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The Norwegian skilled worker visa or the long stay visa allows you to work more than 90 days. This visa is issued in the form of a residence permit. You can get it for skilled work, seasonal work, job seeking, organisational work, or if you are a performer, musician, or artist. However, irrespective of the work you will be engaged in you need to know the Noway work visa requirements in detail. Even if you skip 1 requirement your visa will not be issued. Therefore, it is important to know about the work visa requirements. This blog covers everything to know about Norwegian work visa requirements. Keep reading to know more.
This Blog Includes:
- What Do the Norway Work Visa Requirements Include?
- Norway Work Visa Types
- Norway Work Visa Requirements for a Skilled Worker
- Distinct Eligibility Requirements for Skilled Workers
- Norway Work Visa Requirements: Documents
- Norway Skilled Worker Requirements: Finances
- How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Norway Visa?
- Minimum Salary Requirement for a Skilled Worker
- How Much Does a Norway Visa Cost?
- How Long Does a Norway Work Visa Processing Take?
- Is IELTS Required for Norway Work Visa?
- Where to Send the Norway Skilled Worker Visa Application?
- Is Norway Visa Easy to Obtain?
- FAQs
What Do the Norway Work Visa Requirements Include?
The Norwegian work visa requirements include the following:
- You need to meet the eligibility criteria for the specific work visa
- You need to have sufficient documents to prove that you are eligible to work in Norway
- Additionally, you need to meet the financial requirements for the visa
Note: Your employer or other sponsor can apply for the Long Stay Visa on your behalf.
Norway Work Visa Types
To understand the work visa requirements, you must know the types of work visas. Therefore we have provided you with the work visa types available in Norway.
| Types of Norway Work Visas | Description |
| Skilled worker | You must have completed higher education as a nurse or engineer or completed your vocational training. You need a job offer letter to apply for this. Those who have their own business can also apply. |
| Seasonal workers | You are planning to undertake seasonal work in Norway. For example, agricultural work, forestry work, restaurant work, working in the fish processing industry, or tourism industry. |
| Job seeker | You want to enter Norway to look for work |
| Exchange programmes, culture and organisational work | To work in an organisation, or to participate in an exchange programme. The visa is also given to artists, musicians and performers |
| Vocational training and research | To enter the country to conduct research or for vocational training |
Note: Norway also offers separate residence permits to employees of foreign companies in another EU/EEA country, diplomats, military personnel & their families, and seafarers. If you come under this category and want to know the requirements visit the official website (UDI).
Norway Work Visa Requirements for a Skilled Worker
The Norwegian work visa requirements differ based on the type of skilled work. The basic eligibility requirements applicable to all skilled workers are provided below:
- A vocational training program for 3 years (carpenter or a healthcare worker),
- Degree from a university– For example, BA in Nursing/Engineering.
- Special qualifications or skills. You must be a person with high competence
Learn About the Norway Student Visa Requirements For International Students
Distinct Eligibility Requirements for Skilled Workers
Apart from the above qualifications the Norway work visa requirements include specific requirements based on your purpose of stay. These requirements are provided below:
| Type of Skilled Work | Distinct Eligibility Requirements |
| Skilled worker with an employer in Norway | A full-time worker with a standard pay. You must have received a job offer letter from one employer |
| Employees of International companies who are visiting for an assignment to the Norwegian branch of the company | International company’s employees must have a contract with a company in Norway. This must be to carry out work assignments. |
| Employees of a Norway company visiting the country for a work assignment | The employee of the Norway company must have a contract with a company in Norway. This must be to carry out work assignments. |
| Coaches or athletes | Top-level sports job offer letter from an employer in Norway. |
| Offshore workers | Contract for working in the mobile installation in the Norwegian area. |
| Religious leaders, teachers | A full-time worker with a standard pay. You must have received a job offer letter from one employer. Your salary must be at least NOK 310 070 per year pre-tax. |
| Self-employed individuals with a Noway company | The business must be your sole proprietorship. It cannot be a limited company. Moreover, you agree to work only in this company |
| Self-employed individuals with a foreign company | The business must be your sole proprietorship. It cannot be a limited company. Moreover, you agree to work only in this company. You need to have a contract to carry out your business in Norway |
Norway Work Visa Requirements: Documents
The Norway work visa requirements include the submission of necessary documents. The general documents you need to submit are as follows:
- Passport– That is valid beyond the duration of your stay
- Application form- Completed long-stay visa (MVV) application form. The application from must be signed from the application portal
- Photographs- 1 recent passport-size photographs against a white background
- Proof of accommodation- Proof that you have arranged your stay in Norway
- Employment Offer Letter– Completed UDI offer of employment form
- Employment Contract-Submit your work contract or business contract as applicable.
- Salary– Your salary must meet the standard salary paid to an employee for the job in Norway. It must not be less than the basic pay.
- Proof of educational qualification- Submit proof that you meet the educational qualification required for the skilled worker visa
- Proof of work experience- You need to submit documents proving that you have the work experience required for the job, if any. Additionally, you must provide your resume.
- Employer submission of documents– Proof that the employer can apply for the visa on your behalf. For example, the power of attorney form from the UDI website.
- Proof of residence permit: Proof that you have obtained a residency permit from any other country, and have stayed there legally for 6 months. You only require this if you are submitting your application from any other country than India.
