This type of residence permit can be granted to persons from the EU/EEA/EFTA area who are to take up employment in Norway. Please note, that transitional rules apply to citizens of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Rumania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, i.e. the information here is not relevant to employees from these countries. See separate rules.
Who can be granted a residence permit as an employee?
It is a condition for this type of permit that you will mainly be an employee in Norway.
A more precise definition of the conditions can be found in the Immigration Regulations s. 175 first paragraph.
What requirements apply to this type of residence permit?
- You must have an offer of employment.
- The offer of employment must be genuine and of a certain scope.
- No requirements are specified with respect to the type of employment and it is permitted to have several employers.
How do I apply?
To apply for a residence permit, you must fill in the application form for EEA citizens. The application can be submitted to your nearest Norwegian foreign service mission in your home country, or in another country in which you have legally resided for a minimum of 6 months. You can also apply from the realm. If you decide to apply from the realm, you can start work and reside in Norway for three months before you have to apply for a permit.
Applications submitted in Norway must be delivered to the police district where you live. The police can to grant the application if there is no doubt that the conditions are met. If there is doubt, the application will be sent to the UDI for a decision.
EEA citizens, who start working before a residence permit has been granted, can get a tax card and a temporary personal identity number by applying to the tax authorities.
What do I have to enclose with my application?
In addition to the completed application form, you must enclose:
- A standard offer of employment or employment contract showing the scope and duration of the work.
If you are already working, it is a good idea to enclose copies of your payslips to ensure that there is no doubt about the scope of the work.
You must also enclose:
- A copy of your passport or approved identity card.
- A passport photo/photo that meets specific requirements.
How long will it take to process my application?
The case processing time varies somewhat. An overview of how long it takes on average to process the different types of application is available at www.udi.no/caseprocessingtime, or you can contact the Information Service for Applicants by email or by phoning (+ 47) 23 35 16 00.
We encourage everyone to apply well in advance. In order to avoid the processing of applications taking longer than necessary, it is important to be accurate when filling in the application form and to enclose all the requested documentation.
Remember that you can start working while you are waiting for your application to be processed.
The time the police take to process applications will vary depending on the district you reside in. Ask the police when you hand in your application.
The permit’s content
The permit entitles you to work and to run a business.
The permit is granted for five years. If the offer of employment is for less than a year, a permit will be granted for the length of time stated in the offer of employment.
The permit does not constitute grounds for a settlement permit.
Family members can come to Norway pursuant to the regulations for family immigration pursuant to the EEA Agreement. If the family’s application is submitted simultaneously with the main applicant’s application, they will be processed together.
Can the permit be renewed or extended?
The permit can be renewed. As a rule, it is renewed for five years at a time.
An application for the renewal of a residence permit must be submitted at least one month prior to the expiry date of the permit.
Applications for renewal should be submitted to the police in the district where you live.
When applying for a renewal, you must enclose documentation showing that you are still in employment.
Can I appeal against a rejection?
If your application for a residence permit is rejected, you may appeal the decision. If you appeal, your application will be reconsidered by the UDI. The UDI can overturn the decision and grant the application. If not, the case will be sent to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) for new processing.
A residence permit can be revoked
A residence permit can be revoked if the conditions are no longer met.
The revocation of a residence permit means that you are obliged to leave Norway, unless you satisfy the requirements for being granted a permit on other grounds.
The Immigration Directorate (UDI) decides the revocation of permits. If the UDI believe there are grounds for revoking your permit, they shall, as a rule, inform you, so that you have an opportunity to state your point of view before they make a decision. You also have the right to appeal a revocation decision.
Further questions?
If you still have questions regarding how to apply for a residence permit as an employee from EU/EEA/EFTA countries, you can contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, or the Information Service for Applicants.
