Work PermitsEvery Norway work permit route, in one place
Each Norway work permit and residence permit for employment is governed by Utlendingsloven (LOV-2008-05-15-35) and Utlendingsforskriften (FOR-2009-10-15-1286). EU and EEA citizens move freely, while most other nationals need a residence permit for work before they start. We file under the optimal route for your role, salary, employer and family situation, and we deal with UDI directly.
A strong market for international talent
Norway pairs a high-income economy with a settled reputation for work-life balance, safe cities and family-friendly policy. Each year skilled professionals move here to work in energy, maritime, technology, healthcare, engineering and the green transition. For most non-EEA nationals the path runs through UDI, and a well-prepared application is the difference between a smooth start and months of delay.
Why Norway
High wages and strong welfare: competitive pay backed by solid social protection
Work-life balance: predictable hours and generous family leave
Demand for skills: shortages across ICT, healthcare, engineering and trades
Family can come too: most skilled routes allow family immigration alongside
How we work with you
Route assessment against your role, salary and qualification
Document collection and review in your secure portal
Application drafting and submission to UDI
Biometrics and embassy or VFS coordination
Family immigration filed in parallel where needed
Arrival setup: police registration, tax and the national registry
Nine Norwegian work-permit categories we handle
Each is a distinct legal basis with different documentation, processing times and family implications. We match your case to the right one.
Skilled Worker (Faglært arbeidstaker)
Primary work-permit route under Utlendingsforskriften §6-1. Vocational training, bachelor’s degree, or special qualifications required.
- Concrete Norwegian job offer
- Salary at collective-agreement level
- Job content matches qualifications
- Family immigration available
Fast Track (Hurtigspor)
Pre-approval framework where certified employers can bring skilled workers to Norway in about half the standard time. The worker can usually start before the permit is issued.
- Employer pre-certified by UDI
- Skilled-worker qualification required
- Worker may start on filing
- Shorter UDI turnaround
Shortage Occupation
Engineers, ICT specialists, nurses, doctors, certain skilled trades. Filing as shortage occupation strengthens but does not bypass skilled-worker rules.
- Profession in documented shortage
- Lighter employer documentation
- Often combined with Fast Track
Researcher with own funds
For researchers with secured financing (scholarship, grant, fellowship) working at a Norwegian institution. Easier when funding is documented.
- Norwegian host institution confirmation
- Documented funding above living-cost floor
- Family immigration available
- EU and EEA institutional mobility
ICT: Intra-Corporate Transferee
Posted-worker route for managers, specialists and trainee employees temporarily transferred within a multinational corporate group.
- Three categories: manager, specialist, trainee
- Time-limited transfer to a Norwegian entity
- Family permits aligned to principal
- Utlendingsforskriften §6-13
Seasonal Worker
For agriculture, forestry, fishery and tourism roles with established seasonal demand. A time-limited route per calendar year, with no family track.
- Seasonal sectors only
- Time-limited per calendar year
- No family reunification
Job Seeker (Skilled Worker)
A permit to come to Norway and find a qualifying job. Switches to standard Skilled Worker on offer acceptance.
- Bachelor’s or vocational qualification
- Means to support yourself
- Time-limited and non-renewable
- Convert on offer
Self-Employed Worker
For workers running their own business in Norway. Brønnøysundregistrene registration and tax setup required.
- Norwegian business (NUF, AS, ENK)
- Business plan and financial projections
- Sufficient capital for the first year
Posted Worker (Service Provider)
For workers employed by a foreign service-provider temporarily posted to a Norwegian client. Different rules for EEA-based and non-EEA providers.
- Contract: foreign provider to Norwegian client
- EEA-based: notification via Arbeidstilsynet
- Non-EEA: full Skilled Worker permit needed
What most applicants must show
Regardless of route, UDI assesses identity, the offer, the qualification and that pay and conditions meet Norwegian standards. Incomplete files are the most common cause of delay.
Identity and offer
- Valid passport
- Signed Norwegian employment contract
- Clear job description matching duties
Pay and conditions
- Wages at the regulated tariff or collective-agreement level
- A full-time role as a rule
- Employer registered and compliant
Qualification and background
- Education or vocational qualification for the role
- Authorisation for regulated professions
- No serious immigration or criminal history
From job offer to permit card
Every route follows broadly the same path with UDI. We run each stage and keep your documents and status in one portal.
1. Eligibility check
We confirm the right route for your role, salary and qualification, and flag anything that needs fixing before you file.
2. Document preparation
We collect your contract, qualifications and supporting evidence and review them against UDI requirements.
3. Submission and fee
We draft and submit the application to UDI and arrange the state processing fee.
4. Biometrics
You attend a Norwegian embassy, VFS centre or the police to give fingerprints and a photo.
5. Processing
UDI reviews the case and may ask for more information. We respond to any follow-ups on your behalf.
6. Decision and arrival
On approval you receive your residence and work permit, then we handle police registration, tax and the national registry.
How long a permit lasts
Duration and family
- Tied to the contract: permits are usually granted for the length of the job, within UDI limits
- Renewable while the employment and salary conditions continue
- Counts toward settlement: qualifying time builds toward permanent residence
- Family alongside: spouse, partner and children can apply for family immigration
Good to know
- Salary thresholds are set yearly by UDI and vary by qualification level.
- A concrete written offer is required before filing, not a verbal agreement.
- Regulated professions, such as healthcare, may need separate authorisation.
- Most schemes do not require Norwegian language for the permit itself.
Skilled Worker, Fast Track and Shortage Occupation
Compare the three main work-permit tracks in Norway side by side. Final eligibility is decided by UDI under Utlendingsloven.
Skilled Worker
- Job offer at the salary level set yearly by UDI, or the relevant tariff
- Degree, vocational qualification or specialist experience
- Counts toward permanent residence
Fast Track
- Employer pre-certified by UDI
- Shorter turnaround for complete files
- Same eligibility as Skilled Worker
Shortage Occupation
- Roles in documented shortage, such as nurses, doctors and engineers
- Priority handling and a simpler labour-market test
- Family immigration available
Begin your Norwegian work-permit journey
From the first eligibility check to approval and arrival, we file under the right route and keep everything compliant with UDI.
