When expanding a business abroad, a fundamental part of the job is ensuring you have the right people working to set up and run the new business. This often means bringing in foreign workers, and to do that you’ll need work visas for Norway.
The process of applying for Norway visas can be complex, with the nation’s unique laws, a different language, and administrative procedures all potentially presenting delays and barriers.
At Horizons, our specialists in foreign expansion offer a wide selection of Norway work visa services, immigration support, and outsourcing solutions, to give your business everything necessary to expand into Norway with the help of the best selection of global talent.
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Standard requirements for Norway work visas
The exact requirements for Norwegian work visas can vary depending on the exact type, but some of the main general requirements are:
- Valid passport
- Passport photos
- Application forms and fees
- An official job offer from a Norway-based employer
- Proof of qualifications/work experience
- Details of accommodation arrangements
Types of Norway visas
Norway is not a member of the European Union (EU), but it is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) so EU/EEA nationals can come to the country for work without a work visa.
Any non-EU/EEA nationals will, however, need a document called a ‘residence permit for work’. These permits are subdivided into various categories, such as seasonal work, skilled work, and so on. The majority of foreign employees will probably need a residence permit for skilled work.
How to get a Norway work visa
Any correspondence and applications regarding Norwegian work visas should be done through the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Applications can technically be done by either you (the employer) or your employee, but your employee must provide written permission for you in advance.
Actual applications should generally be submitted through your employee’s local Norwegian embassy/consulate (or in Norway if you are applying for them).
Once you/your employee have submitted all the requested documentation and paid any necessary fees, the application will be processed. This can take as long as several weeks.
Other considerations
Documents for a visa application need to be submitted in both English and Norweigan languages, so you may have to pay fr translations of many documents.
It is also important to note that waiting times may for visa applications can be a month or longer, so you should always prepare early and submit everything well in advance of your employee’s expected move to Norway.
How can Horizons help?
At Horizons, we work with organizations to help them successfully expand all over the world, including to Norway, and we are experts in obtaining Norwegian work visas. Our Norway work visa specialists offer reliable advice and bespoke outsourcing solutions to guide you through the country’s complicated immigration process quickly and efficiently. We will ensure that you and your valued employees are in total compliance with Norway’s laws, save you time, and give the answers to any queries you may have about the process.
Additionally, we offer comprehensive outsourcing to cover recruitment, payroll, HR, administration, and more to give you everything you need to start expanding your business in Norway, even if you don’t have a registered subsidiary in the country.
