Visas

All foreign nationals are required to hold a valid travel document to enter Norway. In the case of EEA nationals, a national Identity card is usually sufficient, while other nationals must hold a passport which is valid for at least three months beyond their planned length of stay in Norway, and may also require a visa. Details of the countries whose nationals do not require a visa to enter Norway for periods of less than three months can be found on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website.

Work Permits

With the exception of the citizens of other Scandinavian countries, all foreign nationals are required to obtain a work permit in order to take up employment in Norway. EEA citizens are allowed to enter Norway to seek employment for a period of up to six months, provided they can show evidence of sufficient funds to cover the cost of their stay, and can apply for a work permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) from within the country. Other nationals must apply for a work permit from the Norwegian Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin before entering Norway to take up employment, unless they already hold a visa, residence or work permit to live in Norway for at least three months, or a short-term jobseekers visa. Alternatively, the employer in Norway can apply for the work permit on behalf of the applicant.

Different types of work permits are issued to people in different occupational groups, and are normally issued in accordance with strict quotas and skills/qualification requirements. If offering a job to a non-EEA national, the employer will be required to confirm that the post cannot be filled by a suitably qualified Norwegian or other EEA national.