Job Seeker Permit for Skilled Workers
Time in Norway to find skilled work: up to six months if you have skilled qualifications and do not need a visa, or up to one year after completing education or research in Norway.
Two ways to look for skilled work in Norway
Norway has no list of shortage occupations. Instead, people with skilled-worker qualifications can get a residence permit to look for work as a skilled worker. When you find a job, you apply for a skilled worker permit, which requires a concrete job offer. UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) decides both applications.
There are two job seeker permits. Skilled workers who do not need a visa to visit Norway can get up to six months under the Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften) § 6-29 a. People who complete education or research in Norway can get up to one year and may work while they search. Neither permit counts towards permanent residence. EU/EEA citizens do not need a permit: under the EEA rules, job seekers must report to the police (Politiet) no later than three months after arrival.
Funds (2026): you need at least NOK 28,448 a month of your own money for the period you apply for (NOK 341,373 for a full year), normally in a Norwegian bank account.
Who can apply
You must have skilled-worker qualifications: vocational training of at least three years at upper secondary level, a degree from a university or university college, or special qualifications. You can apply if you are:
- A skilled worker who does not need a visa: A citizen of a country whose citizens do not need a visa to visit Norway. Permit for up to six months.
- A student finishing in Norway: A holder of a student or pupil permit who completes education in Norway that gives skilled-worker qualifications, such as a degree or a vocational programme of at least three years at upper secondary level.
- In supplementary education: A holder of a permit for supplementary education, taken to get their education approved in Norway.
- A researcher with own funds: A researcher whose permit as a researcher with own funds is ending.
- A researcher on a skilled worker permit: A skilled worker permit holder who has worked as a researcher, for example as a doctoral candidate.
- Looking for skilled work: The purpose of both permits is to find work as a skilled worker.
The two job seeker permits compared
Visa-free skilled job seeker
- For skilled workers who do not need a visa to visit Norway.
- Up to six months. If you apply after entering Norway, the period runs from the date of entry, and you must apply within three months of entry.
- Own funds of at least NOK 28,448 a month (2026).
- No work until a skilled worker permit is granted.
- Family members cannot get family immigration with you.
- A new permit only after one year outside Norway.
- Does not count towards permanent residence.
Job seeker after education or research in Norway
- For graduates, people in supplementary education and researchers whose permit is ending.
- Up to one year. Apply at least one month before your current permit expires.
- Own funds of NOK 28,448 a month, or NOK 341,373 for a year (2026). Income from a relevant job offer can count.
- You may work in any job, full-time or part-time, while you search, but not as self-employed.
- Family members who already hold a family immigration permit and live with you can apply to renew it.
- Does not count towards permanent residence.
Application steps
- 1
Check your qualifications
Confirm that your education or experience is at skilled-worker level, and collect diplomas, transcripts or detailed work certificates.
- 2
Choose the right permit
Visa-free skilled workers apply for up to six months. Graduates and researchers whose permit in Norway is ending apply for up to one year.
- 3
Document your funds
Show your own funds for the period, normally in a Norwegian bank account. Graduates and researchers can also document income from a relevant job offer.
- 4
Apply online in time
Register the application on UDI's website and pay the fee shown there. Visa-free applicants already in Norway must apply within three months of entry, and graduates at least one month before their permit expires.
- 5
Appointment
Book an appointment from the receipt page: in Norway with the police or a Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA), abroad at an embassy, a consulate or a VFS application centre.
- 6
Search for skilled work
Visa-free job seekers may not work while they search. Graduates and researchers may take any job, full-time or part-time.
- 7
Job offer
When you get a concrete job offer, apply for a skilled worker permit. If your visa-free job seeker application is still pending, it can be converted to a skilled worker application.
Key time limits
Visa-free skilled job seeker
Up to 6 months
Applying after entry (visa-free)
Within 3 months of entry; the period runs from the date of entry
After education or research in Norway
Up to 1 year
Graduates and researchers: when to apply
At least 1 month before your current permit expires
New visa-free job seeker permit
Only after 1 year outside Norway
Key requirements
- Skilled-worker qualifications: The same qualification level as for the skilled worker permit (utlendingsforskriften § 6-1 first paragraph).
- Looking for skilled work: The purpose of the stay must be to find work as a skilled worker.
- Own funds: At least NOK 28,448 a month (2026). The money must be your own, and UDI usually requires it in a Norwegian bank account.
- No visa requirement: For the six-month permit, you must be a citizen of a country whose citizens do not need a visa to visit Norway.
- A permit that is ending: For the one-year permit, you must hold a student or pupil permit, a permit for supplementary education, a permit as a researcher with own funds, or a skilled worker permit as a researcher, and apply before it expires.
- Applying in time: Within three months of entry for visa-free applicants in Norway, and at least one month before the current permit expires for graduates and researchers.
Work while you search
- Visa-free job seekers: You may not work during the job seeking period. Work can start only after a skilled worker permit is granted.
- Remote work counts as work: Remote work done in Norway also needs a permit that gives the right to work, so it is not allowed on the six-month permit.
