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.
NB: Separate rules apply for citizens of EU/EEA countries.
In order to obtain a work permit as a guest worker, you must go through one of the two organisations which are approved as agencies for this type of work. These are:
The purpose of the stay in Norway must be to acquire knowledge about Norwegian agriculture and Norwegian culture.
It is a condition of this work permit that you return to your country of origin when your permit expires.
- It is required that you take part in the daily farm work or work in the 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.
- The work must help you to acquire knowledge about Norwegian agriculture and Norwegian culture. Solely carrying out harvesting work does not meet this objective.
- As a rule, the application must relate to full-time work. The work must not exceed 35 hours per week. You are entitled to at least 1.5 consecutive days off per week.
- There is a minimum wage requirement, plus you must be provided with board, lodging and travel home.
- An employer may not have more than three guest workers at any one time.
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.
In addition to a completed application form, you must include:
- A standard employment contract. The contract submitted must be the original, stamped and signed by one of the two organisations which are approved as agencies for this type of work. The employment contract must also be signed by the applicant.
- A written ensurance from the same organisation, ensuring board, lodging and travel home, plus a minimum wage.
- A description of the length of the work, and the type of work you will be given at the farm/market garden.
- 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.
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.
- A work permit as a guest worker may be granted for up to three months.
- As a rule, this kind of permit cannot be granted more than three times.
- The work permit is linked to one specified employer, or possibly two employers.
- As a guest worker, you may have up to two employers. It is required that you work full-time for each employer, and that the period of work with each one is continuous. You must submit an employment contract from each employer, defining exactly when you will be working for each one.
- You are only entitled to work for the employer(s) stated in the work permit.
- You are not permitted to switch employer part way through, as this is considered an application for renewal of the permit. See next point.
- The permit does not constitute grounds for a settlement permit or family immigration.
The permit cannot be renewed. However, if the permit is granted for less than three months, it may be extended within the three-month period. If exceptional circumstances arise which mean that the purpose of the stay cannot be met, for example the season shifts, the permit may be further extended by up to one month. The permit may only be extended if the person concerned wishes to continue working for the same employer.
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 about this type of work permit, see our guidelines in the Circular on guest agricultural workers. If you are still unsure about anything relating to how you apply for this type of work permit, you can contact your local Norwegian embassy or consulate, or
the Information Service (OTS).
