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. 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 2006-001. - 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 for three months
- Are entitled to live in Norway for three months without a permit (i.e. without a visa) or
- Have been granted a visa, i.e. a job seeker’s visa, for a period of less than three months.
It is also a condition that you are not living in Norway while applying for asylum or while waiting to leave the country following a failed asylum application.
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.
What must the application include?
When you are applying for a working permit, the following documents must accompany the application:
- An offer of employment form completed by you and your employer, or an employment contract containing the same information.
- 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.
- CV
- The documents must be translated into English or Norwegian.
- Copy of passport (all completed pages)
- Passport photo/other photo which meets the set requirements
- You must also pay a fee
As a main rule, it is sufficient that copies of the documents are sent with the application. However, you have to produce the original documents when you hand in your application.
All documents attached to the application have to be translated into English or Norwegian.
NB: The requirement for documentation varies from country to country, and may change over time. You should therefore check what requirements currently apply by contacting the Norwegian embassy in the country from which you are applying.
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) by e-mail 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.
- 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.
Any questions?
For more information, see the UDI’s circular on skilled workers/specialists. More detailed information about the conditions under which foreign nationals with specialist training or special qualifications may obtain a work permit in Norway can be found in the brochure “Specialists” – working in Norway as a skilled worker (in Norwegian).
If you are still unsure about anything relating to how you apply for a permit to work as a skilled worker/specialist, you can contact your local Norwegian embassy or consulate, or the Information Service (OTS).
