Jobs & Work Visa
NorwayJobs & Work Visa
Beautiful fjords and an extremely high standard of living makes Norway one of the top choices for people looking to relocate for work overseas. But how to achieve that? First of all, understanding the visa process is a good place to start. It did you know that the Norway Skilled worker visa is one of the most sought after permits in the world, with an explosion of new permits being issued in cities such as Oslo, which has become a hub for many multinational companies within the tech industry.
If you’re a non-EEA citizen thinking of moving to Norway to work, you might be surprised by just how many opportunities there are. There are plenty of companies in Norway looking for talented individuals, whether in the fields of IT, healthcare or energy. Of course, to move to Norway to work, you'll need to obtain a work visa, whether as a skilled worker or under the seasonal workers’ programme. Salary levels in Norway are generally competitive too. Understanding the tax system and the labour law in Norway can also be important when looking for work in Norway.
EXPERT INSIGHT Many expats who have lived in Norway for over a decade agree that learning Norwegian isn't necessarily necessary but it can definitely lead to better job opportunities and a smoother transition into Norwegian society.
Norway has a range of work visas to suit various needs. Skilled Worker Visa is for people with a job offer from an employer in Norway, and with appropriate qualifications for the job. The application fee is 6,300 NOK. Skilled Worker Visa applications have a very high approval rate in Oslo which is the tech hub of Norway.
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The Seasonal Worker Visa is suitable for temporary work such as in agriculture and tourism and also has the same fee as the Bergen Standard Visa. Many seasonal visas are also issued in Bergen due to the large tourism industry. The Job Seeker Visa also allows for temporary residence in Norway for up to six months to search for employment.
EU/EEA citizens don't need a visa, but immigration rules require them to report to the police to extend their residence permit for more than 3 months. Stavanger is also an important centre for the oil industry, and often experiences a large amount of visa applications for key workers within the energy industry.
Something few people know: Norway has a visa for the highly skilled self-employed, who wish to start a business.
A work visa for Norway can be applied for, but there are a number of requirements that need to be met in order for the application to be considered. The most common requirements are: A job in Norway You must have received a job offer from a Norwegian employer when applying for a skilled worker visa. Qualifications Your qualifications and work experience have to match the requirements of the job.
You must also be able to show that you have financial stability, which normally is demonstrated by having NOK 20 000 available each month. In the tech capital of Norway, Trondheim, there are often requirements for having certain technical qualifications for a visa to be granted.
there's no official requirement to be able to speak Norwegian. However being able to communicate basic phrases can work in your favour. Qualifications may also be required for certain positions in the fishing industry in Tromsø. Having health insurance is also required.
Few people realise this: Speaking and understanding Norwegian or learning to read and write Norwegian can be demanded by employers and will improve your chances on the job market and help your integration.
Processing times vary by location. Oslo applications may take longer due to high volume. Bergen handles seasonal permits in spring. Stavanger prioritizes energy sector applications.
You probably didn’t know that you can now follow the status of your application online via the UDI portal.
Documentation required by employers in Oslo for the IT industry. Tourist jobs in Bergen require documentation of language skills. Certificates in safety training are sometimes requested by oil companies in Stavanger.
Little do people know: A full CV is frequently requested as part of the application process, giving an in depth look at the skills and qualifications of the person applying for the job.
Processing time for Norwegian work visas is approximately 4-6 weeks, depending on the type of visa you apply for and your individual circumstances. The standard application fee for most work visas is NOK 6,300. If speed is of the essence, you can also opt for the expedited processing which will reduce the processing time by half and will incur an extra charge.
Processing times in Oslo may be longer due to high application volume. Applications from the oil and gas sector in Stavanger are typically prioritized. Plan your application 2-3 months ahead during peak seasons.
A little known fact: UDI processing times can extend during peak seasons like summer — plan your application 2-3 months in advance.
Jobs in Norway It’s relatively easy to find work in Norway – particularly in the fields of IT, healthcare and energy. In Oslo, the tech industry is growing fast and employers are searching for highly qualified IT staff. there's also a high level of tech innovation in Trondheim.
