If you are looking to move to another country, Norway is a destination worth considering. With low unemployment and a high overall quality of life, the country is a comfortable place to live that offers attractive job opportunities for people working in IT or engineering. Find out how to get a work visa to the state and which specialists are in short supply in Norway

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In 2024, Norway will experience labor shortages in more than 190 occupations. The deficit is distributed among many sectors of the economy. Also, given the country's high standard of living and strong social sphere, Norway attracts thousands of expats.

Foreigners who plan to live and work in Norway must obtain a work visa before moving. Find out what the procedure for obtaining a permit is and which specialists will find it easier to get a work visa to Norway in 2024.

Work visa to Norway

The most common type of Norwegian work visa is the skilled worker visa. It is issued to foreigners who have a higher education, an appropriate level of qualification and have found a job with a Norwegian employer. Also, it is worth noting that despite the fact that a foreigner issues a "work visa", he receives a residence permit for work, a document that also allows him to stay in the country on legal grounds.

Requirements for obtaining a work visa to Norway

To apply for a skilled worker visa in Norway, a foreigner must meet a number of requirements:

- You must confirm your own qualification level: higher education, special qualification, work experience in the field of employment.

- Find a job with a Norwegian employer and sign a contract with them. It is important that a foreigner finds a full-time job.

- The salary level for the vacancy corresponds to the average in Norway.

- You are 18 years old.

- You do not have a criminal past.

List of documents for obtaining a Norwegian work visa

- Passport, as well as photocopies of all its completed pages.

- Application for a work visa to Norway.

- Two recent passport-size photos on a white background.

- Confirmation of housing in Norway - for example, a rental agreement, etc.

- Employment offer form – filled out by the employer, you can download the form on the UDI website.

- Confirmation that your salary level meets the income requirements.

- Confirmation of your level of education - diploma, confirmation of the relevant degree, etc.

- Documents from your previous employers detailing the type of work you did, how long you worked and your qualifications.

- Summary.

- Power of attorney, if the application is submitted on your behalf by the employer.

- Additional documents depending on personal circumstances.

It is necessary that the documents you submit are original and have a copy. If the employer submits the application on your behalf, just copies are sufficient.

If the language of the document is not English or Norwegian, they must have a qualified translation.

You can apply for a visa at the Norwegian embassy or visa center in your country of residence or by sending the documents to your employer, if he will make the application on your behalf.

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How long does it take to get a Norwegian work visa?

After submitting a package of documents, application processing can take up to 8 weeks.

How long does it take to issue a Norwegian work visa?

A Norwegian work visa (ie residence permit for work) is valid for two years. You can apply to extend it before it expires, for another two years. Then, after three years of continuous residence in Norway, you can apply for a permanent residence permit, which is valid for an unlimited period of time.

Can I move to Norway with my family?

A foreigner can move to Norway with his family. For this, family members must issue a separate permit - a Norwegian family visa.

The following can join a foreigner in Norway: spouse, children under the age of 18, and children over the age of 18 if they are financially dependent on you.

To bring dependent family members with you to Norway, you must earn at least NOK 264,264 per year before taxes (approximately US$29,000).

What positions do foreigners work in Norway?

In 2024, many sectors in the Norwegian economy will experience a shortage of workers. Among them are hospitality, hotel and restaurant sector, IT, health care, construction and mechanical engineering. This means that foreigners who have one of the scarce occupations and wish to move to Norway may have a better chance of getting a job and a Norwegian work visa.

- What are the most popular jobs in Norway?

The Norwegian economy is experiencing a shortage of the following specialists: workers in waste processing plants, kitchen assistants, operators of cranes, lifts and related installations, butchers, staff in fish shops and related food producers, metal structure installers, floor and tile installers, security guards, maintenance staff at service stations, waiters, contact center workers, veterinarians and assistants, musicians, singers and composers, system administrators, special needs teachers, medical specialists, mechanical engineers, education managers, policy and planning managers.

In addition, Norway has an acute shortage of doctors, both specialists and generalists, as well as midwives and nurses.

- It will be difficult for expats with which professions to find a job in Norway

In addition to the shortage of vacancies, the Norwegian government reported seven occupations experiencing a surplus of specialists: loaders, vehicle cleaners, building guards, beauticians and related workers, stock clerks, administrators, graphic and multimedia designers.

Other types of work visas to Norway

In addition to the highly qualified worker visa, expats can apply for one of the following visas to move to Norway:

- Working Holiday Visa – a working holiday visa to Norway, which is available to citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The visa allows successful applicants to work and live in Norway for 12 months as part of a tour of the country. To obtain a permit, a candidate must be between the ages of 18 and 31 (up to 35 for Canadian citizens).

- Norwegian seasonal work visa – for foreigners who plan to work part-time or in a job that can be performed exclusively during a certain period of time, season of the year or to replace the main employee, etc. To get a permit, you must have a job offer and get confirmation from the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV) before applying.

- Norwegian jobseeker's visa - this permit is given to qualified workers who have completed their studies in Norway. Such a visa will allow them to stay in Norway without a job offer to look for.

- A work visa for creative people is a short-term visa for artists, performers or musicians who will give concerts or performances in Norway. The maximum allowed stay is 14 days.

Norway consistently ranks among the happiest countries in the world thanks to robust social security systems, high levels of trust and equality in society, and the priority it places on work-life balance. Another advantage of the country for an expat is a high level of earnings and career prospects. That is why employment here can be a good stage in a foreigner's career.

We will remind you! Singapore has updated the procedure for obtaining a work permit and simplified the rules for obtaining a residence permit based on a student visa. Read this article about what will change for expats and when the new rules will come into effect.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.

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