but the authorities might grant you a visa valid for less time. The duration does not matter, and you can search for jobs. You could at least hold the face-to-face interviews during this time.

The other point to remember is that you can not apply for a Norway work visa while you reside in the country on a tourist visa. If you received a job offer and signed a contract, you should leave the country, and the employer should apply for a work permit. When the work permit is approved, you can apply for a visa to the Norwegian embassy in your home country.

How Long is the Norway Work visa Valid for?

The validity of a Norway work visa depends on the authority’s decision. It could be a 1-3 year work permit.

Skilled worker immigration to Norway

Norway is a developed country and demands highly skilled workers. Skilled worker immigration to Norway is possible if you are highly skilled and have the skills and abilities the Norwegian employer requires.

You need to have a good resume and enough work experience to convince the Norwegian employer to hire you. The websites and platforms to search for job positions are introduced in the section below.

If you want to know how to immigrate to Norway as a dentist, read our article.

Norway Work Visa Fees

The Norway work visa fee depends on the country you apply from. The Norwegian embassy might charge you more. However, the standard fee is about 5,400 NOK (589 USD).

Can I Extend a Norway Work visa?

Yes. You can extend your Norway work visa. It would be more helpful to apply for it about three months before the date of expiry. The processing time could take longer. The authorities might ask for some supporting documents. Preparing them could take some time. So, start the process as early as you can.

Can I Apply for Permanent Residence under a Norway Work permit?

You could apply for Permanent Residence under the work visa. Whether to receive it or not depends on the authorities’ decisions. They consider different elements. When you stay after a few years in Sweden, the authorities can guide you on requirements.

How can I get a work permit in Norway?

To apply for a Norway work permit, you need a job offer from an employer inside the country. When you find a job offer through online platforms such as LinkedIn or Indeed, the employer applies for the work permit on your behalf. When the authorities approve issuing a work permit to a foreigner, you can apply for a work visa in your home country.

Is it easy to get a work visa in Norway?

The answer to this question is not easy and depends on many factors. First, if you are a skilled worker and have the skills and abilities that Norwegian employers require, it would be easier to apply. You need to know that the employers and officials in Norway prefer to hire a person inside the country or in the EU. If there is a person with the same skill in another Eu country, the employer must recruit him/her by law. But if your skill is unique and rare to find, it could become easier.

The way to receive a Norway work visa is to receive a job offer. Then the other obstacles must be overcome one by one.

Also, you would better work on your case and improve the standards by providing supporting documents.

How can I get a job in Norway?

You can ask for help from an employment agency to find a job for you inside the country. If you have a friend or relative inside the country, he/she can find a job for you and introduce you to potential employers. Then comes the interview, which you must be prepared for by being fluent in the language.

You could also search through the internet and websites and platforms:

  • Arbeidsplassen.nav.no
  • Ec.europa.eu
  • Gulesider
  • Finn.no
  • Gulesider (a private recruitment agency)
  • Indeed Norway
  • Tinkerlist
  • Jobs in Oslo
  • The Local
  • Finn Jobs
  • Jobbnorge
  • Adecco
  • Career Builder
  • Jobbsafari
  • Career Builder
  • AngelList
  • CV Jobs Norway
  • Jobisland
  • Manpower
  • Learn4Good
  • Dittarbeid.
  • Jobbforalle
  • Nav.no

The above websites can help you find a job and begin moving to Norway.

Can I work in Norway without a visa?

The answer depends on your nationality. EU and EEA nationals do not need a visa to work in Norway, but they need a residence permit that is easy to get. But then, non-EU nationals need a visa and residence permit to work in Norway and any EU country.

However, there are some exceptions, and you may not need a visa or residence permit by your conditions. For instance, some employees of international companies may not need a visa and residence permit to work in Norway for up to three months.

Many employees could not need a visa and residence permit to work in Norway if they need to stay for up to 30 months. But all EU nationals need a residence permit, and all non-EU nationals need a visa besides a residence permit to work in Norway.

Which jobs are in demand in Norway?

The answer is up to your skills and abilities. In case you are highly skilled, and the Norwegian employers need you, you can get the job.

One way to see what jobs are in demand is to see the adverts on the websites that provide job opportunities. You can find a long list of these websites in the above section.

Prepare a good CV and cover letter and apply to them.

According to Prospects.ac.uk, which is  the UK’s biggest graduate careers website with more than two million browsers per month, most of the Norwegian economy is made of the services sector, and the major industries include:

agriculturemining
chemicalspaper products
fishingpetroleum and gas
food processingshipping
metalsTextiles

Some of the large companies in Norway are as follows:

  • Aker Solutions (design and engineering of technology for the oil and gas industry)
  • ExxonMobil
  • Norges Gruppen
  • Norsk Hydro (manufacture of aluminum products and renewable energy)
  • Orkla
  • Statoil, petroleum
  • Telenor Group
  • Total E&P Norge
  • Yara International (manufacture of agricultural products, particularly nitrogen-based fertilizers)

You can check the website of the above countries or follow them on social media or LinkedIn to see if they have any job vacancies or not.

