Moving to Norway

Completed vocational training (>=3 yrs upper-secondary level), a degree, or special qualifications from 6+ yrs professional experience; concrete job offer from one Norwegian employer; pay/conditions not poorer than normal in Norway; recognition/authorisation where the occupation requires it (e.g. health personnel). If you apply on your own from abroad, the employer must first submit a confirmation of the job offer and give you the code for the application form (UDI notice of 19.02.2026). The job must normally be full-time; at least an 80% position is accepted. (PR: permanent residence permit after 3 years)

Skilled-worker qualifications (vocational training of at least three years, a degree, or special qualifications) that the business's work requires; the business must normally be your own sole proprietorship, not a limited company, you may work only in it, and it must be likely to give you a profit (business income) of at least NOK 341,373 a year before tax; your living in Norway and actively participating must be necessary for it. (Separate contract-based permit for self-employed with a FOREIGN company exists - up to 6 years - but that time does NOT count toward permanent residence.) (PR: PR track after 3 years (Norwegian-company variant))

Main rule (statsborgerloven § 7): 8 of the last 11 years' residence, on permits each valid at least 1 year. Reduced: 6 of the last 10 with sufficient income (§ 10); 7 of the last 10 for recognised refugees (§ 16 a); 5 of the last 7 for those who arrived before turning 18 (§ 11); 5 of the last 10 if married to, or the registered partner or cohabitant of, a Norwegian citizen and living together, with residence and time married together adding up to at least 7 years (§ 12). Applicants aged 18 to 67 need oral Norwegian at B1 and a passed citizenship test (§ 8). Dual citizenship allowed since 2020. An earlier version of this entry reported a 2026 government proposal to require 8 years' CONTINUOUS residence; the Act as archived on 2026-09-18 contains no such change and the proposal was not verified - check the current Act before relying on either.