--- title: "Norway Branch assignment permit requirements 2026: 2-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/intl-company-assignment/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Norway · Work # Norway Branch assignment permit **First stay:** 2 yrs Residence permit for employee of an international company on assignment for the Norwegian branch Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 2 yrs (Two years at a time, up to six years in total, then two years outside Norway; time does not count toward permanent residence.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit.) - **Work:** Limited (Assignment described in the contract only; no remote work unless part of the job.) - **Family:** Family can join (Spouse and children can apply for residence permits.) - **Tax angle:** 25% tax (PAYE scheme for foreign workers (25% flat): New workers with short stays or in their first year as tax resident can be taxed at a flat 25% on salary (17.4% in 2026 if exempt from national insurance contributions), up to NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700) earnings.) ## Key facts Branch assignment permit is a work route for Norway. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Government fees:** NOK 6,300 ≈ $660 - **First stay:** 2 yrs ## Cost, time and long term **Government fees: NOK 6,300 ≈ $660** - NOK 6,300 (≈ $660) Application fee for a work residence permit (Immigration Act sections 23 to 26), including renewals; applicants under 18 pay half. **Renewal: Renewable, 6 years max** Granted for two years at a time, up to six years in total, followed by two years outside Norway. [Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/) **Permanent residence: Time here doesn't count** Time on this permit does not count toward permanent residence. [Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Time on this route is capped at 6 years in total - Time on this route doesn't count toward permanent residence - Needs a job offer from an employer in Norway - Work rights are limited - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant works for an international company abroad and is sent on assignment to its Norwegian branch. - The applicant has vocational training of at least three years at upper-secondary level, a university or university-college degree, or special qualifications. - The Norwegian company is not a staffing company, and as a rule the offer concerns one company in Norway. #### What you must show - Pay and working conditions are not poorer than normal in Norway. - The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). #### Steps 1. The client confirms the assignment offer and gives the applicant a code before the application is submitted from abroad. #### After you arrive - The permit is valid for two years at a time and up to six years in total; after six years the holder lives outside Norway for two years. - The permit period does not count towards permanent residence. - Spouse or cohabitant and children can apply for residence permits. ## When you become tax resident How Norway decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 6 years in total** - **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any 12-month period** Presence in Norway for more than 183 days in one or more periods makes a person resident for the income year in which the limit is passed. - **More than 270 days in any 36-month period** Presence in Norway for more than 270 days in any 36-month period also makes a person resident, except for persons resident on Svalbard. - **Foreign-source income:** Norwegian tax residents are taxed on worldwide income and wealth: 22% on general income plus bracket tax of 1.7% to 17.8% on personal income above NOK 226,100, (≈ $23,600) and employees pay 7.6% national insurance contributions. - **Regime tied to this route:** **PAYE scheme for foreign workers** · 25% tax New workers with short stays or in their first year as tax resident can be taxed at a flat 25% on salary (17.4% in 2026 if exempt from national insurance contributions), up to NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700) earnings. [All tax rules for Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** For employees of an international company abroad sent on assignment to its Norwegian branch; same qualification rules as skilled workers. (sources 1, 2) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of NOK 6,300 (≈ $660) · Application fee for a work residence permit (Immigration Act sections 23 to 26), including renewals; applicants under 18 pay half. (source 2) #### Requirements - The applicant works for an international company abroad and is sent on assignment to its Norwegian branch. (source 1) - The applicant has vocational training of at least three years at upper-secondary level, a university or university-college degree, or special qualifications. (source 1) - The Norwegian company is not a staffing company, and as a rule the offer concerns one company in Norway. (source 1) - Pay and working conditions are not poorer than normal in Norway. (source 1) - The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). (source 2) - The client confirms the assignment offer and gives the applicant a code before the application is submitted from abroad. (source 1) - The permit is valid for two years at a time and up to six years in total; after six years the holder lives outside Norway for two years. (source 1) - The permit period does not count towards permanent residence. (source 1) - Spouse or cohabitant and children can apply for residence permits. (source 1) #### Stay - Two years at a time, up to six years in total, then two years outside Norway; time does not count toward permanent residence. - First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### 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 Assignment described in the contract only; no remote work unless part of the job. #### Family Spouse and children can apply for residence permits. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [Skilled workers, assignments, athletes, religious leaders, self-employed](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12 2. [Regulation on foreigners' entry and residence (utlendingsforskriften), section 17-10: processing fees for residence permits](https://lovdata.no/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286/%C2%A717-10) · Lovdata (Norwegian regulation text) · checked 2026-10-11 ## Branch assignment permit and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Branch assignment permit | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Skilled worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/skilled-worker/) | Needs income from NOK 545k a year ≈ $57k | 3 yr, renewable | – | | [Artist or performer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/artist-musician-performer/) | Needs income of NOK 341k+ a year ≈ $36k | 1 yr | – | | [Athlete / coach permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/athlete-coach/) | Needs income of NOK 341k+ a year ≈ $36k | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [Foreign-company assignment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/foreign-company-assignment/) | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Branch assignment permit? A fee of NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). Application fee for a work residence permit (Immigration Act sections 23 to 26), including renewals; applicants under 18 pay half. ### How long can I stay on the Branch assignment permit? Two years at a time, up to six years in total, then two years outside Norway; time does not count toward permanent residence. ### Can I work on the Branch assignment permit? Limited. Assignment described in the contract only; no remote work unless part of the job. ### Can I bring my family on the Branch assignment permit? Spouse and children can apply for residence permits. ### Who can apply for the Branch assignment permit? 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. ### Does the Branch assignment permit lead to permanent residence in Norway? Time on the Branch assignment permit doesn't count toward permanent residence in Norway. ### Is there a tax break for Branch assignment permit holders in Norway? PAYE scheme for foreign workers (25% flat): New workers with short stays or in their first year as tax resident can be taxed at a flat 25% on salary (17.4% in 2026 if exempt from national insurance contributions), up to NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700) earnings. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [PAYE scheme for foreign workers (25% flat)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/#tax-no-paye-scheme) 25% tax **Details** - On: Salary withheld by the employer - Limit: NOK 725k/yr ≈ $76k New workers with short stays or in their first year as tax resident can be taxed at a flat 25% on salary (17.4% in 2026 if exempt from national insurance contributions), up to NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700) earnings. #### Taxed on Salary withheld by the employer; no tax return for the year. #### Who it applies to - Not a tax resident (short work stay under 183 days in 12 months or 270 days in 36 months) or first year as tax resident. - Earnings under NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700) in 2026. #### Exclusions - Earning more than NOK 725,050 (≈ $75,700); tax resident for more than a year; other taxable income such as Nav benefits, Norwegian business income or capital income above NOK 10,000 (≈ $1,040). #### Limits - NOK 725,050 a year (≈ $75,700) · 2026 earnings ceiling for PAYE (NOK 697,150 (≈ $72,800) in 2025). #### Tax residence Short work stays of under 183 days in a 12-month period (or under 270 days in 36 months) keep the worker in PAYE each time a card is applied for; the first year as tax resident may also use PAYE. #### Visas Independent of the permit type. #### Other taxes A worker can opt out of the PAYE scheme and use the general tax rules, with deductions, at any time. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/) ## More in Norway [Working Holiday · Andorra](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ad/) [Working Holiday · Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ar/) [Working Holiday · Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-au/) [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-ca/) [Working Holiday · Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-jp/) [Working Holiday · New Zealand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/working-holiday-nz/) [Self-employed · Assignment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed-abroad-assignment/) [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇵🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 2 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Skilled workers, assignments, athletes, religious leaders, self-employed](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12 2. [Regulation on foreigners' entry and residence (utlendingsforskriften), section 17-10: processing fees for residence permits](https://lovdata.no/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286/%C2%A717-10) · Lovdata (Norwegian regulation text) · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.