The Magnus Legal Blog

Seconded employee of a UK company

Written by May-Liz Rasmussen - Special advisor | 9. March 2021

As a result of UK’s strict policy focusing on not allowing seconded employees into the UK without a full application for work permit, the Norwegian government requires the same for seconded employees who are employed by a UK company.

Employed by a British company

  • From 1 January 2021 you must, as a main rule, apply for a residence permit to continue your assignment or take new assignments in Norway.
  • You are not allowed to work until a permit has been granted.
  • There are requirements relating to the employment relationship, education/qualifications:
      • The offer of assignment must, as a main rule, be for one specific client in Norway
      • You must have completed education or degree from a university/university college or completed vocational training programme of at least three years at upper secondary school level. If you do not have any education, you must have special qualifications that you have obtained through long work experience, if relevant in combination with courses etc.  Your qualifications must be equivalent to those of someone who has completed vocational training.  
      • The pay and working conditions must not be poorer than what is considered normal in Norway:
            • Master degree – min NOK 428 200 per year
            • Bachelor’s degree – min NOK 397 100 per year
  • The application fee to the police is 6300 NOK.
  • The residence permit can be granted for up to two years at a time, depending on the length of the assignment offer.
  • The permit can be renewed, but you can only be granted this type of residence permit for up to six years. After that you must live outside Norway for at least two years before you can apply for a new such permit.