Work permits in Norway: the 2026 rules
The main routes to a Norwegian work permit for non-EU/EEA citizens, the pay levels of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingsdirektoratet, UDI), how long UDI takes and who can come with you. Read this before you start your assessment.
Updated 30 October 2026
Key figures
Master's-level position
NOK 624,700
Minimum yearly pay before tax when the position requires a master's degree.
Bachelor's-level position
NOK 545,400
Minimum yearly pay before tax when the position requires a bachelor's degree.
UDI waiting time
Up to 45 days
Before UDI looks at a first skilled worker application (updated 29 October 2026).
Permit length
Up to 3 years
At a time for positions requiring higher education; up to 1 year for vocational-level positions.
The main routes
Skilled worker
For people with at least 3 years of upper secondary vocational training, a trade certificate, a university or university college degree, or special qualifications, and a concrete job offer from a Norwegian employer. The permit applies to a type of work and can lead to permanent residence after 3 years.
Seasonal worker
For full-time work that can only be done at a particular time of year, for example in agriculture, forestry, fish processing, restaurants or tourism, for at most 6 months in any 12. Outside agriculture and forestry the employer needs confirmation from NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) that enough workers cannot be found in Norway or the EEA. Family members cannot come with you.
Self-employed person
For skilled people who will live in Norway and run their own sole proprietorship there (not a limited company), with an expected profit of at least NOK 341,373 a year before tax. The permit is granted for 1 year at a time.
Job seeker
Skilled workers who do not need a visa can apply for up to 6 months to look for skilled work, without the right to work in that period. After completing education or research in Norway you can apply for up to 1 year and work in any job while you search. Neither period counts towards permanent residence.
Assignments for a foreign company
Employees of a foreign company with an assignment for a business in Norway, and self-employed contractors with a company abroad, can be granted 2 years at a time and up to 6 years in total. The business in Norway cannot be a staffing company, and the time does not count towards permanent residence.
General requirements for skilled workers
- A concrete offer of employment from a Norwegian employer, normally on UDI's offer of employment form, signed by you and the employer.
- Qualifications the position requires: at least 3 years of upper secondary vocational training with a Norwegian equivalent, a trade certificate, a degree, or special qualifications from long experience (normally at least 6 years).
- A full-time position: UDI accepts at least 80%.
- Pay and working conditions that are not worse than normal in Norway, and at least the collective agreement wage where one applies.
- Norwegian approval or authorisation where the profession is regulated, for example for nurses, doctors and electricians.
- If you apply from abroad on your own, the employer's confirmation of the job offer to UDI (a four-word code you enter in the application).
Processing times
Skilled worker, first application
It can take up to 1.5 months (45 days) before UDI looks at the case.
Vocational-level jobs, applicants from 14 listed countries
For jobs such as chef, car mechanic, carpenter, painter, bricklayer or hairdresser with applicants from Albania, Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye or Vietnam, UDI aims to finish by the end of 2026, but it can take longer.
Seasonal worker
Up to 4 months before UDI looks at the case when the police forward it to UDI.
Self-employed with a company in Norway
Up to 2 months for a first application.
Appeal (skilled worker)
About 4 months before UDI changes its decision or sends the appeal to the Immigration Appeals Board (Utlendingsnemnda, UNE).
UDI's waiting times as updated on 29 October 2026 (next update 26 November 2026). You may not start work before the permit is granted, unless the police have confirmed an early employment start.
Recent changes
- On 28 October 2026 the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion sent proposed changes to the work immigration rules in the Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften) out for consultation, aimed at less misuse and faster processing. The deadline is 22 January 2027, and the current rules still apply.
- UDI announced on 19 February 2026 that when you apply from abroad on your own, your employer must first confirm the job offer to UDI and give you a four-word code to enter in the application.
- Statutory minimum pay from generalised collective agreements applies in nine sectors, including construction, cleaning, electrical work and, since 15 June 2026, the car industry. The minimum wage regulation for fish processing was repealed on 3 August 2026.
- UDI publishes no fast-track or employer pre-approval scheme, and its work permit categories include no EU Blue Card.
- Since 1 September 2025, permanent residence requires a passed oral Norwegian test at level A2 or higher and a social studies test (with transitional rules), and all requirements except own income must still be met when the decision is made.
Your family
Your spouse, registered partner or cohabitant and your children under 18 can apply for family immigration, and your employer can apply for them with their written authorisation. As a skilled worker you need a future income of at least NOK 436,957 a year before tax (from 1 May 2026), but no income last year. The 24-year rule can apply if you married after you moved to Norway. Applications submitted together with yours are decided together; otherwise it can take up to 4 months before UDI looks at a first application. Family members aged 18 or over with a family immigration permit can work in Norway.
Read more
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