How to Work and Immigrate to Norway as a Foreign Doctor?

Are Doctors in Demand in Norway?

Yes, doctors are in demand in rural and remote Norway. Although demand varies by medical specialty and location, doctors are needed. Demand for specialties varies. To maintain its high-quality services, Norway’s healthcare system requires skilled doctors.

How to immigrate to Norway as a doctor?

To work as a doctor in Norway, you must go through several steps and meet various requirements. Here’s a general overview of the process for foreign doctors in Norway:

1. Medical qualification recognition
2. Learn the language
3. Apply for authorization and license
4. Do a job search
5. Secure a work permit
6. Apply for a residence permit
7. Integrate into the Norwegian healthcare system
8. Consider continuous education

Step 1. Medical Qualification Recognition

To start working as a doctor in Norway, you usually have to apply to the Norwegian Directorate of Health. Here’s how it works:

1. You must contact the Norwegian Directorate of Health (Helsedirektoratet) to recognize your medical qualifications.
2. You must gather the requirements to immigrate to Norway as a doctor.
   1. You’ve got to send your diploma and transcripts.
   2. Translate your documents if they’re not in English or Nordic.
   3. You’ll need a copy of your passport.
3. The Directorate will evaluate your qualifications for Norwegian standards. This assessment evaluates your medical education, clinical training, and length.
4. You may need to take additional exams depending on your country of education and medical degree to check your medical knowledge or practical skills.
5. Your country’s medical regulatory authority may require proof of good standing.
6. Although not directly related to your medical degree, Norwegian language proficiency is essential for practicing medicine in Norway.

Note:

The Norway doctor immigration process can take months, so plan ahead and submit your application well before moving to Norway. Also, be aware that application and assessment fees may apply.

Step 2. Learn the Language

To immigrate to Norway as a doctor, You’ll have to prove your fluency in the language by taking and passing an exam. The minimum required CEFR level is generally B2. The language tests are:

• Bergenstesten (Test i norsk – høyere nivå). It evaluates your understanding, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Norwegian.
• Norskprøven (The Norwegian Language Test). It measures listening, reading, oral, and written presentation skills.

Step 3. Apply for Authorization and License

When your credentials are recognized, you need to apply to the Norwegian Directorate of Health for authorization and a license. But how to get a medical license in Norway? Here’s how it works:

1. Submission of Application. Apply for authorization and a license to practice as a doctor in Norway. This application includes personal information, education, and relevant professional experience.
2. Documentation Requirements. Medical degrees, specialist training, work experience certificates, and other qualifications, medical board or equivalent good standing certificates are all required.
3. Assessment of Professional Competence. The Directorate verifies that your qualifications (education, training, and professional experience) meet Norwegian standards and that you can practice medicine in Norway.
4. Review and Decision. The Directorate reviews each submission before a decision is made. Depending on the application, it can take a while.
5. Issuance of Authorization and License. When issued, get your license and immigrate to Norway as a doctor and practice medicine.

Note:

Authorization and license issuance may cost money. Certain licenses require renewal and proof of professional development.

Step 4. Job Search

How to work as a doctor in Norway? You will first need to find one of the jobs for foreign doctors in Norway. Here are some different ways to find doctor jobs in Norway:

• Find healthcare jobs on Finn.no, NAV.no, and Jobbnorge.no.
• Healthcare recruitment agencies like Dignus Medical and Medrecruit are good places to start.
• Visit the websites of hospitals and healthcare institutions and apply directly.
• Join Norwegian healthcare professional groups on platforms like LinkedIn.

Step 5. Secure a Work Permit

If you are from outside the EU/EEA, you’ll need a work permit to immigrate to Norway as a doctor. Your Norwegian employer often needs to provide documentation verifying the job offer and outlining the specifics of the position, salary, and working conditions.

Here’s how you can get a work permit:

1. You can apply for a work visa once you have a job offer in hand. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the usual place to apply. In most cases, you can submit the application online. It will require your personal information, the specifics of the job offer, and your credentials.
2. Include your passport, the letter of job offer, evidence of your qualifications, and any other paperwork required by UDI with your application.
3. The work permit is typically granted for the duration of your employment contract.
4. If you keep meeting the requirements, you can renew your work permit. You can apply for permanent residency depending on how long you’ve lived and worked in Norway.

