Work Employment Visa In Norway: Explained

Navigating Norway’s employment visa landscape?

In this article, we will decode the Norse enigma for expats!

With engaging wit and clear insights, we shed light on the labyrinthine processes, making your journey to employment in Norway a breeze.

Let’s dive in!

What Are The Different Types Of Work Visas In Norway?

One needs to apply for a Residence Permit for Work through which one is allowed to work and live in Norway. Thus, one can do this by having a confirmed job in Norway that clears all the requirements for employment.

The requirements for different jobs are different, but the basic requirements include having a relevant university degree and work experience. So, one needs to be aware of which work visa one should apply for, depending on the nature of the job one has acquired.

Different Types Of Work Visas In Norway

There are different types of work visas for Norway. One needs to be aware of all these types so one can choose the right one according to the job one has intended to do. 

All the essential information about different Norwegian work visas has been given below:

Norway Seasonal Work Visa

Suppose one has received a job offer, which is short-term or just seasonal work, and has also received authorization from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). In that case, one must apply for Norway Seasonal Work Visa. 

One can also apply for this visa if one has been offered a job offer temporarily or when one is allowed to work as a substitute for a permanent worker. 

Norway Job-Seeker Visa

The Norway Job-Seeker Visa is for those looking for a job in Norway without a valid job offer. 

Usually, this visa is issued to those who have completed their studies in Norway and need more time to secure a job offer.

Vocational Training And Research Visa

If one wants to acquire funding for research purposes or employment that furthers their research, they would need to apply for the Vocational Training and Research Visa.

Usually, students of MPhils or Ph.D.s apply for this visa. They do this if they have yet to be employed by anyone in Norway or want to take training during their studies. 

Norway Working Holiday Visa

The Norway Working Holiday visa is issued to the citizens of specific countries, which are:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • New Zealand

Young Adults under the age of 31 who are also nationals of the countries mentioned above are allowed to stay and work in Norway for almost one year through the Norway Working Holiday Visa.

Norway Work Visa For Artists

This specific visa is issued for a maximum of two weeks or 14 days for artists or performers who plan short-term activities in Norway. 

It includes any concerts they want to perform or art exhibitions they want to display.

Who Needs A Norway Employment Visa?

Norway issues the work visa according to the nationalities and the type of work one does. As Norway is also a part of Europe, the rules for issuance of work visas for EU and EEA nationals are lax. 

Issuance Of Norwegian Work Visa To EU/EEA Nationals:

Most of the nationals of EU and EEA countries are allowed to work and live in Norway without any hassles after securing a job. Most of the time, obtaining a resident permit in Norway is optional.

However, they have to register with the police with their employment contracts and employment certificates, at maximum, after 3 months of staying in Norway. 

If the workers have either of the following citizenships, then they do not even need to report to the police station in Norway but inform the National Registry:

  • Sweden
  • Danish
  • Finish
  • Icelandic Citizens 

If the EU/EEA nationals want to move to Norway but have yet to secure an employment contract, they will need to register as a job seeker and be allowed to stay in Norway for at least 6 months to look for a job.

If they cannot confirm a job during the 6 months, they would have to leave Norway, but they can quickly come back and begin the process again. 

Issuance Of Norwegian Work Visa To Non-EU/EEA Nationals

For a non-EU/EEA resident who has confirmed a job in Norway and has also started to work in Norway after acquiring the work permit, one would need to renew the resident work every 3 months.

One can apply for a resident work permit through the employer or by themselves by submitting the offer of employment. Non-EU/EEA citizens cannot work without a resident work permit. 

However, some professionals who need to work in Norway for less than 3 months might not need it. A resident work permits. Some of these professionals have been listed below:

  • Some Teachers, researchers, and lecturers.
  • International companies’ workers
  • Doctors and other medical professionals
  • Some religious preachers
  • Professional athletes and their teams
  • Some photographers and journalists from international media houses
  • International aircraft employees 
  • Security and care-keeping staff on foreign-owned ships stopping in Norway.
  • Tour guides 

Requirements For Eligibility For Applying For A Norway Work Visa

The following conditions should be met before applying for a work visa in Norway:

  • Qualifications: One needs to have a higher educational degree or vocational training relevant to the applied job.
  • Confirmation Of A Job: The job needs to be full-time, and a contract of employment needs to be presented at the time of applying for the resident work permit.
  • Pay Of The Job: The pay of the job needs to be at least equal to or more than the average wage of Norwegian citizens.
  • Age: The worker seeking a resident work permit in Norway should be above 18.
  • No Criminal Record: One should have no past criminal prosecutions or records.

