Norway
Work permit in Norway.
To work in Norway without EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship you need a residence and work permit from UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration). The main routes are Residence permit (oppholdstillatelse), Residence permit: skilled worker (faglært), Residence permit: seasonal worker (sesongarbeider), Registration certificate for EU/EEA nationals (registreringsbevis). Skilled worker: the lowest pay a year before tax for a position that requires a master's degree: NOK 624,700 a year since 3 October 2026. Permanent residence is possible after 3 years on most routes.
Permit types
The permits Norway issues
- Residence permit (oppholdstillatelse)
- Residence permit: skilled worker (faglært)
- Residence permit: seasonal worker (sesongarbeider)
- Registration certificate for EU/EEA nationals (registreringsbevis)
- Permanent residence permit (permanent oppholdstillatelse)
- Social-security certificate (A1 or under an agreement)
Salary levels
What the permit has to pay
Each figure with its legal basis and the official page it comes from.
Skilled worker: the lowest pay a year before tax for a position that requires a master's degree
NOK 624,700 a year · from 3 October 2026
Official sourceSkilled worker: the lowest pay a year before tax for a position that requires a bachelor's degree
NOK 545,400 a year · from 3 October 2026
Official sourceUDI fee: residence permit for work, applicant over 18 (first application or renewal)
NOK 6,300 · from 3 October 2026
Official sourcePAYE for foreign workers: the income a year it applies below
NOK 725,050 · from 1 January 2026
Official sourceStaying longer
Faster routes and settling
Early employment start (tidlig arbeidsstart)
a complete skilled-worker application from an employer in Norway, for someone with a university or university-college education: the police's confirmation lets the person start work before UDI decides
Permanent residence: after 3 years
- Three years of continuous residence on permits that lead to permanent residence (a skilled worker's does)
- No more than seven months outside Norway in total during those years
Citizenship: after 8 years
- Eight years of residence in Norway, or a shorter period for the groups the rules name
- The other conditions UDI sets out (identity, language and social studies, conduct)
Authorities
Who does what in Norway
UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration)
Decides residence permits for work and seasonal work (Utlendingsdirektoratet)
Official websiteSkatteetaten (Norwegian Tax Administration)
The ID check, the National Population Register, the tax deduction card and the PAYE scheme
Official websiteOther countries
Official sources
- UDI: the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingsdirektoratet)
- UDI, want to apply: skilled workers (the job, the education, pay at least NOK 624,700 a year with a master's degree, NOK 545,400 with a bachelor's degree)
- UDI: pay and working conditions in Norway (the collective wage rate, or what is normal for the occupation and place)
- UDI, frequently asked questions about residence permits for skilled workers (the employer applying with written authorisation; losing the job: the police within 7 days, up to 6 months to look for a new one)
- UDI: early employment start (a complete skilled-worker application, at least a three-year university or university-college education, the police's confirmation)
- UDI, fees (residence permit for work, over 18: NOK 6,300)
- UDI: power of attorney / authorisation
- UDI: the Application Portal (application, fee, cover letter, appointment)
- UDI: provide your fingerprints and facial photograph (the police order the residence card; it comes by post about 20 working days after the permit)
- UDI, want to apply: seasonal workers (no more than 6 months in Norway within 12 months)
- UDI: frequently asked questions about seasonal work
- UDI, want to renew: work immigration (apply at the latest one month before the permit expires to keep its rights)
- UDI: appealing a decision (within 3 weeks of receiving the decision; up to two more weeks for documents)
- Lovdata, the Public Administration Act (forvaltningsloven) § 29: three weeks to appeal from notice of the decision
- UDI: registration certificate for EU/EEA nationals (stays of more than three months; Nordic citizens notify the National Population Register only)
FAQ
Questions, answered.
What is the minimum salary for a work permit in Norway?
Skilled worker: the lowest pay a year before tax for a position that requires a master's degree: NOK 624,700 a year (from 3 October 2026). Skilled worker: the lowest pay a year before tax for a position that requires a bachelor's degree: NOK 545,400 a year (from 3 October 2026). UDI fee: residence permit for work, applicant over 18 (first application or renewal): NOK 6,300 (from 3 October 2026).
Who issues work permits in Norway?
UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration): Decides residence permits for work and seasonal work (Utlendingsdirektoratet).
When can someone get permanent residence in Norway?
After 3 years on most routes. Three years of continuous residence on permits that lead to permanent residence (a skilled worker's does). No more than seven months outside Norway in total during those years.
When can someone get citizenship in Norway?
After 8 years on most routes. Eight years of residence in Norway, or a shorter period for the groups the rules name. The other conditions UDI sets out (identity, language and social studies, conduct).
How does Settio help with work permits in Norway?
Settio builds the step-by-step plan for each person moving to Norway, checks documents before filing, tracks deadlines and gives the person a portal in their own language.
More
- Relocating to Norway: the first weeks
- Relocation and immigration across Europe
- AI immigration compliance
Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Facts checked 3 October 2026. About this information