Step 6. Apply for a Residence Permit

To immigrate to Norway as a doctor, you’ll need a residence permit, especially for non-EU/EEA nationals. You can get it along with your work permit.

Apply, along with your work permit, to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). You can do it online through the UDI website. Then, you need to Submit your documents, including your passport and ID, your application form, Your job offer and terms of employment, your professional qualifications (medical degree and license), and other possible documents as specified by UDI.

Biometric information like a photo, fingerprints, and a signature are needed. This can be done at either the police station in your area or the Norwegian embassy or consulate.

If your application is accepted, you can obtain a residence permit in Norway. In most cases, the validity of the permit will be extended for the duration of your employment.

Step 7. Integrate into the Norwegian Healthcare System

Here are some tips to help you settle in and integrate:

• Learn about the Norwegian healthcare system, patient rights, healthcare services, and administrative procedures.
• You may need additional training or orientation to adapt to Norwegian medical practices and regulations.
• Norway requires a local bank account for financial management. Popular banks include DNB, Nordea, and SpareBank 1. Opening an account requires your Norwegian ID and proof of employment.
• Housing websites like Finn.no, Hybel.no, and Zillow are popular in Norway. These platforms offer many rental options and can help you find somewhere to stay.
• Successful integration requires embracing Norwegian culture, customs, public behavior, and lifestyle.
• Participating in local and professional networks and joining local clubs, groups, or associations related to your interests or career can help you meet new people and build a support network.
• Norway has a large bus, train, and ferry network, so learn your local system.
• Know nearby hospitals and clinics’ emergency numbers and locations.

Step 8. Consider Continuous Education

Staying up-to-date with healthcare developments is essential for medical professionals in Norway. Join local medical associations, take relevant educational programs, and sign up for online courses and webinars to do this. Participate in hospital training programs and research and collaborate with peers to stay informed and proficient.

What is the Norway Medical License Exam?

The Norway medical license exam for doctors is called “LIS1-prven.” Foreign-trained doctors must pass it to work in Norway. It’s a test of medical knowledge and technique that’s calibrated to Norwegian criteria. The test is typically given in Norwegian and covers a wide range of topics, including clinical medicine and surgery. Self-study and specialized courses are common forms of preparation.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health is where you can learn more about the application process and the times and locations of relevant exams. To immigrate to Norway as a doctor, you must first pass this exam.

Doctor Jobs in Norway

Here’s a list of the top 15 jobs for doctors in Norway:

• General Practitioner (GP)
• Specialist in Internal Medicine
• Surgeon
• Psychiatrist
• Pediatrician
• Anesthesiologist
• Radiologist
• Neurologist
• Cardiologist
• Oncologist
• Gynecologist
• Orthopedic Surgeon
• Emergency Medicine Doctor
• Dermatologist
• Ophthalmologist

How to Become a Doctor in Norway?

Getting a student visa is crucial if you’re an international student studying medicine in Norway. Here’s how to be a doctor in Norway:

1. Complete Secondary Education. Grades are important since medical school admissions are competitive. Boost your science scores by excelling in biology, chemistry, and physics.
2. University Entrance. You must find out what universities in Norway offer medical programs. Prepare for any exams or assessments you might need to take. Then, send your application to universities, usually through a centralized system.
3. Student Visa Application (for International Students). Find out if a Norwegian university will accept you. You must be able to show that you’ve got the money to pay for your tuition (if applicable) and living expenses while you’re in Norway. Make sure you have Norwegian health insurance. You can apply for a student visa or residence permit on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website or at your nearest Norwegian embassy/consulate. Make sure you have accommodation, as proof of residence may be required.
4. Medical Degree Program. You’ll learn both theory and practice in a six-year medical program (cand.med. ). First, you’ll learn basic medical sciences. Then, you’ll get clinical training. You might be able to enrich your medical education with exchange programs or electives at some universities.
5. Internship (Turnustjeneste). It’s an 18-month clinical training program. Often, internships are distributed through a national system, and you can rotate between hospitals and general practices. Internships are important for gaining experience and skills.
6. License to Practice (Autorisasjon). After your internship, apply for a medical license at the Norwegian Directorate of Health. You may have to submit documentation and exams depending on your education and internship. Norway requires a license to practice medicine.
7. Specialization (Optional). Medical specialization in Norway for foreigners is important. Specialize in something that interests you, like general practice, surgery, or pediatrics. Typically, specialization training lasts 5 to 6 years. Sometimes, you’ll be working in a hospital or doing research.
8. Continuous Education. Make sure you’re learning and growing. Keep up with medical advancements by attending workshops, conferences, and additional training. You might have to take some continuing education to keep your license.