Documents Required For Applying For Norwegian Work Visa

There are different documents that one needs to submit for different visas. After one has carefully selected which Norwegian work visa one needs to apply for, one needs to submit the following documents with the application for the visa: 

Passport

One would need a valid and unexpired passport to prove one’s identity and citizenship. Also, besides the original passport, one would need to showcase copies of all the used pages on the passport.

Norway Work Visa Application Form

After filling out the online registration form, one can download the application form for Norway Work Visa from the website. 

One would need to print it first, then fill it out, and attach all the required documents before submitting. 

Photographs

One needs to attach recently taken pictures with a transparent white background on the application form for a Norwegian work visa. Also, submit two extra copies of the photographs.

Proof Of Residence 

One must present proof that one has a legal accommodation in Norway. It can be a letter from the landlord showing that he has leased his property to you for residence or show a rental contract. 

If one does not have a residence in Norway, one must write a letter giving a valid reason for not acquiring legal residence. 

Also, one would need to showcase how one can find a proper living abode and the arrangements one plans to make. 

If a person is applying for a work visa in Norway, then one needs to show proof of living in Norway legally. 

If one has to apply for a work visa in Norway from another place than the home country, then one would again need to present proof of having a legal residence in Norway and also show a valid resident permit for at least 6 months.

Employment Contract

One also needs to present proof of employment in the form of an employment contract or a valid offer of employment. 

Salary Slip

The salary of the person applying for the work visa in Norway must be equal to or more than the average salary of Norwegian citizens. One would need to attach proof of that salary. 

Also, it will be verified if the income stated in the application form meets the income one receives.

Academic Qualifications Documents

One would need to attach the attested degrees of higher education or vocational training in the visa application form to present the proof of academic qualification.

Resume And Proof Of Previous Work Experiences

One’s resume, all the letters of recommendation, and certifications from previous employment need to be attached to show the work one has done.

One’s resume will also show the duration of employment and one’s qualifications. 

Further Documentations

Any supplementary documents may be required by one’s peculiar circumstances. Some of such situations are given below as an explanation:

  • If one has to work for more than one employer.
  • If one does not have a regular employment contract.

Things To Remember Before Gathering Documents For The Norwegian Work Visa

One needs to make sure that all the documents are original; one will also need copies. If one makes copies earlier on, it will save a lot of time for the applicant later on. 

If one is applying for a work permit through an employer, one only needs to attach copies of the documents and keep the original one with oneself. 

Also, if the language of the documents is neither English nor Norwegian, then one needs to get the documents translated and notarized before attaching them to the application form. 

One must verify these points before gathering the documents and submitting the visa application form.

Procedure To Apply For A Norwegian Work Visa

In Norway, the procedures for applying for a work visa differ as one can apply through oneself or by an employer. But the basic steps remain the same. So, to apply for the Norwegian work visa, one needs to follow the following procedural steps:

Establish Eligibility

First, one must ensure that one is eligible to apply for a work visa in Norway. The eligibility can be determined by the job contract, verifying the age, educational qualifications, past work experiences, and also the criminal record.

When all the criteria mentioned above follow the visa instructions, one can easily determine whether one is eligible for a work visa in Norway.

Get A Job Offer

Getting a job offer for a permanent post is the most essential step in applying for a work visa. One must also show a work contract or a valid job offer in the work visa application form.

Register Online

After determining the eligibility and acquiring a job, start the application process for a work visa. The first step will be to register oneself online at the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

After one has completed the online registration, one can download the application form for Work Visa in Norway.

