Norway - Visas, Residency, Immigration & Documentation

Visas

All foreign nationals are required to hold a valid travel document to enter Norway. In the case of EEA nationals, a national Identity card is usually sufficient, while other nationals must hold a passport which is valid for at least three months beyond their planned length of stay in Norway, and may also require a visa. Details of the countries whose nationals do not require a visa to enter Norway for periods of less than three months can be found on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website.

Work Permits

With the exception of the citizens of other Scandinavian countries, all foreign nationals are required to obtain a work permit in order to take up employment in Norway. EEA citizens are allowed to enter Norway to seek employment for a period of up to six months, provided they can show evidence of sufficient funds to cover the cost of their stay, and can apply for a work permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) from within the country. Other nationals must apply for a work permit from the Norwegian Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin before entering Norway to take up employment, unless they already hold a visa, residence or work permit to live in Norway for at least three months, or a short-term jobseekers visa. Alternatively, the employer in Norway can apply for the work permit on behalf of the applicant.

Different types of work permits are issued to people in different occupational groups, and are normally issued in accordance with strict quotas and skills/qualification requirements. If offering a job to a non-EEA national, the employer will be required to confirm that the post cannot be filled by a suitably qualified Norwegian or other EEA national.

Residence Permits

All foreign nationals who plan to live in Norway for a period exceeding three months must apply for a residence permit. EU/EEA nationals can apply for this within Norway, by application to the police in the area where they plan to live. They must submit their passport or other travel document used to enter the country, along with the relevant application form. Other foreign nationals must apply for a residence permit from the Norwegian embassy or consulate in their home country, or another country where they have been legally resident for six months or more, and are not allowed to enter Norway until their application is approved.

Registration

Anyone arriving in Norway to live or work there for more than three months is required to obtain a personal ID number (or provisional 'D' number if staying for less than 6 months) from the National Registry office in their area of residence in Norway. This will be required in order to access health services, open a bank account etc. It normally takes up to six weeks to process applications.

Settlement Permits

Foreign nationals who have lived in Norway for at least three consecutive years on a valid residence permit or work permit, can apply for a Settlement Permit which entitles them to live and work in Norway indefinitely. Applicants for Settlement Permits are required to attend at least 250 hours of Norwegian Language training, and at least 50 hours of Social Studies instruction.

Citizenship

Applicants for Norwegian citizenship must be over 18, have lived in Norway for at least seven consecutive years, and have a record of good conduct. They are required to attend at least 300 hours of Norwegian language training, unless they have documentary evidence of proficiency in either Norwegian or Sami.

Full details of immigration, work and residence permit and settlement procedures are provided on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website.