Work in Norway

Why working in Norway is so popular among foreigners? Country  is suffering labour shortages, especially at Norway fish factories and offshore marine jobs. That is why every year, it issues thousands of work permits for foreigners, including those from the CIS and Baltic countries.  

How to get a job in Norway for foreigners?

There are always options.

1)Here we offer the fullest selection of websites for getting jobs in Norway; it includes both classic job search engines and aggregators.

2) The official website of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service (NAV) – offers  job in Norway for English speakers, there, among others, you can find offshore jobs and vacancies for seasonal work in Norway.  

Just view and post new job announcements on our job board free of charge.

Work in Norway for eu citizen: should EU citizens get a work permit? 

Norway is an EEA member. All EU/EEA citizens do not need a permit to live and work in Norway.

What are the steps for Non-EU citizens to enter Norway legally?

Foreigners from other countries (Non-EU citizens) need to get a Norwegian work visa. Here is the step-by-step guide:

1) Apply via UDI Application Portai,
2) Print the Cover letter you received on your e-mail (PDF attachment) as confirmation that your application has been registered, submit the necessary documents, print and sign the Checklist and visit your local Visa Center or Embassy.
3) Get a Norwegian work visa. 

What is a Norwegian work permit? 

All foreign nationals must have a work permit to work in Norway. The work permit is usually issued for one year and, in most cases, may be extended (except for seasonal work). Norwegian work permit does not look like a separate record of employment.
1) Primarily, it is a completed and signed UDI Form (UDI stands for the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration), or Arbeidstilbud (Offer of Employment in Norwegian). The form includes the information about the employer and the foreign employee and the UDI stamps of approval.  
2) Then the information confirming the foreign national’s right to work during the certain period is to be entered into the Norwegian residence card
Certain type of works (ex. seasonal works) require additional confirmation of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service NAV (forhåndstilsagn); it shall be requested by the employer in Norway to confirm the labour shortage of seasonal workers.

Offshore jobs in Norway: fraud risk

Norway is one of the largest oil producers in the world. Despite the harsh working conditions, the higher earnings in Norway are still attractive for foreigners. 
The Norwegian Embassy often faces the instances of fraud– fake recruitment agencies make offshore job offers in Norway.  
We encourage you to stay away from the agencies that require payment of any fees for the addresses of Norwegian companies, where you can apply for employment without any assistance.  
The largest oil companies frequently recruit staff for offshore and onshore work in Norway. Among them are Parker Drilling  and  Pioneer Drilling..
Please note that only specially trained and skilled workers can really get the offshore jobs. 

Can a skilled worker get a permanent residence permit in Norway? 

If you have completed vocational training or are specially qualified, you can get a Norwegian work permit as a skilled worker. However, you will be permitted to work only with one Norwegian company-employer in certain region. The permit is usually issued for one year and may be extended. After 3 years of employment under such work permit, you can apply for permanent residence in Norway with the right to be hired by any employer. 

Seasonal work in Norway 

The seasonal work includes harvesting and berries picking in Norway. The work permit for a seasonal worker is granted for 6 months. The new permit may be issued only after 6 months of stay outside Norway. You may wish to use the Summerjobs to find the suitable seasonal job. 

Norwegian residence card

It is not enough to get an entry visa if you are planning to stay and work in Norway for more than 3 months. It is required to get a residence card. Residence card is a plastic card that proves that you have been granted a residence permit in Norway. For getting the residence card, you must go to the local police: the police will take your fingerprints and photo, and after at least 10 days, the residence card will be sent to the foreign employee by post.