Visa Types — Norway

Norway Visa & Immigration Categories

*Note: Norway is not an EU member but is part of the EEA/Schengen Area. For non-EU/EEA nationals, "visas" for long-term stays are technically called residence permits (oppholdstillatelse), administered by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). EU/EEA/Swiss nationals use a simpler registration system rather than applying for a residence permit. All figures below are estimates based on recent UDI fee schedules — verify current costs and timelines at udi.no before applying, as fees are typically adjusted annually (usually in January).*

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EU/EEA/Swiss Registration Certificate

Who it's for: Citizens of EU/EEA/Swiss countries moving to Norway for work, study, family, or self-employment.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid passport/national ID
• Proof of purpose of stay (job offer, enrollment, sufficient funds)
• Must register with police/UDI if staying longer than 3 months

Processing time: Same day to a few days (in-person appointment required)

Cost: Free (NOK 0 / $0)

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Skilled Worker Residence Permit

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals with a job offer in Norway requiring specific qualifications (degree or specialized vocational training).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Concrete job offer from a Norwegian employer
• Relevant education (min. 3-year higher education or vocational qualification) or specialized skills
• Salary must meet industry standards
• Full-time position (in most cases)

Processing time:

• Standard: 4–10 weeks
• Faster track via SUA (Service Centre for Foreign Workers): as little as 1–2 weeks in some cases

Cost:

• NOK 6,300 (~$590 USD)
• Reduced fee sometimes applies for Service Centre applications

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Job Seeker Permit for Skilled Workers

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals with a completed higher education degree who want to travel to Norway to look for skilled work or start a business.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Completed degree (bachelor's or higher) from an accredited institution
• Sufficient funds to support yourself (approx. NOK 137,000+/year, subject to change)
• No right to work during this period until a job offer is secured and converted to a skilled worker permit

Processing time: 4–8 weeks

Cost: NOK 6,300 (~$590 USD)

Validity: Up to 6 months, non-renewable

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Seasonal Worker Permit

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals coming for short-term seasonal work (e.g., agriculture, tourism, fish processing).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Job offer for seasonal work
• Permit limited to specific employer/sector
• Maximum stay of 6 months within a 12-month period

Processing time: 2–6 weeks

Cost: NOK 6,300 (~$590 USD)

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Self-Employed Person's Permit

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals planning to run their own business or work as a freelancer in Norway.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Registered business in Norway (e.g., sole proprietorship or partnership)
• Business must be viable and generate sufficient income
• Relevant professional qualifications, if applicable

Processing time: 8–12 weeks

Cost: NOK 6,300 (~$590 USD)

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Study Residence Permit

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals admitted to a full-time educational program at a Norwegian institution.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Letter of admission from an approved Norwegian institution
• Proof of funds (approx. NOK 137,907/year as of recent guidelines — verify current amount)
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance (for non-EEA students)

Processing time: 4–8 weeks (apply at least 3 months before program start)

Cost: NOK 5,900 (~$550 USD)

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Family Immigration (Family Reunification/Establishment)

Who it's for: Spouses, registered partners, cohabitants, children, and in some cases parents of Norwegian citizens or foreign nationals with residence permits in Norway.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, partnership documentation, etc.)
• Sponsor must generally meet income requirement (approx. NOK 320,000–350,000/year gross — subject to annual adjustment)
• Adequate housing
• Both parties generally must be 24+ years old (to prevent forced marriage) for spousal cases
• Future income requirement / maintenance guarantee may apply

Processing time:

• Can range widely: 6–15 months depending on case complexity and applicant's home country

Cost:

• NOK 10,900 (~$1,020 USD) for main applicant
• Additional fees may apply for accompanying family members

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Au Pair Permit

Who it's for: Young foreign nationals (18–29) wishing to live with a Norwegian host family and help with light housework in exchange for room, board, and pocket money.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Au pair contract with host family
• Age 18–29
• No dependents of your own
• Host family must meet financial/housing requirements

Processing time: 4–8 weeks

Cost: NOK 6,300 (~$590 USD)

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Permanent Residence Permit

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals who have held a valid residence permit in Norway continuously for at least 3 years and meet integration requirements.