The prospects indicate that Norway has a shortage in the following sectors, and you are likely to get a job in them:

Building and ConstructionIT
engineeringmanufacturing
healthcare and nursingtourism
hospitality

The following jobs are in demand in Norway:

NurseTeacherElectrician
DoctorHotel receptionistMechanic
PharmacistIT professionalMetalworker
Construction workerChefBus driver
HVAC EngineerWaiterHauler
Railway engineerPlumberFactory worker

As explained, you might be free to work in Norway for up to 90 days, and you can consider summer jobs. The following sectors attract employees and workers in summer:

agriculture and horticulturehospitality
fish processingtourism
forestry

The following items are the top self-employed jobs in Norway:

Uber driverdaycare/babysitting
tutoringweb design
freelance writingrepair work
virtual assistantcareer/life coaching
landscaping servicesvoice-over specialist
selling items online (e.g., eBay)resume writer
elder caregraphic design
pet walking/sittingcleaning services

How much is the salary in Norway?

There is nothing called a minimum salary officially in Norway. But the least payment is an agreement between economic sectors, and most of them do have an agreement to pay the least salary to workers.

For instance, the minimum salary in Norway for the year 2021 is 167 NOK (roughly 19.50 USD) for hospitality workers per hour. An IT Analyst gets about 60000 NOK per month.

The average salary in Norway is 612,000 NOK, the lowest is 155.000, and the highest is 2,730,000.

The average salary mentioned includes transport, housing, and other benefits. You need to know that salaries vary by a particular job and if you have a special skill or ability, ask the verified sources about the payment.

What is a skilled worker in Norway?

The person who is considered a skilled worker in  Norway is one who has a special skill that is rare to find. The people who have completed vocational training or have a higher education, or have special qualifications are also considered skilled workers in the country.

Work in Norway for non-EU citizens

The non-EU citizens who reside in Norway have a resilience permit to live in the country. In case they have a company or business of their own and want to hire a worker or employee, the same rules for nationals apply to them. The employer in Norway who wants to bring a non-EU employee to the country needs to apply for a work permit, and the authorities need to approve the work permit.

If the employer you have found in Norway is non-EU and you have figured it out, he/she needs to apply for a work permit on your behalf.

Work in Norway for EU citizens

Norway attracts investors and entrepreneurs from around the world, and it’s normal for EU nationals to move to the country. You might find an employer in Norway that is German or from another country.

The nationality of the employer residing in Norway does not matter. He/she has a residence permit to live in the country. The same rules for work permits apply to EU citizens.

If you want to work for an EU citizen that lives outside the country but you want to live in Norway, you need to apply for a Norway freelancer or self-employed visa.

Is Norway a working holiday visa different from a work visa?

Yes, a Norway work visa is completely different from a Norway working holiday visa. The nationals of a few countries are eligible to apply for a Norway working holiday visa, but everyone who finds a job offer can apply for a Norway work visa.

The maximum duration of a working holiday visa is one year, but the work visa is valid for longer up to three years. There is also an age limit to the working holiday, but that is not true for the work visa.

Let’s sum up…

In this blog, we explained everything about the Norway work visa.

We have covered who needs and does not need a work visa, requirements, the application process, and more.

You can find all the Norway visa information in the world here. To find out more about the visa that suits you, go through the menu on the site. You can find all the types of Norway visas at the left sidebar.

You can check Visa Library to find more information about other countries’ visas.

In case you have some experience, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let the readers choose better and avoid mistakes. Conveying your experiences as comments is a great help for applicants.

FAQs

Can non-EU nationals work in Norway?

Yes, if they get a job offer, that leads to a work permit.

Is it possible to work without a work visa?

No, not at all, and it leads to deportation or a prison sentence.

How should I get a job offer from Norway?

Search through the online websites introduced in the article.

Is it easy to get a job offer?

The market is highly competitive, but it’s up to your skills, resume, and language proficiency.

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.3 / 5. Vote count: 12

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

27 Comments

  1. Shia says:

    I am from Switzerland. Is it mandatory to apply for a job before applying for a work visa?

    • Support says:

      Hello there. Thanks for leaving a comment on our website. EU and EEA nationals may travel through the Schengen area without visas, so you may go to Norway and look for a job there.

  2. PAUL METCALFE says:

    I am a UK citizen but have a temporary job in Norway starting 5.9.21 lasting 5 weeks on a oil refinery what visa must i apply for ?

    • Visalibrary team says:

      Hello there. Thanks for leaving a comment on our website. To work in Norway, even for a short lapse, you need to apply for a Norway work visa. The first requirement is to have a job offer. Then you should demand a work permit. After your eligibility is checked, your work visa will be issued.

  3. Rajendra Chaudhary says:

    Is easy to get work permit in Norway for nepali Citizen ?

