Who requires a work permit as a Peace Corps Volunteer?
You must be a Peace Corps volunteer engaged by one of the Norwegian Peace Corps partners.
What are the requirements for the offer of employment?
- There must be concrete employment contract. The employer must make this offer on the stipulated form or it must be submitted as a standardized work contract. The contract must be signed by your employer and you.
- As a general rule, the offer of employment shall be for full-time work for a specific employer.
- Subsistence and housing must be ensured. Income from the full-time work is considered adequate, as a general rule. The wages and working conditions cannot be less than the applicable tariff agreement, wage scale or normal standards for this type of work.
- As a result of the cooperation regarding salary compensation between the Peace Corps and its partners, the wages will often be somehow lower. The requirement can however be considered as fulfilled after a concrete evaluation. There will also be a consideration as to whether you will receive non-monetary compensation. Housing is considered as secured when it satisfies the health authorities’ requirements.
How do I apply?
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.
However, some people may apply for a work permit from Norway.
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.
What must the application include?
In addition to a completed application form, you must include:
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.
How long will it take to process my application?
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.
Permit holder’s entitlement
- The permit is linked to a particular job and a particular work place. You can therefore not take on another employment without applying for a new work permit first.
- The permit does not constitute 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.
Can the permit be renewed or extended?
Work permit for Peace Corps volunteer can be renewed for a total period not exceeding four years. First-time Residence or Work Permit can be issued for two years. When the contract/invitation is less than the period in question, the permit may be granted for a correspondingly shorter period.
The need for renewal beyond two years must be documented beyond the general desire of the volunteer and/or the employer. It must be a need that involves the volunteer in question.
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.
Can I appeal against a decision?
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).