Nurses and doctors are in demand across the country, as are IT and engineering staff in Stavanger, the energy heartland of western Norway, the world's largest oil and gas region. While the summer season brings an influx of temporary work in tourism and hospitality in Bergen and Tromsø.
You probably don’t know this: In Norway, the green energy sector is booming. Creating jobs along the way and ensuring a greener future for all.
Salaries in Norway are generally high and often the same as those paid in other European countries that seek to attract highly skilled foreign workers. The salaries in Norway may not fully compensate for the high standard of living but they're satisfactory. The average salary for an IT worker in Norway is around NOK 650,000 per year. Salaries are lower in the regions than in Oslo.
Nurses earn roughly NOK 550,000 a year, while engineers get around NOK 700,000 annually. Although salaries may be lower in the tourism industry of Bergen, some jobs offer free accommodation.
Every so often, Stavanger comes across a advert or two for jobs in the oil industry with rather lucrative bonuses. Few people realise that basic salaries in Norway often include a whole bunch of additional benefits, including pension contributions.
Income tax rates are between 22 and 38 per cent. In addition to this, employers pay 14.1 per cent to the state as social insurance. Welfare for citizens is therefore very high in Norway.
Some costs can be deducted for taxation. Examples include travel expenses, meals and the cost of setting up a home office. It is well known that Oslo has higher cost of living, which will affect your net income. Please note that local taxation can differ a little bit between municipalities, depending on local taxation decisions in Bergen etc.
Most people are unaware of the fact that in Norway charitable giving to approved charities is actually tax deductible. Hence, Norwegians have a financial incentive to be even more generous.
Labour law in Norway The BRL states that the normal working hours shall be 37.5 hours per week. The BRL doesn't include a national minimum wage. it's set by collective wage agreements in each industry.
Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual paid holiday. Some of Norway’s major tech companies in Oslo have adopted flexible working hours. In Bergen, tourism is an important industry and this often involves working non-standard hours, which is often compensated for with overtime pay.
You probably aren’t aware that Norway has strong labor unions that set workplace standards and negotiate wages. Guess where that leaves workplace standards in Norway.
It will take some time for you to arrive at a Permanent residence permit in Norway. here's a starting point: If you hold a work visa you have to spend at least 3 years in Norway, (more on that further down). Another important one: Knowledge of Norwegian basic language skills, and you must be able to prove that you have sufficient funding.
Learn Norwegian and you can apply for residence more quickly Language courses are available in Oslo and There are many language schools in Oslo where you can practice your speaking and writing skills. Additionally, There are offices in Bergen and many of Bergen’s city centers that work with integration for new citizens.
Few people know this: After finishing a Norwegian language course you'll be able to get your residency permit more quickly. This is a very important factor to consider if you plan to live in Norway long term.
New digital application system launched to simplify visa processing.
Visa fees increased by 5% to accommodate administrative costs.
New incentives for work visas in renewable energy sectors introduced.
Important documents To have a smooth application process, it's vital to understand the qualification criteria for the work visa. First of all: A job offer from an employer in Norway is a must. Other than that there are other requirements for qualification. In tech heavy cities like Trondheim certain technical certifications may be required for qualification.
All applicants must provide documentation that they can finance their own living expenses. The level for living expenses for applying asylum seekers is set to NOK 20 000 per month. Information on living expenses is to be provided in the application. In Oslo, however, many applicants have rather elaborate accounts and there are experiences of applicants who in vain have tried to save up money to be able to apply to come to Norway.
Health insurance is a requirement for work visa holders. International health insurance designed for the Norwegian healthcare system is strongly recommended. Learning basic Norwegian is also strongly advised, especially for healthcare roles in cities like Tromsø.
Cost of living in Norway can vary depending on the city and even neighbourhood. For example, the cost of living in Oslo is much higher than in other cities such as Trondheim. If you're living alone in Oslo, you should budget at least NOK 12,000 each month for food, transportation, leisure activities, etc. excluding rent. In Trondheim, the costs are somewhat lower and amount to approximately NOK 10,500 each month excluding rent.
