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).
NB: Separate rules apply for citizens of EU/EEA countries.
For this permit, you must be intending to establish and run a business in Norway. The planned business must be of a lasting nature.
- The application must relate to a business which is not already established.
- It is also required that you bear all personal responsibility for the liabilities of the business. In other words, you must be a sole trader. A work permit will not be granted if you only have limited responsibility for the financial liabilities of the business, for example in a limited company.
- It must be established that there is a financial basis for the business. In this respect, there must be a satisfactory description of the nature of the business. There must also be financial and business plans in place plus a market analysis and sales potential for the product.
- You must also provide documentation that you have business premises.
- If the start-up of the business requires the permit/permits from a public body, you must include with the application a statement from the relevant authority to the effect that such a permit/permits will be granted.
- It is a general condition of a work permit that you are able to support yourself financially for the period to which the application applies. This financial support must be equivalent to at least civil service pay grade 1. In the case of a work permit for establishing a commercial enterprise, it is required that the financial support is, in the main, ensured through the commercial enterprise.
- It is also required that you are ensured housing during your time in Norway.
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration sends applications for this work permit to NAV for assessment. The work permit will only be granted on NAV’s recommendation.
A work permit for establishing a commercial enterprise will not be granted if you will be employed in the company which is to be established. The application for a work permit will, in this case, be assessed under the provisions regarding work permits for skilled workers/specialists.
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.
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:
- Satisfactory description of the nature of the business
- Financial and business plans
- Market analysis and sales potential for the product
- Documentation of any expertise/experience you may have in relation to running a business of this type
- Documentation that you have business premises, for example in the form of a lease
- An advance promise that any necessary permits from public bodies will be granted
- Documentation that you have 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.
- The permit is linked to the running of the business in question. The permit does not allow other work.
- The permit constitutes grounds for a settlement permit.
- Family members 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.
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.
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 work permit, you can contact your local Norwegian embassy or consulate, or
the Information Service (OTS).
