A trainee is a person who wishes to come to Norway to train in a particular profession. The work permit may be granted if the work is considered essential for the person’s qualifications and a natural part of his or her vocational training.
NB: Separate rules apply for citizens of EU/EEA countries.
The main purpose of the work must be professional/vocational training. A trainee period may take place before or during an educational programme, or a short time after an educational programme has been completed. The work must be relevant to your professional/vocational training and of significant importance to your expertise.
The wages must be in line with the applicable tariff agreement, wage scale or normal standard. If there is no applicable tariff agreement, wage scale or normal standard, the wages must amount to at least NOK 7,500 per month. If board and lodging are included in the wages, the value of this is set at NOK 4,000 per month.
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.
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.
When you are applying for a working permit, the following documents must accompany the application:
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.
Case processing times vary. For an overview of average 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.
- The permit is linked to a particular job and a particular workplace. Therefore, you may not take any other work without first applying for a new work permit.
- The permit does not constitute grounds for a settlement permit.
- Family members may come to Norway under the rules for family immigration. The application fof the family will be processed by the same department as the principal person.
The permit may be renewed for up to two years. 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.
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?
If you are still unsure about anything relating to how you apply for a permit to work as a trainee, you can contact your local Norwegian embassy or consulate, or
the Information Service (OTS).
