There are many types of visa, work and residence permits. Follow the links on the right side and you will find a set of fact sheets in several languages and an alphabetical presentation of all the types of visa and permits, so that you can find the right permit for your visit, work or your stay in Norway.
14/07/2008 ::
Work permit
Norwegian authorities want to facilitate skilled foreign workers to be able to work in Norway. Most foreign workers need a permit to work in Norway. Follow the links, and you may find information on the rules and regulations that apply for the different types of permits and how you can apply. Please see link for exemptions for work permit requirement.
For all types of Work Permits - with the exception of the Working Holiday Visa - an offer of employment must first be received before an application can be lodged. Please note also that you will not be able to apply for more than one type of work and recidence permit at a time.
Family immigration
If you have close family members who are living or will be living in Norway, you may apply to live with your family. You will then need to apply for a family immigration permit, and meet the requirements for this permit. In addition, it is a condition that the person living in Norway can ensure subsistence and housing for you.
Visa
A visa gives the holder permission to travel to Norway and the Schengen area for up to three months. See the article about Schengen visa or follow the link on the right side.
Studies
Foreign nationals who wish to study in Norway for longer than three months must apply for a residence permit for students.
Settlement permit
A settlement permit entitles the holder to live and work in Norway indefinitely. In order to obtain a settlement permit, the terms under which the original work or residence permit was granted must continue to be met for a continuous period of three years.
Who can apply?
It is a requirment that applicants from other nationalities have lived in Australia or New Zealand for a minimum of six months before they can apply from these two countries.
For information on eligibility to apply for any type of work and residence permit for Norway from within Norway, please check the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's (UDI) website.
Asylum
Asylum is a place of refuge for a refugee in a foreign country. A person may have a right to asylum in Norway if he or she has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion in his or her country of origin.
Further information
If you have any questions regarding the rules, please check UDI's website or call UDI's applicant information service, wich answers questions in Norwegian, English and other languages by phone, +47 23 35 15 00, fax +47 23 35 15 15 or email ots@udi.no. You can also contact your nearest Norwegian foreign service mission.