Moving to Oslo (or anywhere in Norway) is an exciting adventure, but before you start dreaming about cozy evenings in your candlelit apartment or weekend hikes in Nordmarka, there’s one thing you need to sort out first: your residence permit. Norway has specific rules for who can live and work in the country, depending on your nationality, skills, and reason for moving.

This guide will walk you through the most common types of residence permits, how to apply, processing times, and what you need to know about the path to permanent residency and citizenship.

Do You Need a Residence Permit or Visa?

Your need for a visa or residence permit depends on your nationality and the purpose of your stay.

  • EU/EEA Citizens: You do not need a residence permit to live and work in Norway, but you must register with the police if you plan to stay for more than three months.
  • Non-EU/EEA Citizens: Most people from outside the EU/EEA will need a residence permit if they want to stay in Norway for longer than 90 days.

For short-term visits (up to 90 days), some non-EU/EEA citizens may need a visa. You can check the visa requirements for your country here.

(Photo by Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels)

Common Types of Residence Permits in Norway

Norway offers several types of residence permits depending on your circumstances. Below are the most common ones:

1. Work Permit (Residence Permit for Work Purposes)

If you’re planning to work in Norway, you’ll need a work permit. The most common work permits include:

  • Skilled Worker Permit: For those with higher education or vocational training in a skilled occupation. You must have a job offer with a salary that meets Norwegian standards.
  • Seasonal Worker Permit: For those who wish to work in agriculture, forestry, tourism, or fisheries for a short period.
  • Job Seeker Visa for Skilled Workers: If you are a skilled worker and want to come to Norway to look for work, you can apply for this temporary visa.

Processing Time: Work permits generally take 1-3 months to process, but delays can happen.

Find more details on work permits here.

2. Family Immigration Permit

If you have a family member in Norway, you may be eligible for a family immigration permit.

Who can apply:

  • Spouses, registered partners, or cohabitants of a Norwegian resident or citizen.
  • Children under 18 of a Norwegian resident.
  • Parents applying to live with their child in Norway.

Processing Time: 3-6 months

Read more about family immigration permits here.

(Photo by Ludvig Hedenborg, Pexels)

3. Student Permit

If you plan to study at a Norwegian university or attend a Norwegian language course, you need a student permit.

Requirements:

  • Admission to a full-time accredited educational program.
  • Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself (approx. 137,907 NOK per year as of 2024).
  • Proof of accommodation in Norway.

Processing Time: 1-3 months

More information is available here.

4. Au Pair Permit

For young people (18-30 years old) who want to experience Norwegian culture by living with a Norwegian family and helping with childcare and light household duties.

Processing Time: 2-3 months

Check the requirements here.

A young child enjoys reading with a caregiver on a cozy sofa, creating a warm family atmosphere.
(Photo by Kaboompics.com, Pexels)

5. Asylum and Protection

If you are fleeing persecution or war, you can apply for asylum in Norway. The process involves an interview, documentation, and an assessment by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

More details on asylum applications can be found here.

Applying for a Residence Permit

Step 1: Determine Your Permit Type

Before applying, check which residence permit you qualify for based on your nationality and reason for moving.

A focused woman in glasses and headphones works on a laptop from a cozy bed.
(Photo by Ivan Samkov)

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

Most applications require:

  • Passport and copies of all used pages.
  • Employment contract or admission letter (for work or study permits).
  • Proof of funds (for students or self-sufficient applicants).
  • Housing documentation.
  • Health insurance (if required).

Step 3: Submit an Online Application

All residence permits must be applied for online through the UDI website. If applying from abroad, you’ll need to visit a Norwegian embassy or consulate to submit biometrics.

Apply online here.

Step 4: Attend an Appointment

Once you submit your application, you may need to attend an appointment at the nearest police station or embassy to verify your documents and provide fingerprints.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Processing times vary by application type and nationality, but expect to wait anywhere from 1-6 months.

Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

Permanent Residency

After living legally in Norway for three years (some permits require five years), you may apply for permanent residency.

Requirements:

  • Continuous residence in Norway.
  • Completed mandatory Norwegian language and social studies courses (if applicable).
  • No serious criminal record.
  • Financial self-sufficiency.

More details on permanent residency here.

(Photo by Jędrzej Koralewski, Pexels)

Norwegian Citizenship

After eight years of legal residence (or seven years for refugees), you can apply for Norwegian citizenship.

Requirements:

  • Passed a Norwegian language test.
  • Passed a social studies test.
  • No serious criminal record.

Unlike before, Norway now allows dual citizenship, meaning you can keep your original nationality if your home country permits it.

More details on citizenship here.

Final Thoughts

Getting a residence permit in Norway requires patience and paperwork, but once you navigate the system, you’ll gain access to one of the world’s best qualities of life. Whether you’re coming for work, study, or family, understanding the process is the first step to making your Norwegian dream a reality!

For the most up-to-date and official information, always check the UDI website.

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