The au pair system allows young people to increase their language ability and gain greater knowledge of Norway and Norwegian culture by living with a Norwegian family. In return, they carry out tasks such as housework and childminding for their host family.
This group covers chefs intending to work at restaurants offering ethnic/national cuisine and to prepare food which represents the culinary traditions of their home country. It should be noted that “ordinary” chefs do not fall into the category “chefs of national cuisine”. This group is referred to the information under the heading Skilled worker/specialist.
The work permit for staff which are deemed necessary to develop Norwegian trade is particularly applicable in cases where Norwegian firms are establishing themselves, or significantly expanding their business, abroad. In certain cases, the type of work which comes under this provision also falls within the rules on work permits for skilled workers/specialists.
Diplomats do not require a work or residence permit. However, you must be registered with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or another applicable Norwegian authority. This also applies to foreign nationals who are support staff at a diplomatic or consular mission or who are in the private employ of a diplomat.
This type of work permit may be granted to employees of a foreign state company or multinational company wishing to carry out work at the company's office in Norway.
A group permit grants permission to employ a set number of foreign workers for a temporary job, project, etc. Consequently, a group work permit is not in fact a type of work permit, but a permit to recruit a group of workers. Once they have entered Norway, foreign nationals covered by such a permit will be given an individual permit to work in the group. The employee cannot start work until he or she has received this individual permit from the police.
A work permit for a guest worker may be granted to foreign nationals who wish to acquire knowledge of Norwegian agriculture and Norwegian culture. It is required that you take part in general farm work or work in a market garden, and act as part of the family on the farm. You are not permitted to carry out major maintenance work, construction of new buildings or similar work. In cases where the farm runs “combination farming”, e.g. a farm combined with a campsite, you will not be allowed to carry out work relating to the non-farming part of the business.
This form of work permit may be granted to persons who are journalists or other staff of foreign newspapers, radio stations or TV stations.
A work permit of this type may be granted to Russian citizens in the Barents region who wish to sell Russian products at markets and municipal cultural events.
Entertainment does not fall into this category of work permit.
This form of work permit may be granted to persons who will be working as missionaries or carrying out preaching work.
This type of work permit may be granted to a co-worker who is considered necessary for the performance of a contract between a company in Norway and a company abroad.
This permit requires you to be a participant in the Norwegian volunteer service Fredskorpset, taken on by a Norwegian partner of this organisation.
This permit is granted to researchers, scholarship holders and lecturers at research institutes or educational establishments.
There are only certain circumstances in which seamen require a work permit in Norway.
This type of work permit may be granted for work of a seasonal nature or as an ordinary holiday replacement.
A person may be granted a work permit for up to three months as a short term specialist if they can document that they have specialist training or have special qualifications, and that their skills are considered necessary for the post which they have been offered.
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 of further education, or a university degree. Special qualifications are skills acquired through practical work experience, possibly in combination with a certain amount of training.
A work permit for sole trading may be granted to foreign nationals who wish to start up their own business in Norway. The application must relate to a business which is not already established. The applicant must bear all personal responsibility for the liabilities of the business (sole trading).
This type of work permit may be granted to persons who will be participating in sport at a high level, or who will be a sports trainer at a high level.
As a student in Norway, you may be granted a work permit to work part-time alongside your studies and during the holidays.
A temporary permit may be granted to persons who are entitled to apply for a work and residence permit from Norway, when it is likely that the permit applied for will be granted.
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.
This form of work permit may be granted to persons who have completed their studies in Norway.
This type of work permit may be granted to persons who will be working on the Norwegian section of the continental shelf.
Russian nationals from the Barents region may be granted a permit to work in the fish processing industry in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. A permit will not be granted if domestic labour or workers from other EEA or EFTA countries are available.
This form of work permit may be granted to persons from Australia or New Zealand who wish to take a long holiday in Norway and supplement their spending money with odd jobs/temporary work.
Any questions?
If you are still unsure about what type of permit you should apply for, contact the Information Service (OTS).