- UDI’s checklist: The checklist is available on the UDI website. You need to fill out the same and sign it.
- Explanation for working for more than 1 employer-Submit relevant documents if you are planning to work for more than 1 employer
- Explanation for not engaging in continuous work -Give an explanation or documents as a reason for not engaging in continuous employment.
- Documents for authorised work: If you are engaging in authorised work recognised by a relevant authority provide documents for the same.
- Additional documents– Any other additional documents depending on work purpose
Note: The application for a Norway skilled worker visa submission must take place at least 3 months early, Moreover, all documents must be submitted in either Norwegian or English.
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Norway Skilled Worker Requirements: Finances
As a skilled worker, you need to meet the financial requirements for the visa. That is, you must have the following:
- You must have a minimum bank balance for the duration of your stay
- You must earn enough salary to get the long stay visa
- Additionally, you have funds to pay your visa fees
How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Norway Visa?
When you apply for a long-stay visa you may be asked to demonstrate your bank statements. Therefore, you must ensure that you have minimum funds available.
| Visa Type | Minimum Bank Balance |
| Long stay Visa (MVV | NOK 128,887 |
Note: You need to contact the UDI/employer/Visa application centre to confirm. Since you are a skilled worker you may not require this amount.
Minimum Salary Requirement for a Skilled Worker
UDI clearly states that one of the Norway work visa requirements is to have a minimum salary. However, the minimum salary requirement for each type of skilled work might differ. We have provided the same below
| Type of Skilled Work | Minimum Salary Requirement |
| Skilled worker with an employer in Norway | NOK 448 900 per year pre-tax |
| Employees of International companies who are visiting for an assignment to the Norwegian branch of the company | Not available |
| Employees of a Norway company visiting the country for a work assignment | NOK 448 900 per year pre-tax |
| Coaches or athletes | Not applicable |
| Offshore workers | New company- Provide an overview of all the expected expenses for 1 year. Established company – Last 12 months of business bank statements must be presented |
| Religious leaders, teachers | NOK 310 070 |
| Self-employed individuals with a Noway company | New company- Provide an overview of all the expected expenses for 1 year.Established company – Last 12 months of business bank statements must be presented |
| Self-employed individuals with a foreign company | Just prove that this is not a limited company and that you solely own it. |
Note: In any case, the income you are earning must not be less than what anyone else with the occupation would earn. The employer must provide you at least the minimum amount of salary for the job.
Learn about the Norway Skilled Worker Shortage in this video:
How Much Does a Norway Visa Cost?
The Norway work visa fees for Indian nationals are provided below. The standard fees apply to a work visa irrespective of the type of skilled work. You may also have to pay additional fees to your visa facilitation provider.
| Application Type | Visa Application Fee |
| Residence permits for work (also renewals) | NOK 6 300 |
| Group permit for employers (per worker) | NOK 6 300 |
| Au pair permit (also renewals) | NOK 9 300 |
| Permit for researchers with own funds | NOK 5 400 |
This means as a skilled worker you need a visa application fee of NOK 6300. The fee can be paid using a Visa or Master card.
How Long Does a Norway Work Visa Processing Take?
Your visa application is only processed if you meet the above Norway work visa requirements. The processing time is provided below:
| Type of Skilled Work | Processing Time |
| Skilled worker | 2 months to view your application |
| Seasonal workers | 2 months to view your application |
| Job seeker | 2 months to view your application |
| Exchange programmes, culture and organisational work | 2 months to view your application |
| Vocational training and research | 2 months to view your application |
The Norway embassy or consulate receives a huge number of applications. Therefore, applications that require submission of educational documents can take longer time. In case any documents are missing the embassy/consulate will contact you. If additional information is not required the application is processed quickly.
Is IELTS Required for Norway Work Visa?
No. You do not need to submit your IELTS score for a long stay visa application. In fact, submission of any English language proficiency test is not required. However, you may need to present your English language scores to get a job in Norway. The most popular langues spoken in Norway is English or Norwegian.
Where to Send the Norway Skilled Worker Visa Application?
The Norway skilled worker visa application is processed through any of the following. Ensure that you apply at least 3 months in advance. You must meet all the norway work visa requirements before applying.
- Embassy/consulate or Visa Application Centre abroad
- with the Norwegian police
- Service centre for foreign workers (SUA)
Is Norway Visa Easy to Obtain?
You can get the Norway skilled worker visa as long as you are eligible. At present, the Norway visa application rejection rate is 8.7%. This means that a majority of the visa applications are accepted. To increase your chances of visa approval ensure that you submit all the documents. Moreover, all the information provided must be accurate.
FAQs
Yes. An Indian national can work in Norway. They can apply as a skilled worker, a job seeker, an employee in an organisation, a religious worker, or a sportsperson or athlete.
To get a work visa in Norway ensure that you have received a job offer letter. Moreover, you must be paid a decent salary. The salary must be the same that anyone else in the position will receive. You also need to meet the skilled worker visa requirements. The application for a working visa can be made through VFS Global.
Norway does not have a minimum wage criteria. The wage you receive is agreed between you and your employer. However, if you are applying as a skilled worker you need at least NOK 448 900 per year pre-tax.
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We hope you now understand the Norway work visa requirements. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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