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.
NB: Separate rules apply for citizens of EU/EEA countries.
- 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. If special considerations apply, specialist training at a higher level may be required. See skilled worker/specialist for more information.
- You must have a concrete offer of employment or employment contract.
- If the offer of employment or employment contract shows that the need for this expertise is permanent, or that a permit has been granted during the last six months to carry out the same kind of work for the same employer, a work permit will only be granted under exceptional circumstances. If necessary, a statement will be obtained from the relevant competent authority, and may also be obtained from the relevant county employment office and professional bodies.
In the case of work lasting no longer than three months, a work permit is not required for technical experts, technicians, fitters, consultants or instructors who will be installing, disassembling, inspecting, repairing or maintaining machinery or technical equipment or providing information on their use.
- As a rule, the application must relate to full-time work. The extent to which the job is a full-time post must be assessed based on what is normal for the professional group in question.
- The work must relate to one specified, continuous period with one 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.
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 completed “offer of employment” form, or an employment contract which has been signed by the employer/client and the applicant. The offer of employment or contract must detail the rights and obligations of both parties, including working hours, workplace and wage, plus any supplements in the form of free board and lodging, for example.
- Information about housing.
- 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.
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.
- A permit on these grounds is granted for up to three months.
- The permit is linked to a particular job and workplace. You are not permitted to work in a job or with an employer other than those stated in the decision.
- You may not start working until the work permit has been granted.
- The permit does not constitute grounds for a settlement permit or family immigration.
The permit may be granted for up to three months, and cannot be renewed. However, if the permit is granted for less than three months, it may be extended within the three-month period. In extraordinary circumstances, the permit may also be extended for a maximum of one more month.
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 short term specialist, you can contact your local Norwegian embassy or consulate, or
the Information Service (OTS).