    • Visalibrary team says:

      Hello there. Thanks for leaving a comment on our website. Regardless of nationality, it will e easier to get a Norway work visa if you are a skilled worker. So we don’t think your nationality would stop you from receiving a visa.

    • Ugochukwu Nwaeze says:

      I was going through the checklist on the work permit application and a requirement says to bring a document if my work is “less than 80%”. What does that mean?

      • Visa Library says:

        Dear Ugochukwu Nwaeze
        Thank you for your question.
        We are truly sorry but we don’t have a part “less than 80%” on our website and please tell us where didi you see it or provide the full sentence so we can guide you better.
        Best regards

  4. Patricia Davies Hamelberg says:

    Hi , I am a Liberian. I want to travel to Norway, what are my best options cuz I want to work there.?

    • Visa Library says:

      Dear Patricia Davies Hamelberg
      If you want to work in Norway, you need to find an employer who is willing to hire you. You should look for a job on websites such as Indeed and LinkedIn to find a job according to your career. See if there are job opportunities there for you or not. When you find one, send a resume and whatever they need to get the offer. It is essential that the employer applies for a work permit for the foreign employer who wants to work in Norway. Working in Norway without a job offer and work permit is impossible.

  5. Sanya Bochoun says:

    Dear Visa Library
    Hello! I’m Sanya from Thailand and I am currently living in Norway with my Visitor Visa (90 days)
    I have a question. If I will get a job (Civil Engineering) Can I apply new Visa and Work Permit in Norway.
    Thank you

    • Visalibrary-team says:

      Dear Sanya Bochoun
      Thank you for your question.
      While you are in Norway, you can look for a job and sign a contract with an employer and use this opportunity very well.
      Whether the officials accept it to change your temporary visa to a work visa is up to them and is unlikely.
      If you want to avoid any trouble, sign the work contract then leave Norway and apply for a work visa from Thailand.
      If you want to ensure whether it will cause you any trouble, consult with a lawyer inside the country.
      Good luck.

  6. Netra Prasad Timsina says:

    I would Like to work in Norway.I am 46 Years Old and HR manager in Nepal. so Please tell me do i Have chances to get job over there?

    • Visalibrary-team says:

      Dear Netra Prasad Timsina
      Thank you for your question.
      Your chance is up to different factors. But the first step is to look for a job inside Norway and see if you can a job offer or not. You can try your chance by testing it as it’s only sending resumes and interviews.
      If you get the formal job offer and signed the contract, you can think of applying for a visa.
      Good luck with

  7. Gaby says:

    Hello! I would like to know if the processing time for a skilled work permit is still from two weeks to two months in 2022
    Thank you, hope you can help me

  8. Arslan says:

    could you please elaborate on the certificates achieved through work experience.
    actually I do not have 3 years diploma and I am looking for a job as a mechanic and I have more than 7 years experience. While working I have taken many technical training sessions and certificates, so can I apply for a work visa?

    • M-behroozi says:

      Hi, dear Arslan,
      The purpose of a certificate of work experience is to indicate time spent working in a particular field or profession. To prove the authenticity and meaning of professional experience listed on a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV), this document can be used.

  9. Raj says:

    Hi team,

    I have a dependent work permit from sweden. I have got a job in Norway, should I apply for Norway work permit? Also should I go back to india and apply for Norway work permit or I can apply in sweden

    Please advise best and fastest steps I can take

    • B Rajabali says:

      If you are not from the EU and do not have a passport from there of do not have PR, yes, you need a work permit to work in Norway. You can apply for a work permit from Sweden.

  10. rene de chavez says:

    Hello!!
    I have a question, I got already a working permit from a Norwegian employer. Do you think my working visa is will be approved? bcoz I am a high school graduate only and I don’t have any 3 years vocational course.
    Thank you very much and I will appreciate your answer.

    • B Rajabali says:

      Congratulations on taking the work permit. It’s unlikely that your visa will get refused but you should submit a complete list of supporting documents and be honest in your application. Double-check everything and ensure there is nothing wrong with them.
      Good luck.

  11. MD ALl. MRIDHA says:

    Farmer job clean job factory worker job. Apu Vikas walder walnl factory job ok Saudi Arab job Qatar job next job you country code free visa free ticket my job WhatsApp. +8801405982650. English talking problem I mean no student ok job ok

  12. Ken says:

    Hello Dear.
    I have question about the immigration consultant.
    Are legal.?they said they

    *Can process the work permit.?
    *Can they provide UID form?
    *Is accomodation and salary are states in the Work permit?
    Thank you

    • Oliver says:

      Who is legal? An immigration consultant that you work with? You should check his/her ID and certificate with the officials. We can not tell.
      A consultant can only prepare and submit your application.
      Work permit is permission to work, it’s unlikely salary and accommodation is included in it.

  13. Sajjad says:

    How to check Norway work permit Original or Duplicate? Please tell me.