Key eligibility requirements:

• 3 years of continuous legal residence under qualifying permits
• Completion of required hours of Norwegian language and social studies courses (typically 300+ hours)
• Self-sufficiency (not relying on social assistance)
• No serious criminal record

Processing time: Up to 6 months (sometimes longer due to demand)

Cost: NOK 3,700 (~$345 USD)

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Asylum / Protection (Refugee Status)

Who it's for: Individuals fleeing persecution, war, or serious harm who apply for international protection upon arrival in Norway.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Must apply in person at the National Police Immigration Service (PU) upon arrival
• Demonstrate well-founded fear of persecution or risk of serious harm in home country
• Interview with UDI to assess claim

Processing time:

• Highly variable: several months to 2+ years depending on case complexity and backlog

Cost: Free (NOK 0 / $0)

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Startup/Entrepreneur Visa (Pilot Scheme)

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA entrepreneurs with an innovative business concept wanting to establish a scalable startup in Norway (through Innovation Norway's endorsement pathway).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Approved/endorsed business plan via Innovation Norway
• Sufficient funding to support yourself and the business
• Innovative, scalable business model (not just self-employment)

Processing time: 8–12 weeks

Cost: NOK 6,300 (~$590 USD)

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Summary Table (Approximate)

| Visa/Permit Type | Processing Time | Cost (NOK) | Cost (USD) |

|---|---|---|---|

| EU/EEA Registration | Days | Free | $0 |

| Skilled Worker | 4–10 weeks | 6,300 | ~$590 |

| Job Seeker | 4–8 weeks | 6,300 | ~$590 |

| Seasonal Worker | 2–6 weeks | 6,300 | ~$590 |

| Self-Employed | 8–12 weeks | 6,300 | ~$590 |

| Study Permit | 4–8 weeks | 5,900 | ~$550 |

| Family Immigration | 6–15 months | 10,900 | ~$1,020 |

| Au Pair | 4–8 weeks | 6,300 | ~$590 |

| Permanent Residence | Up to 6 months | 3,700 | ~$345 |

| Asylum | Months–years | Free | $0 |

| Startup/Entrepreneur | 8–12 weeks | 6,300 | ~$590 |

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Important Notes

• Currency conversion uses an approximate rate of 1 USD ≈ 10.7 NOK; actual conversion will fluctuate.
• UDI fees change annually — always confirm current amounts on [udi.no](https://www.udi.no) before submitting an application.
• Processing times are UDI targets under normal circumstances; actual times can be longer during high-demand periods, incomplete applications, or if supporting documentation (e.g., police clearance certificates, apostilles) is required from the applicant's home country.
• Income/maintenance requirements (for family immigration, study permits, etc.) are adjusted periodically based on Norway's basic amount in the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygdens grunnbeløp, or "G") — always check the current G-value, as many thresholds are pegged to it.
• Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are required for most non-EEA applicants and must typically be submitted in person at a Norwegian embassy/consulate or a VFS Global application center in the applicant's home country.
• Language and integration requirements for permanent residence and citizenship are subject to periodic legislative updates — the number of required hours and passing benchmarks (e.g., Norskprøve levels) can change.
• Dual intent and switching permit types (e.g., from student to skilled worker) is possible in many cases but requires a new application and is not automatic.
• Citizenship (statsborgerskap) is a separate process from residence permits, generally requiring 8 years of residence (with some exceptions for those with Norwegian family ties or Nordic citizenship), passed language/social studies tests, and renunciation of prior citizenship in most cases — this was not covered above as it is naturalization rather than immigration, but let me know if you'd like a full breakdown.
• Legal advice: Given the complexity and frequent regulatory changes in Norwegian immigration law, consulting directly with UDI or a licensed Norwegian immigration attorney is strongly recommended for case-specific guidance.

More about immigrating to Norway