- Graduates and researchers: You may work in any job, full-time or part-time, also in unskilled jobs, while you look for skilled work.
- No self-employment: Running your own business is not allowed on a job seeker permit. Self-employment in Norway needs a separate self-employed permit.
- Converting your application: If you get a job offer while your visa-free job seeker application is pending, the application can be converted to a skilled worker application.
From job seeker to skilled worker
When you find a job, the employer makes a concrete offer, normally on UDI's offer of employment form, and you apply for a skilled worker permit. The position must require your qualification, it must normally be full-time (UDI accepts at least 80%), and your pay and working conditions must not be worse than normal in Norway. For positions that require a master's degree, UDI requires at least NOK 624,700 a year before tax, and for a bachelor's degree at least NOK 545,400 (2026).
Time on a job seeker permit does not count towards permanent residence. With a skilled worker permit, you can apply for permanent residence after three years. Our Skilled Worker and Permanent Residence pages explain the next steps.
Funds: what UDI looks for
- Amount: At least NOK 28,448 a month for the period you apply for, which is NOK 341,373 for a full year (2026).
- Your own money: The funds must be your own, and UDI usually requires them in a Norwegian bank account.
- Job offer income: Graduates and researchers can count income from a relevant job offer.
- Former doctoral candidates: If you worked as a doctoral candidate on a skilled worker permit, you need only NOK 85,344, whatever the length of the permit.
- Check the current amount: The amounts can change. Check the figure on udi.no before you apply.
Common challenges with job seeker applications
- Qualification level: Your qualification must be at skilled-worker level. Applying on experience alone normally needs at least six years of documented work experience, and many such applications are rejected.
- Funds: Funds that are not your own, or that do not cover the whole period, may lead to a refusal.
- Deadlines: Visa-free applicants in Norway must apply within three months of entry, and graduates before their current permit expires.
- No work for visa-free job seekers: Starting work, also remote work, before a skilled worker permit is granted is not allowed.
- Family: Family members cannot join a visa-free job seeker. Family members of graduates can renew only if they already hold a family immigration permit.
- Permanent residence: Time as a job seeker does not count. Your three years start with a permit that forms the basis for permanent residence, such as a skilled worker permit.
How Nordic Relocators supports you
Eligibility check
We check which job seeker permit fits you and whether your qualification is at skilled-worker level.
Funds and documents
We help you document your funds and prepare diplomas, work certificates and translations.
Application preparation
The online application and appointment, prepared to UDI's checklist and deadlines.
Recruitment network
Our group company Future Concerns AB works in global manpower and recruitment.
Skilled worker application
When you get a job offer, we prepare the skilled worker application with you and your employer.
Relocation support
Housing, national identity number, tax deduction card, banking and settling in.
Frequently asked questions
Does Norway have a positive list of shortage occupations?
No. UDI's skilled worker requirements contain no list of shortage occupations. If you have skilled qualifications and a concrete job offer, you apply as a skilled worker. If you do not have a job yet, a job seeker permit can give you time to search.
Who counts as visa-free?
You count as visa-free if citizens of your country do not need a visa to visit Norway; UDI lists these countries on udi.no. If you need a visa, you cannot get the six-month job seeker permit, but you may qualify for the one-year permit after completing education or research in Norway.
Can I work while I have a job seeker permit?
It depends on the permit. On the six-month permit for visa-free skilled workers, you may not work at all, also not remotely, until a skilled worker permit is granted. On the one-year permit after education or research in Norway, you may work in any job, full-time or part-time, but you may not be self-employed.
Can my family come with me?
Family members cannot get family immigration with a visa-free job seeker. If you get a job seeker permit after education or research in Norway, family members who already hold a family immigration permit and live with you can apply to renew it. Once you hold a skilled worker permit, your family can apply as family of a skilled worker; our Family Immigration page explains the rules.
What happens when I find a job?
You apply for a skilled worker permit based on the concrete job offer. If your visa-free job seeker application is still pending, it can be converted to a skilled worker application. Visa-free job seekers may start work only when the skilled worker permit is granted.
Can I get a new job seeker permit later?
After a permit as a visa-free skilled job seeker, a new permit can only be granted after you have spent one year outside Norway. The job seeker permit after education or research in Norway is granted for up to one year.
Does the time count towards permanent residence?
No. Neither job seeker permit counts towards permanent residence. Only time on permits that form the basis for permanent residence, such as a skilled worker permit, counts towards the three years. Our Permanent Residence page explains the rules.
Check which job seeker permit fits you
A job seeker permit gives you time to find skilled work in Norway, but the qualification, the funds and the deadlines must be right. We check your eligibility, prepare the application and help you move on to a skilled worker permit when you find a job.
Disclaimer: This page gives general information about Norwegian job seeker permits as of 31 October 2026 and is not legal advice. Rules, amounts and fees change, and proposed changes to the work immigration rules were sent on consultation on 28 October 2026 (deadline 22 January 2027). Check udi.no before you apply. UDI decides every application. Nordic Relocators is not a law firm.