Medical Residency in Norway for Foreigners

Foreigners can apply for medical residency in Norway if they are:

• Medical graduates who want to practice in Norway.
• Medical Professionals looking to advance their careers in Norway.
• Doctors who don’t speak Norwegian but want to learn it to work in the country.
• Doctors are trying to specialize in a certain field through Norwegian residency.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health must recognize your foreign medical degree before you can apply for a residency in Norway. Norwegian proficiency, usually B2, is required. The residency application process is competitive and involves hospital or health institution employment. The residency requires 5-6 years of specialized training. You must apply for a Norwegian medical license to practice independently after graduation. All doctors in the country must continue their education, and work conditions are regulated.

How Much Does a Doctor Make in Norway?

Being a doctor in Norway comes with different factors affecting the salary. Here is a general overview of Norway doctor salary:

• Starting Salary for New Graduates. Newly graduated doctors can expect a lower salary ranging from 500,000 to 600,000 Norwegian Krone (NOK) per year.
• General Practitioners (GPs). An average general practitioner earns between 800,000 and 1,200,000 NOK per year.
• Specialized Doctors. Specialists earn from approximately 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 NOK or more annually.
• Consultants and Senior Doctors. Doctors with several years of experience can earn 2,000,000 NOK annually or more.

Immigrate to Norway as a Doctor: Let’s Recap

You learned how to immigrate and work in Norway as a doctor through this Visa Library article. It provided the requirements, eligibility principles, and procedure and answered many of your FAQs.

If you have questions about the process or any other area, write them in the comment section. The Visa Library team will answer them. You can learn about immigration to other countries for your job through other pages of this site. Just go through the jobs menu, and you will find so many useful articles.

FAQs

How to be a doctor in Norway from India?

Your medical education should be completed in India, your degree should be recognized in Norway, and you should know Norwegian well enough to pass the Norwegian medical licensing exam.

How to work as a foreign doctor in Norway?

Demonstrate Norwegian proficiency, pass the Norwegian medical licensing exam, and get your medical degree recognized.

Does Norway pay doctors well?

Norway pays its doctors well, though salaries vary based on experience, specialization, and location.

Is it possible to get a job in Norway as a foreigner?

The Norwegian job market is open to foreigners, but they need to have specific skills, language proficiency, and sometimes local qualifications.

Can a Filipino doctor work in Norway?

Meet the Norwegian language requirement, pass the licensing exam, and get your medical degree recognized.

How long is medical residency in Norway?

Depending on the specialty, Norwegian medical residency lasts five to six years.

Do doctors speak English in Norway?

Norwegian is the language doctors must speak to practice medicine.

How many hours do doctors work in Norway?

Most work 37-40 hours a week, with some specialties or roles needing more hours.

Is Norway’s healthcare better than the US’s?

Accessibility and public funding for Norwegian healthcare are highly rated, often better than in the US.

Are doctors free in Norway?

Norway is mostly tax-funded, so healthcare services, like doctors, are mostly free.

How many foreign doctors are there in Norway?

In Norway, foreign-trained doctors are common, particularly in rural areas and certain specialties.

How do I get into medicine in Norway?

You’ll need a high school diploma and Norwegian proficiency to get a six-year medical degree in Norway.

How much do medical residents make in Norway?

The average resident doctor in Norway makes between 500,000 and 600,000 NOK a year.

Can I work in Norway after MBBS?

Your MBBS degree needs to be recognized in Norway, you need to meet the language requirements, and you need to get a license.

How to Immigrate to Norway as a doctor from the UK?

You’ll need a Norwegian medical license if your UK degree is recognized in Norway.

How to immigrate to Norway as a doctor from India?

Your medical education should be finished in India, your degree should be recognized in Norway, and your Norwegian language skills should be sufficient for you to pass the Norwegian medical licensing exam.

Is there a demand for Pakistani doctors in Norway?

Especially in underserved areas, there’s a great need, but Pakistani medical degrees need to be recognized, licensing exams need to be passed, and language skills are essential.

What is the medical specialization in Norway for foreigners?

Get your medical degree, do your internship, and then do your residency in a specialty for 5-6 years. Norwegian language proficiency and foreign degrees need to be recognized.