--- title: "Norway Self-employed · Assignment requirements 2026" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed-abroad-assignment/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Norway · Business / Startup # Norway Self-employed · Assignment **First stay:** 2 yrs Residence permit for self-employed persons with a company abroad (assignment in Norway) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Record corrected 11 Oct 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/corrections/#change-no-self-employed-abroad-assignment) [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; the permit does not lead to permanent residence.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit.) - **Work:** Limited (The assignment only.) ## Key facts Self-employed · Assignment is a business / startup 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** Up to six years in total under section 6-14 of the Immigration Regulations, followed by two years outside Norway before a new permit; UDI grants it for up to two years at a time. [Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/) [Lovdata](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286) **Permanent residence: Time here doesn't count** This permit does not form a basis for permanent residence (section 6-14 of the Immigration Regulations). [Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/) [Lovdata](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286) ## 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 sponsor in Norway - Work rights are limited - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is self-employed with an established business abroad, normally a sole proprietorship and not a limited company. - The applicant has three years of vocational training, a degree or special qualifications relevant to the assignment. - The applicant has a contract with a business in Norway that has a registered address there; the client is not a staffing company. #### What you must show - Remuneration under the contract is at least equal to the pay requirement for skilled workers and not poorer than normal in Norway. - The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). #### Documents - Authorisation or recognition is submitted where the occupation requires it. #### 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. ## 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. [All tax rules for Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** For a self-employed person established abroad with a contract for services of limited duration for a client in Norway. (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 is self-employed with an established business abroad, normally a sole proprietorship and not a limited company. (source 1) - The applicant has three years of vocational training, a degree or special qualifications relevant to the assignment. (source 1) - The applicant has a contract with a business in Norway that has a registered address there; the client is not a staffing company. (sources 1, 3) - Remuneration under the contract is at least equal to the pay requirement for skilled workers and not poorer than normal in Norway. (sources 1, 3) - The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). (source 2) - Authorisation or recognition is submitted where the occupation requires it. (source 1) - (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. (sources 1, 3) - The permit period does not count towards permanent residence. (source 1) #### Stay - Two years at a time, up to six years in total, then two years outside Norway; the permit does not lead to 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 The assignment only. #### Family Family can apply if the assignment lasts more than six months. #### Fine print The Norwegian party is a client with a service contract, not an employer. 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 3. [Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286) · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10 ## Self-employed · Assignment and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Self-employed · Assignment | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/self-employed/) | Needs income of NOK 341k+ a year ≈ $36k | 1 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – | | [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Self-employed · Assignment? 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 Self-employed · Assignment? Two years at a time, up to six years in total, then two years outside Norway; the permit does not lead to permanent residence. ### Can I work on the Self-employed · Assignment? Limited. The assignment only. ### Can I bring my family on the Self-employed · Assignment? Family can apply if the assignment lasts more than six months. ### Who can apply for the Self-employed · Assignment? 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 Self-employed · Assignment lead to permanent residence in Norway? Time on the Self-employed · Assignment doesn't count toward permanent residence in Norway. ### How are Self-employed · Assignment holders taxed in Norway? No special regime in our records is tied to the Self-employed · Assignment. The standard rules apply: 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. ## 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/) [Skilled worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/skilled-worker/) [Artist or performer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/artist-musician-performer/) ## Business / startup visas elsewhere [🇬🇷 Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) [🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) ≈ 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 3 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 3. [Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286) · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10 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.