Norway Artist or performer

Residence permit of up to one year for a performer, musician or artist, or necessary support staff, with a concrete engagement presenting culture in Norway for more than 14 days. ^{1 2 3}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least NOK 341,373 a year (≈ $35,700) · Minimum pre-tax pay for musicians, circus performers and their necessary support staff where no collective agreement applies; otherwise the collective wage rate or pay not poorer than normal for the occupation and place. ¹
• A fee of NOK 6,300 (≈ $660) · Application fee under Immigration Regulations section 17-10 (work and similar permits), including renewals; applicants under 18 pay half. ³

Requirements

• The applicant has a concrete offer of employment as a performer, musician or artist, or as necessary support staff, to present culture such as music, dance, theatre or circus. ^{1 2}
• The offer is normally full time (37.5 hours per week; 21 hours for musicians or dance bands) for a specific continuous period. ¹
• Periods without work or assignments make up no more than 20% of the time in Norway. ¹
• Pay is under the collective agreement or not poorer than normal; musicians and circus performers need at least NOK 341,373 (≈ $35,700) per year pre-tax. ¹
• The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). ³
• Applicants aged 15 to 18 attach the consent of a parent or guardian. ¹
• The permit is valid for at most one year; a new permit needs three months outside Norway, unless UDI guidelines say otherwise. ^{1 2}
• The permit period does not count towards permanent residence; spouse or cohabitant and children can usually apply. ¹

Stay

• Up to one year for an engagement; a new permit can be given only after three months outside Norway, unless UDI guidelines say otherwise. Other cultural purposes can get up to two years in total under the same section.
• First stay: up to 12 months, decided case by case.
• Not renewable according to our source.

Nationality

Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Work for the engagement in the contract; a new engagement or employer needs a new permit.

Family

Spouse or cohabitant and children can usually apply; family applying at the same time receives the answer at the same time.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Exchange programmes, culture, organisational work and working holiday · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
2. Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10 · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
3. Regulation on foreigners' entry and residence (utlendingsforskriften), section 17-10: processing fees for residence permits · Lovdata (Norwegian regulation text) · checked 2026-10-11