Rent is one of the largest costs when you have to pay for your accommodation. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Bergen can be rented for around NOK 14,000 each month. Stavanger, the oil capital of Norway, has similar rent prices, but may vary from one location to another, depending on how far away you're from the oil industry.
The Norwegian cities generally have good and well-functioning public transportation. An example of the cost for a monthly public transportation ticket in Oslo is approximately NOK 800, while it's around NOK 600 in smaller cities like Tromsø.
Finding a job in Norway needs a strategy. Using websites such as Finn.no and Nav.no is a good place to start. This page contains links that will take you to various online job boards and career resources. In Stavanger, attending a few of the many industry targeted job fairs that occur here throughout the year can get you connected to many different employers in the oil industry.
Studying a language can make your job search more efficient. As experts mentioned before, learning even a basic level of Norwegian can already make a difference in how employers look at you. You can also try to make the most out of social media platforms, for example by connecting with Norwegians on LinkedIn to discover other job opportunities and networks.
Job fairs for seasonal work in tourism in Bergen might be a good opportunity for you to meet employers. Remember to adjust your CV to Norwegian labour market conventions – usually means keeping it brief and relevant.
Coming into the Norwegian work culture can be challenging. here's a bit about the culture and some tips for coming to Oslo to work for an international company. Working in Norway and in particular in Oslo can be difficult to get used to. It's a very equal society with very flat hierarchies.
Bad weather is yet another obstacle to cope with. If you’re not used to harsh winter weather it might be a good idea to invest in proper winter clothing. Cities can affect your mental health negatively and therefore very important to socialise to keep high levels of energy and good humors.
One of the many problems faced by foreigners is the taxation system. Norway is one of the heaviest taxed countries in the world, and the taxation system is based on a progressive system. Therefore it's highly recommended that foreigners in Stavanger get in touch with a tax advisor or accountant. Because of the high wages in the oil industry, it can be quite complicated to compute and understand the final taxation of the wage.
Relocating to a new area can be a daunting prospect, and it’s important to take steps to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. One way to do this is to engage with the community in which you're moving to. Many expats in Bergen find that connecting with other like-minded people through expat groups, is an excellent way to learn the local way of life. Participating in local cultural events is another way to help you get settled in to your new home.
One might also like to open a Norwegian bank account to handle finances as this might be easier than using the exchange office or going to the post office to get paid or move money, and all banks in Trondheim have services tailored for expats. In terms of cost control, familiarizing oneself with the supermarkets and local food shops in the area where one intends to live may be an important factor in budget planning.
City | Monthly Expenses (NOK) | 1BR Rent (NOK) | Monthly Expenses (USD) | Monthly Expenses (INR)
Oslo | 12,500 | 15,000 | $1,180 | ₹98,500
Bergen | 11,000 | 14,000 | $1,040 | ₹86,700
Stavanger | 11,000 | 14,000 | $1,040 | ₹86,700
Trondheim | 10,500 | 12,000 | $990 | ₹82,800
Tromsø | 10,000 | 10,000 | $945 | ₹78,800
Table 1: Cost of living in Norway by city Moving to Norway is still a challenging prospect for many when they think about the cost of living in Norway. While Everyone has their own idea of what a cost of living table should look like, this table here offers a brief view of how costs differ from city to city.
The Norwegian cities each have a strong focus in different industry fields. Oslo is the capital of Norway and is particularly focused towards the fields of technology and finance. As a capital city, Oslo is also home to the headquarters for a number of international companies, who therefore also often have job openings for applicants with skills within the field of IT as well as finance.it specialist salary in Oslo is on average NOK 650,000 annually.
Bergen is known for its natural beauty and is a tourism and aquaculture hub. Seasonal workers find work in the hospitality and aquaculture industries, and median earnings for these jobs is about NOK 450,000 annually. Tourism to the area has also increased demand for workers with English proficiency.
One of Norway’s major cities, Stavanger is often called the oil capital of Norway. There are several career opportunities in the energy industry, with high demand for qualified engineers and technicians. Average salaries for these positions are in the region of NOK 700,000. There are also many opportunities for tradespeople, as Stavanger continues to undergo large-scale building and infrastructure developments.
