Skilled worker/specialist

Skilled workers/specialists are persons who have specialist training in a particular field or have special qualifications needed in Norway. Specialist training means vocational training equivalent to at least three years at upper secondary school, or a university degree. Special qualifications are skills acquired through practical work experience, possibly in combination with a certain amount of training.

21/04/2008 ::
Who can obtain a work permit as a skilled worker/specialist?

• You must have specialist training or have special qualifications
  “Specialist training” means training equivalent to at least three years of vocational training at upper secondary school. Examples of vocational training include specialist training as a carpenter, plumber or enrolled nurse. Training at the level of higher education, i.e. university level, is also covered by the term “specialist training”. The training/degree must have been completed.
• As an alternative to specialist training, “special qualifications” are also considered. This term applies in two cases: if you lack the relevant specialist training, or if the skill in question cannot be achieved through formal training. “Special qualifications” are skills acquired through professional experience, possibly in combination with a certain amount of training (courses or similar). If formal training is available in the relevant field, any professional experience must, as a rule, be significantly longer in duration than the training. It must also cover the same specialist areas as the training. Work experience must be documented through originals of statements from previous employers. The statement must state the time period that the applicant worked with this employer, and must contain detailed information about what tasks the applicant performed and how the applicant performed these tasks. A concrete assessment will determine whether an applicant can be said to have special qualifications.
• Stricter skill requirements for certain groups
  There are currently stricter skill requirements for religious leaders/teachers and chefs of national cuisine. Detailed guidelines can be found in the UDI circular 2007-026.
• Your expertise must be considered necessary for the business
  Your expertise must be necessary for the business in question, i.e. the position must be such that it requires specialist training or special qualifications.
• Requirement regarding quota scheme/labour market assessment
  As a rule, it is a condition either that you are covered by a specific quota scheme, or that the position cannot be filled by domestic labour or a worker from an EEA or EFTA country. Within the quota scheme set up in 2002, the quota has not been filled. This means that the requirement for a labour market assessment does not currently apply.
• Additional conditions for skilled workers/specialists who will be working through employment agencies
  Additional conditions apply for this group of employees – see UDI circulars 2007-014 and 2006-001.

What are the requirements regarding employment?

• There must be a concrete and current offer of employment.
• As a rule, the application must relate to full-time work for a single employer.
• The wages and working conditions must not be worse than the applicable tariff agreement, wage scale or normal standard for the location and profession.

How do I apply?

• To apply for a work permit, you must complete an application form.
• The application must be submitted from your country of origin or another country where you have been legally resident for at least six months.
• You may not enter the country and start working before your permit has been granted.
• The application must be submitted to your nearest Norwegian foreign service mission (embassy, consulate general).
• You will also be informed of the decision regarding your application via the Norwegian foreign service mission.

However, some people may apply for a work permit from Norway. This applies to those who qualify as a skilled worker/specialist, and either:

• Have a residence or work permit lasting three months or more
• Have been granted a visa/job seeker visa for up to three months
• Are entitled to live in Norway for three months without a permit (i.e. without a visa)

Applications made from within Norway must be submitted to the police in the district in which you live.

Your employer may apply for you

Your employer may also apply for a work permit for you, if you give your employer written power of attorney. In this case, the application must be submitted to the police in the district in which the employer’s business is based.

Temporary permit

You may not start working until you have received a work permit.

The police may, on request, issue a temporary permit, if they believe it is likely that your application will be granted. In this case, you must meet the conditions for submitting an application from within Norway.

Change of jobs or employers

If you change your job (position) or employer, you must submit a new application for a work permit. You can continue working in your new job (position) until processing of the application has been completed if you:

• already have a work permit as a skilled worker/specialist, and 
• you are applying for a new work permit pursuant to the rules for skilled workers/specialists, and
• you apply no later than one month before your current permit expires

What must the application include?

When you are applying for a working permit, the following documents must accompany the application:

• 2 x "Application for a first-time residence permit or work permit" forms to be completed.
• An offer of employment form , or an employment contract containing the same information signed by you and your employer.
• Documentation of training. The documentation must contain information on the length of the course, course content and the level of the educational institution. 
• Documentation of professional experience. The documentation must contain detailed information from previous employers regarding duration, duties and type of business. The documentation must also contain detailed information about how the duties are performed by the applicant.
• CV
• Information about housing
• Certified copy of passport
• The application fee is to be paid to the foreign mission upon submission of the application. Please refer to the fee schedule on the general information page
• Passport photo which meets the set requirements, see link on the right side.

Please note:

• As a main rule, it is sufficient that certified copies of the documents are sent with the application. However, you have to produce the original documents when you hand in your application.
• An offer of employment must bear the Company stamp and signature of the employer in Norway.
• All documents attached to the application have to be translated into English or Norwegian.

How long will it take to process my application?

Case processing times vary. For an overview of processing times for the various types of permit, visit www.udi.no/caseprocessingtime. You can also contact the Information Service (OTS) ots@udi.no or by calling (+47) 23 35 16 00.

In order to avoid unnecessary case processing delays, it is important to take care when completing the application form and to include all the requested documentation.

Permit holder's entitlement

• A work permit for a skilled worker/specialist is valid for a particular job and a particular workplace. As a rule, you cannot therefore take on other work within or outside the specified company.
• The duration of the first-issue work permit can be set at one, two or three years, but may not extend beyond the duration of the employment.
• The permit constitutes grounds for a settlement permit. Once you have held a work permit as a skilled worker/specialist for a continuous period of three years, you may apply for a settlement permit. A change of employer will not be deemed to interrupt this period provided that you have worked in Norway continuously for three years.
• Family members of a skilled worker/specialist may come to Norway under the rules for family immigration. If the family’s application is submitted at the same time as the application for the principal person, these will be processed together.

Can the permit be extended or renewed?

The permit may be renewed. An application for renewal of the work permit must be submitted at least one month before the current permit expires. The application must be submitted to the police where you live. You must also pay a fee when applying for renewal.

Can I appeal against a decision?

If your application for a work permit is rejected, you may appeal against this decision. If you appeal, your application will be re-examined by the UDI. The UDI may overturn the decision and grant the requested permit. If the UDI upholds the decision, the case is sent on to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) for new consideration.

Further questions?

For more information, see the UDI’s circular on skilled workers/specialists. If you are still unsure about anything relating to how you apply for a permit to work as a skilled worker/specialist, please contact the Information Service (OTS) ots@udi.no or your local Norwegian embassy or consulate.