If you are going to hire foreign labor to work in Norway, it is important to know the requirements for a residence permit. The requirements you must meet depend on where the employee comes from. This blog provides an overview of the different policies.
Residence permits for citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA
The short answer is yes, but there are exceptions for certain occupations where the stay is less than three months.
As a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you must generally have a valid residence permit to work in Norway. As mentioned, above, there are still exceptions for certain professions where the stay is less than 3 months. To ensure that the working conditions for foreign workers are not worse than what is usual in Norway, there are requirements for education, skills, and working conditions.
Below are the most significant requirements listed, but it is important to note that there are changes in both requirements and practice.
Also read: 9 things to keep in mind when hiring foreign workers
Education/competence requirements
- Completed education or degree from university/college, e.g. bachelor's/master's degree.
- Completed vocational education from upper secondary school, at least 3 years, with a passed trade certificate.
Need help hiring foreign labor in Norway?
Contact us and get in touch with an experience work immigration legal advisor.
Requirements for the employment relationship
- There must be a specific job offer for an employer in Norway.
- 100% position.
- The position must require competence as a skilled worker and the applicant must have the competence required for the position.
- If the position is in an industry with a collective agreement, it must also be paid according to a collective agreement.
- If the position is in an industry without a collective agreement, the salary cannot be worse than what is normal for the corresponding occupation.
- If the position requires a master's degree, the salary must be at least NOK 480,900 per year (before tax).
- If the position requires a bachelor's degree, the salary must be at least NOK 448,990 per year (before tax).
- If the work is through a staffing operation, a work plan must be presented showing the assignment to be performed, as well as a confirmation from the client. The employer must be registered in the Labour Inspection Authority's staffing register.
- If the position is in a profession where recognition or authorization is required, this also applies to the foreign employee.
Read also:Foreigners in the Norwegian workspace
Rights and obligations
- A temporary residence permit can be granted for up to three years at a time.
- After three years, it is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit.
- If the work is terminated, it must be reported to the nearest police station within 7 days. It is then possible to stay in Norway for up to six months, to look for a new job. If there is a new job offer within six months, and the job description is the same, you do not need to apply for a new residence permit as long as the "old" one is valid. It may only be reported to the police where you live.
Application Procedure
- Applications are submitted electronically via the UDI's application portal. A fee of NOK 6300 must be paid,-. An appointment is booked for personal attendance for submission of documentation, either in person or by proxy. It is recommended to book an appointment at one of the service centers (Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim or Kirkenes).
- Upon attendance, all necessary paperwork must be submitted.
- The UDI will then process the application, and the applicant will be notified when it has been processed/granted. The processing time varies from office to office but is usually between 10 days and 2 months.
- Once the permit has been granted, a new appointment must be booked with the police where an ID check is carried out, as well as an application for a tax deduction card.
As a general rule, it is not permitted to start work before the permit has been granted, unless an "early start of work" has been granted.
Apply with power of attorney
The employee can give the employer written authorization to apply on their behalf.
Resident permits for citizens living in an EU/EEA country
The short answer is no, but after 3 months you must register with the police.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a residence permit to work in Norway. However, these must register with the police no later than 3 months after arrival. If you fail to register, the police can issue fines.
In case of stay more than 3 months, they must register with the police and obtain a registration certificate.
Registration requirements
- Valid employment contract/offer of employment in Norway
Rights and obligations - You can freely change jobs and you can have one or more employers
- You can bring your family to Norway, but they must also register with the police
- After 5 years, it is possible to obtain a permanent right of residence
Registration procedure
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- The registration is done electronically via the UDI's application portal (no fee). An appointment must be booked for personal attendance, and an employment contract and passport or other valid confirmation of ID must be presented.
- The police then issue a registration certificate with unlimited duration.
- Once you have received the registration certificate, you can get a Norwegian identity number and tax deduction card.
Resident permits for citizens of Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland
The short and simple answer is no. Citizens of Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland can work in Norway without registering with the police, but the move must be reported to the National Population Register.
For companies that are based in Norway and are using foreign labor, there is a lot to keep in mind.
Need help hiring foreign labor in Norway?
Contact us and get in touch with an experience work immigration legal advisor.
Need help hiring foreign labor in Norway?
Contact us and get in touch with an experience work immigration legal advisor.
