Norway, with its stunning fjords, high quality of life, and strong welfare system, continues to attract immigrants from around the world. As of 2026, the immigration process is managed primarily by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). If you’re planning to move, you need to understand the available visas and residence permits.
*Note that rules can vary based on your nationality—EU/EEA citizens have simpler processes, while third-country nationals face more requirements.
Types of Visas and Residence Permits
Norway offers a range of temporary residence permits (midlertidig oppholdstillatelse) tailored to different purposes, which can often lead to longer-term stays. These are distinct from short-term visitor visas (up to 90 days in 180 days for Schengen area access). For stays beyond 90 days, non-EU/EEA citizens typically need a residence permit. Here’s an overview of the main categories:
1. Work Permits.
These are among the most common for professionals. Subtypes include:
- Skilled Worker Permit: For those with higher education, vocational training, or specialized skills. You will need a job offer with a salary meeting minimum thresholds (e.g., NOK 522,600 for bachelor’s level or NOK 599,200 for master’s level as of September 2025).
- Seasonal Worker/Short-Term Permit: For temporary jobs like agriculture or tourism, limited to six months.
- Self-Employed/Assignment/Intracompany Transfer: For business owners, freelancers, or employees transferred within a company.
2. Family Immigration Permits
For reuniting with family members already in Norway, such as spouses, children, or parents. The sponsor (reference person) must meet income and housing requirements. (See below).
3. Student Permits
For those accepted to a Norwegian educational institution. Requires proof of admission, sufficient funds (NOK 166,859 per year for 2025/2026), and housing. Valid for the duration of studies.
4. Au Pair Permits
For young people (18-30) to live with a host family, providing childcare in exchange for room, board, and pocket money. Limited to two years.
5. Protection (Asylum) Permits
For refugees or those needing humanitarian protection, based on persecution risks in the home country.
6. Other Specialized Permits
Including for researchers, athletes, religious workers, or cultural exchanges.
*EU/EEA citizens don’t need a permit but must register with the police within three months if staying longer than that. Applications are submitted online via the UDI portal, often requiring biometrics at a Norwegian embassy or VFS center.
Which One is the Easiest to Obtain?
“Easiest” depends on your background, but for many non-EU/EEA applicants, the Skilled Worker Permit stands out as relatively easy if you qualify. Norway has a demand for skilled professionals in fields like IT, engineering, healthcare, and oil/gas, making job offers more accessible through networks or job portals like NAV. Processing times are typically 1-3 months.
For students, if you’re admitted to a university (many programs are in English and tuition-free for most), this permit is accessible with minimal barriers beyond acceptance and funding proof. Family reunification can be easier if your sponsor meets the criteria, but recent changes (detailed below) have made it tougher.
Seasonal permits are simple for short-term work but don’t lead to permanent options. Overall, avoid visitor visas for long-term plans, as overstaying leads to bans.
Government Changes in 2025 That Affected Residency
In 2025, Norway made its immigration rules stricter. This was due to worries about too many arrivals, better integration, and long-term sustainability.
- Higher income needed for family immigration: From February 2025, the person in Norway must earn at least about NOK 400,000–416,000 per year to bring family members. This made it harder for lower-earning sponsors.
- Tougher rules for Ukrainians: Norway granted collective protection to fewer people from Ukraine and excluded those from “safe” areas.
- Higher salary requirements for skilled workers: From September 2025, minimum pay for work permits increased (e.g., higher for bachelor’s or master’s degrees) to match normal Norwegian wages.
- Changes to permanent residency language rules: From September 2025, applicants must pass an oral Norwegian test at A2 level and a social studies test. They no longer need to complete full courses, which simplified things for some but required proven skills.
Overall, these changes made family reunification and some asylum paths harder. However, they had less impact on skilled workers in high-demand jobs. The goal was controlled, sustainable immigration.
Maria Markes 