Gather Required Documents

One needs to gather all the required documents in the application form online for the work visa. One should be truly careful about this step as one can get their visa rejected if one fails to attach all the required documents with the application form.

The checklist of all the documents is on the website; one should double-check the checklist before submitting the documents.

Acquire Health Insurance

All applicants applying for a Work visa or resident work permit must also acquire the Norway Health Insurance, which should be valid during their stay in Norway.

Submit Visa Application Form

Once one has confirmed a job offer in Norway and gathered all the required documents, one must submit the Work Visa application form. Then, one has a choice to either of the following options:

  • Submit the filled application form in person with the required documents at the Norway Embassy or Consulate or a Visa Application Center.
  • If one is already in Norway, then one can directly submit the documents in Norway.
  • One can also send the documents to one’s employer, who can then apply on one’s behalf from Norway.

Biometrics And Interview

If the work visa applicant is a Non-EU or Non-EEA national, one might have to undergo the process of giving biometrics and interviews during the visa application process. 

Paying The Application Fee

The application fee for a Norwegian Work Visa is 6,300 NOK, which amounts to 690 USD. One can pay the fee through a credit or debit card and complete the online application.

However, if one has to apply through the visa application center in person, one might have to bear an extra service fee.

Processing Time

Once the Work Visa application has been completed and submitted, one will have to wait for the processing time, which can be up to 8 weeks. 

The processing time is significant as one can only start work if the application is approved, so if one is already in Norway and the application for the work permit has yet to be processed, one can start work when it is processed. 

Getting Approved

One’s application usually gets approved when all the requirements have been fulfilled. Also, the expected tasks one needs to undertake in one’s employment must match the tasks mentioned on the application form for approval. 

One’s agency where one would work should also be registered in the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority’s register for one’s applications to be approved.

Travel To Norway

One can also apply for a Norwegian entry visa if one wants to submit the applications in Norway by hand. The entry visa also does not allow one to work as it is a short-term visa but allows one to go to Norway. 

After the work visa applications have been approved and one reaches Norway to work, one must register with the local police to get one’s residence permit card. One can make an appointment with the police online through the UDI visa application portal. 

It will save time and help one register with the police before the deadline.

Register With Police

The process of registering with the police includes: 

  • Making an online appointment at the UDI application portal.
  • Submitting the completed applications and required documents to the Residence Permit and Protection Services of the Norwegian police or a Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA).

The police or SUA will approve or forward the application to the Directorate of Immigration of Norway, allowing one the residence permit card. After accessing this card, one can finally start work.

Validity Of A Norway Work Visa

The validity of the Norway Work Visa is two years. After two years, the work permit visa expires; thus, if one wants to work for longer, one would have to renew the visa. 

The work visa can be renewed for a further two years. Through the online website of UDI, the renewal process becomes a lot easier. 

If a person has stayed in Norway for three consecutive years, one can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit and live in Norway for as long as one wants to.

However, the duration of the validity of the permanent residence permit depends on one’s job and the amount of taxes one has paid. One must also apply for a new residence work permit if one changes one’s job.

If a person loses the job, one is allowed to stay in Norway for 6 months to look for the job and get a new one. But during this time, one needs to have a valid residence permit. 

So, one should always be careful to renew the residence work permit before expiration.

Renewing A Norway Work Visa Or Residence Work Permit

The renewal process of a Norwegian Work Visa is relatively easy compared to applying for the visa for the very first time. One can apply online through the Online Directorate of Immigration (UDI) application portal. 

The next step will be to book an appointment with the Norwegian police and submit the required documents. One can also pay a fee for renewal online, which amounts to 6,300 NOK

One needs to be cautious of the time frame when one applies for the renewal. It is preferred to apply at least 3 to 1 month before the visa expires, as there is a processing time that might get delayed. 

To avoid any hassles, one should start the application process earlier so that one would be allowed to stay in Norway during the processing time of the work visa renewal.

Conclusion

You’ve charted the Norwegian employment visa waters and, with a touch of Norse wit and a dash of clarity from NorwaySolved.com, the voyage seems less daunting.

Keep unraveling the mysteries of expat life in Norway with us—your journey has only just begun!

Happy Applying!

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