The cost of living in Norway is a major consideration when thinking about moving to the country to work. The cost of living in Oslo is amongst the highest in the world. The approximate cost for living as a single person in Oslo is NOK 12,500 a month, excluding rent. However, the cost of living in cities such as Tromsø and Trondheim is a bit lower, averaging around NOK 10,000 a month. Rent can differ greatly from city to city. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Oslo averages at around NOK 15,000. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Tromsø is around NOK 10,000 a month.
One factor to consider is that you'll probably have to account for a whole new set of expenses when you come to Norway – for example, how you'll get here, how you'll get to work and shop, and how much you'll be spending on for example food and other necessities. A monthly public transport card in Oslo will cost around NOK 800. The cost of groceries is also quite high – it can for example vary between 1 200 and 1 500 kcr per week depending on how you choose to live your life.
Networking is important when searching for a job in Norway. Attending industry related career fairs and joining LinkedIn groups can be an excellent way to make connections. In the tech hub of Trondheim, there are numerous meetups and conferences that you can attend to network within the industry.
Also important to take into account is the local workplace culture. Norwegians prioritize work-life balance and common practice is for companies to have flat organizational structures. Showing that you have taken an interest in this from the interview is a great way to make an impression. Learning some Norwegian words (although not required) is also highly recommended. Especially if you're going to be dealing with customers.
Sector | Key City | Annual Salary (NOK) | Annual Salary (USD) | Annual Salary (INR)
IT & Technology | Oslo | 650,000 | $61,400 | ₹51,20,000
Oil & Gas Engineering | Stavanger | 700,000 | $66,100 | ₹55,13,000
Healthcare | Nationwide | 550,000 | $51,900 | ₹43,32,000
Tourism & Hospitality | Bergen | 450,000 | $42,500 | ₹35,44,000
Finance & Banking | Oslo | 600,000+ | $56,600+ | ₹47,26,000+
The IT, health care and energy industries are all in high demand in Norway, with Oslo and Stavanger being focal points for these sectors.
Processing time for a work visa may take from 4 to 6 weeks. Please note that this is an approximate time and it's subject to change from time to time.
It isn't required to learn to speak Norwegian to find work, but it will improve your chances of finding employment and living as an integrated part of the Norwegian society.
Yes, it's possible to apply for family reunification while you're in Norway with a work visa. Your immediate family must travel to Norway to be granted a residence permit.
The cost of living in Norway is high, but so are the wages in Oslo and other major cities.
Yes, there are opportunities in sectors like for highly qualified personnel where there's a high demand for work done internationally.
Salaries vary across different professions, but an IT professional in Norway can earn around NOK 650,000 per year, which is reflective of the high cost of living in Norway.
Many jobs are advertised on various job sites in Norway, and applying on-line as well as networking is a good way to get jobs.
The standard working hours in Norway are 37.5 hours per week, and there's considerable freedom to adjust these in many workplaces.
In Norway there's no national minimum wage. However, wage levels are often set in agreements that apply to particular branches or undertakings.
Moving to Norway for work can be a great experience with a high standard of living and good wages. it's important to understand the visa process, what qualifications are required and the labour market.
Thinking of moving? You can easily improve your job opportunities by learning Norwegian and learning more about the job market in the respective industries. Be it startup cities or the tourist industry – the more you know, the better.
Norway is indeed a wonderful destination where work and play blend into a fascinating experience. it's challenging to work in this country but Norway also offers so many attractive things that compensates for the difficulties of working here. When you know the “rules of the game”, you'll be able to live a good life here and enjoy the fruits of your labour as well as the extraordinary nature of this country.
• udi.no — Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) — work permits, residence permits, application status
• nav.no — Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) — job market, unemployment benefits, worker rights
• skatteetaten.no — Norwegian Tax Administration — tax rates, tax card, deductions for foreign workers
• regjeringen.no — Norwegian Government — labor laws, immigration policy, ministry contacts
• indianembassyoslo.gov.in — Embassy of India in Oslo — consular services for Indian nationals
All information verified as of March 2026. Policies and costs may change — always verify with official sources before making decisions.
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Arin Vale