General permit information:
The permit is available to Australian passport holders, single or married, in the 18-30 (inclusive) age group who intend primarily to holiday in Norway for a period longer than 3 months. The applicant cannot be accompanied by dependent children.
This is a multiple-entry permit valid for 12 months. It can only be granted to applicants who have not previously taken part in this specific Working Holiday Maker scheme, although the permit may be extended for an additional 12 months at the discretion of the Norwegian immigration authorities. Applications for renewal should be submitted to the police in your district of residence at least one month before the expiry of the original permit. You can apply for renewal even if you have reached the age of 31.
Employment is restricted to a maximum of 6 months with each individual employer. There is no restriction on the type of employment which may be taken, however permit holders will be required to comply with the laws and regulations of Norway and not to engage in employment that is contrary to the purpose of the Working Holiday arrangements.
Knowledge of the Norwegian language is not a requirement for this permit. Although there is no direct assistance available for finding jobs, the Government of Norway encourages youth, cultural and community organisations within Norway to provide appropriate counseling facilities for Australian citizens who have entered Norway on Working Holiday permits.
Working Holiday permit holders are permitted to study or train for up to 3 months during their stay.
Applicants may break their Working Holiday and depart Norway temporarily within the 12 months from the date of initial entry. However, if you depart Norway during this period you will not be able to recover the period spent outside Norway.
Applicants may apply simultaneously for Working Holiday permits in other countries.
Where to apply:
An application for a Working Holiday permit should be submitted to a Norwegian Embassy or Consulate. You may choose which Norwegian Foreign Service mission to apply at. Please note that, as a general rule, you cannot enter Norway until your application has been approved.
Applications may be lodged at any of the Norwegian Consulate offices within Australia, except in Sydney where applications should be lodged with the Danish Consulate General. Applications can also be posted directly to the Embassy in Canberra.
Please note that applications for Working Holiday permits cannot be registered online.
Application procedures:
Most applications lodged in Australia are processed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Canberra. They generally take no more than 4 weeks to finalise. However, it is important that correct documentation is submitted if delays are to be avoided.
Applicants will be advised if an interview is deemed necessary in order to determine eligibility.
Due to the large number of applications, the Embassy will not be able to confirm receipt of your documents. If you would like acknowledgement that your application and or supporting documents have been received, please use a delivery service that enables you to track your letter/email.
Please note that the Embassy will return passports and send notifications by regular post only. If you wish for these to be sent by a faster or more secure method, you must either provide a pre-paid self-addressed envelope of your choice, or a confirmation that you will book and pay for a courier company when needed. The same applies for postage from the Consulate to the Embassy if the application and or supporting documents are lodged with one of our Consulates. Please be advised that the Embassy accepts no liability for loss of passports or other documents in the mail.
If your application is approved:
Approved applicants are provided with an official Embassy letter which must be taken to the police in Norway within 7 days of arrival in the country in order to have the permit sticker stamped into their passports. For this reason applicants must be sure to state the city/town where they will be located during their initial days in Norway so that permit particulars can be forwarded to the appropriate police district.
Applicants have up to 6 months to enter Norway from the date the permit is approved. If you are unable to enter Norway within this 6 month period you must contact the Embassy in Canberra to cancel the original permit in good time before the given final date of entry, otherwise it will not be possible to reapply for the permit at a later time.
The following documentation must be provided with your application:
1. The application form "Application for a residence permit or work permit". All applicable sections of the application form must be completed. If you do not have an employer at the time you apply, please leave section 4B blank.
2. One passport photo: Please see http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Oversiktsider/Common-pages/Photo-requirements/?id=7423 for photo requirements.
3. Certified copy of the bio-data page, containing photo/personal details, of the Australian passport
4. Supporting financial documentation: Evidence must be provided showing that you, at the time of the application, have available sufficient funds to sustain yourself during the first 3 months of the stay in Norway. The funds must be equivalent to the rates of the State Educational Loan Fund, currently NOK 9 080 per month.
In addition you need a pre-paid return travel ticket to Norway or sufficient additional funds with which to purchase such ticket (currently approx. AUD 2,000).
Bank statements provided must be either originals or certified copies of originals. Over-the-counter statements of balance can also be accepted if they bear a bank stamp, date and signature. Internet statements and ATM balance statements cannot be accepted unless they bear your name and have been certified correct by the relevant bank.
Please note that all funds must be in your own name. This permit does not allow for guarantees of accommodation or financial support from other people as a part of the financial requirement of the application.
Credit card limits or balances are not acceptable as proof of available funds.
5. Medical certificate from a doctor/GP stating that you are fit and healthy to travel to and work in Norway. Please be advised that you may freely choose which qualified medical doctor to see to obtain the required medical certificate. There is no requirement regarding the format of the medical certificate.
6. Application fee: Please note that the fee for applications posted directly to the Embassy can only be paid by a Postal Money Order or a Bank Cheque made payable to "The Royal Norwegian Embassy Canberra".
Please Note: All photocopied documentation must be certified by a qualified authority as a true copy of the original document. People authorised to certify documents include Medical Practitioner, Legal Practitioner, Pharmacist, Justice of the Peace, Police Officer, Post Office employee, Commissioner for Affidavits/Declarations, Commonwealth/State/Local Government employees with 5+ years of continuous service, Bank/Building Society/Credit Union employees with 5+ years of continuous service, Member of Parliament.
Health Insurance:
Temporary visitors to Norway may now obtain limited subsidised health services for immediately necessary treatment. This means any ill-health or injury which occurs while in Norway and which requires treatment before you return home. Existing medical conditions are not covered. Any necessary treatment will be given within the public health care system on terms no less favourable than would apply to a resident in the country. However, transportation is not included and there is a limit on the daily amount of hospital costs which will be covered. In order to have expenses covered the patient must use a GP with a reimbursement agreement (this should be checked with the doctor). The patient will only be required to pay the cost-sharing charge (patient's fee) which is non-reimbursable. A passport or valid Medicare card will suffice as documentation.
Working Holiday permit holders are strongly advised to obtain private travel/health insurance before leaving Australia.