Work Permits for Norway
A work permit is required before taking up employment in Norway, and should be applied for at the Norwegian consulate in your country of origin. There are also a number of agencies within Norway, which can help facilitate the process of getting a visa or permit.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries (including the UK) do not need a work permit in Norway, and no longer need to apply for a residence permit. Information about the EEA (European Economic Area) agreement is available at www.udi.no. This page also gives information for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries. NAV (www.nav.no/English) also gives information on work permits for individual countries. NAV is the state entity that handles all work-related issues. They are a good source when looking for a job.
If you are an EEA national and have a valid identity card or passport, you can legally reside in Norway for three months. The same applies to members of your family who are also EEA nationals. Family members who are not EEA nationals must have a valid passport, and be able to document that they are members of your household, or that you support them.
Below, you will find information about the rules and guidelines that apply to the various types of residence permits, how to apply, and what your employer needs to do to hire foreign labour. For EEA nationals (all citizens of an EU/EEA/EFTA country) and their family members, regardless of citizenship, special rules apply in virtue of the EEA Regulations. For EU/EEA/EFTA nationals, information can be found here: www.udi.no/English.
Due to an organised public sector and an interest in foreign investment, starting up a company in Norway is relatively easy and inexpensive for expats. Sole proprietorship doesn’t require any start-up capital, while an LLC requires a starting capital of 100,000 NOK. Having said that, being an entrepreneur or running a business in Norway can be daunting. The support structure that is in place for employees is not in place for business owners and self-employed persons.
There is a lot of paperwork and many rules required to do business legally in Norway, and it can get confusing. However, there are several companies that offer services to guide you through the process of starting up and running a business, such as: www.etablere.no and www.naringsetaten.oslo.kommune.no, which is run by the City of Oslo.
One golden rule is that you must register the company with the Register Centre (Brønnøysund). The registration fee varies depending on what kind of business you are registering. The fees are annually renewed, and you will receive an invoice by mail.
Depending on what kind of company you start, you may need an auditor, a general manager, and a board. You will also need a lawyer and an accountant. Bedin is a great resource in English for all the information and documents you may need for starting a business.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries (including the UK) do not need a work permit in Norway, and no longer need to apply for a residence permit. Information about the EEA (European Economic Area) agreement is available at www.udi.no. This page also gives information for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries. NAV (www.nav.no/English) also gives information on work permits for individual countries. NAV is the state entity that handles all work-related issues. They are a good source when looking for a job.
If you are an EEA national and have a valid identity card or passport, you can legally reside in Norway for three months. The same applies to members of your family who are also EEA nationals. Family members who are not EEA nationals must have a valid passport, and be able to document that they are members of your household, or that you support them.
Below, you will find information about the rules and guidelines that apply to the various types of residence permits, how to apply, and what your employer needs to do to hire foreign labour. For EEA nationals (all citizens of an EU/EEA/EFTA country) and their family members, regardless of citizenship, special rules apply in virtue of the EEA Regulations. For EU/EEA/EFTA nationals, information can be found here: www.udi.no/English.
Business Permit
Due to an organised public sector and an interest in foreign investment, starting up a company in Norway is relatively easy and inexpensive for expats. Sole proprietorship doesn’t require any start-up capital, while an LLC requires a starting capital of 100,000 NOK. Having said that, being an entrepreneur or running a business in Norway can be daunting. The support structure that is in place for employees is not in place for business owners and self-employed persons.
There is a lot of paperwork and many rules required to do business legally in Norway, and it can get confusing. However, there are several companies that offer services to guide you through the process of starting up and running a business, such as: www.etablere.no and www.naringsetaten.oslo.kommune.no, which is run by the City of Oslo.
One golden rule is that you must register the company with the Register Centre (Brønnøysund). The registration fee varies depending on what kind of business you are registering. The fees are annually renewed, and you will receive an invoice by mail.
Depending on what kind of company you start, you may need an auditor, a general manager, and a board. You will also need a lawyer and an accountant. Bedin is a great resource in English for all the information and documents you may need for starting a business.
