Norway Self-employed permit

For a skilled self-employed person running a sole proprietorship in Norway (not a limited company); the business must be likely to give a profit of at least NOK 341,373 (≈ $35,700) per year pre-tax; other work, including remote work, is not allowed. ^{1 2}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least NOK 341,373 a year (≈ $35,700) · Likely business income (profit) pre-tax. ¹
• 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. ²

Requirements

• The applicant has vocational training of at least three years at upper-secondary level, a university or university-college degree, or special qualifications. ¹
• The owner must live in Norway and take an active part in running the business. ^{1 3}
• The business is normally a sole proprietorship and not a limited company, and the owner can work only in this business, including no remote work. ¹
• The work in the business requires the owner's skilled-worker qualifications. ^{1 3}
• Any permit that the business needs under other legislation is held, or the authority confirms it will be granted. ^{1 3}
• Expected business profit is at least NOK 341,373 (≈ $35,700) per year pre-tax. ¹
• The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). ²
• Proof of competence and role is submitted. ³
• A description of the business, financing and budget plans is submitted. ³
• Accounts, if any, are submitted. ³
• Advance statements that other authorities will grant required permits are submitted. ³
• The permit is valid for one year at a time and is tied to the specific business. ^{1 3}
• Permanent residence can be applied for after three years. ^{1 3}

Stay

• One year at a time; permanent residence can be applied for after three years.
• First stay: up to 12 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

Only in the own business.

Family

Family can apply.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Skilled workers, assignments, athletes, religious leaders, self-employed · 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 · Lovdata (Norwegian regulation text) · checked 2026-10-11
3. Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10 · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
4. The residence period for permanent residence permits · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
5. Shorter residence requirement for certain groups: Citizenship (main rule 8 of the last 11 years) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12