---
title: "Norway Skilled worker permit 2026: from NOK 545k/yr needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/skilled-worker/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Norway · Work

# Norway Skilled worker permit

**Income needed:** from NOK 545k a year ≈ $57k

Residence permit as a skilled worker with an employer in Norway

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** from NOK 545k a year ≈ $57k (Income of at least NOK 624,700 a year (≈ $65,300) · Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a master's degree; lower pay possible if documented as normal for the occupation and place. Income of at least NOK 545,400 a year (≈ $57,000) · Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a bachelor's degree. 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.)
- **First stay:** 3 yrs (Up to one year at a time for vocational positions; normally up to three years at a time for degree-level positions; permanent residence can be applied for after three years.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens register their right of residence instead.)
- **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

Skilled worker permit is a work route for Norway. Applicants need income from NOK 545k a year ≈ $57k. You can stay 3 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** from NOK 545k a year ≈ $57k
- **Government fees:** NOK 6,300 ≈ $660
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fee NOK 6,300 ≈ $660; income to show from NOK 545k/yr ≈ $57k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: NOK 6,300 ≈ $660**

- NOK 6,300 (≈ $660) Application fee under Immigration Regulations section 17-10 (work and similar permits), including renewals; applicants under 18 pay half.

**Shown, not spent: NOK 625k+/yr ≈ $65k · NOK 545k+/yr ≈ $57k**

- NOK 624,700 a year (≈ $65,300) Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a master's degree; lower pay possible if documented as normal for the occupation and place.
- NOK 545,400 a year (≈ $57,000) Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a bachelor's degree.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Granted for up to one year at a time for vocational positions and normally up to three years at a time for degree-level positions.

[Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/)

**Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence**

Permanent residence can be applied for after three years of continuous residence on a qualifying permit.

[Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/skilled-workers/)

**Citizenship: After 8 years of residence**

Citizenship needs 8 years of residence in Norway during the last 11 years.

[Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/citizenship/shorter-residency-requirement-for-certain-groups/)

**Where to apply: Abroad or in-country**

Skilled workers can apply in Norway if they have legal stay there; otherwise the application is made at an embassy.

[Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/legal-stay/)

**Presence rules: Away max 7 months in total**

For permanent residence you cannot have been outside Norway more than 7 months in total over the 3 years; skilled workers may be away up to 15 months if at least 8 were work travel for the employer.

[Norwegian Directorate of Immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/calculating-the-residence-period-for-permanent-residence-permits/)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Needs a job offer from an employer in Norway
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant has a concrete job offer from one specific Norwegian employer, normally full time; an 80% position is accepted.
- The applicant has vocational training of at least three years at upper-secondary level, a university or university-college degree, or special qualifications.
- Special qualifications mean skills from long experience, generally at least six years of work experience, with detailed work certificates.
- The job requires skilled-worker qualifications, and the applicant has them.
- The job falls within the annual quota for skilled workers, or, without a quota or when it is filled, cannot be filled from Norway or the EU/EEA/EFTA area.
- Employees of an international company from a WTO member state are exempt from the quota.

#### What you must show

- Pay and working conditions are not poorer than normal in Norway.
- Pre-tax pay is at least NOK 624,700 (≈ $65,300) per year where the position requires a master's degree, and NOK 545,400 (≈ $57,000) for a bachelor's degree.
- Vocational and other positions need the collective wage rate, or pay not poorer than normal for the occupation and place.
- The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660).

#### Documents

- Authorisation or approval is submitted where the occupation is regulated.
- Staffing-agency workers submit a list of planned assignments confirmed by the client businesses.

#### Steps

1. The employer confirms the job offer and gives the applicant a code before the application is submitted from abroad.

#### After you arrive

- The permit is tied to the type of work; a new type of position needs a new permit.
- After a job ends the holder can stay up to six months to look for work if the permit is still valid and the police are told within seven days.
- The permit forms the basis for permanent residence, which can be applied for after three years.

## 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 3 years at first, renewable**
- **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 a concrete full-time job (at least 80 percent) with one Norwegian employer requiring skilled-worker qualifications: vocational training of three years, a university or university college degree, or special qualifications (generally six years of experience). Employer confirms the job offer before application from abroad. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)

#### What you must show and pay

- Income of at least NOK 624,700 a year (≈ $65,300) · Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a master's degree; lower pay possible if documented as normal for the occupation and place. (source 2)
- Income of at least NOK 545,400 a year (≈ $57,000) · Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a bachelor's degree. (source 2)
- 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. (source 4)

#### Requirements

- The applicant has a concrete job offer from one specific Norwegian employer, normally full time; an 80% position is accepted. (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)
- Special qualifications mean skills from long experience, generally at least six years of work experience, with detailed work certificates. (source 1)
- The job requires skilled-worker qualifications, and the applicant has them. (source 1)
- The job falls within the annual quota for skilled workers, or, without a quota or when it is filled, cannot be filled from Norway or the EU/EEA/EFTA area. (source 5)
- Employees of an international company from a WTO member state are exempt from the quota. (source 5)
- Pay and working conditions are not poorer than normal in Norway. (sources 1, 2)
- Pre-tax pay is at least NOK 624,700 (≈ $65,300) per year where the position requires a master's degree, and NOK 545,400 (≈ $57,000) for a bachelor's degree. (source 2)
- Vocational and other positions need the collective wage rate, or pay not poorer than normal for the occupation and place. (source 2)
- The application fee is NOK 6,300 (≈ $660). (source 4)
- Authorisation or approval is submitted where the occupation is regulated. (source 1)
- Staffing-agency workers submit a list of planned assignments confirmed by the client businesses. (source 1)
- The employer confirms the job offer and gives the applicant a code before the application is submitted from abroad. (source 1)
- The permit is tied to the type of work; a new type of position needs a new permit. (sources 1, 5)
- After a job ends the holder can stay up to six months to look for work if the permit is still valid and the police are told within seven days. (sources 1, 5)
- The permit forms the basis for permanent residence, which can be applied for after three years. (sources 1, 5)

#### Stay

- Up to one year at a time for vocational positions; normally up to three years at a time for degree-level positions; permanent residence can be applied for after three years.
- First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
- Residence permit up to 36 months: One year at a time for vocational training positions or staffing agencies.

#### Nationality

Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens register their right of residence instead. 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 of the type granted; no remote work unless part of the job. After a job ends the holder may stay up to six months to look for work, if the permit has not expired and the police are notified within seven days.

#### Family

Family can usually apply together and receive the answer at the same time.

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. [Pay and working conditions in Norway](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/pay-and-working-conditions-in-norway/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
3. [Work immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
4. [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
5. [Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286) · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
6. [The residence period for permanent residence permits](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/calculating-the-residence-period-for-permanent-residence-permits/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
7. [Shorter residence requirement for certain groups: Citizenship (main rule 8 of the last 11 years)](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/citizenship/shorter-residency-requirement-for-certain-groups/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Skilled workers who can hand in their application for residence permit in Norway](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/legal-stay/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12

## Skilled worker permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Skilled worker permit | 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 |
| [Branch assignment permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/norway/intl-company-assignment/) | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Skilled worker permit?

Income of at least NOK 624,700 a year (≈ $65,300). Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a master's degree; lower pay possible if documented as normal for the occupation and place. Income of at least NOK 545,400 a year (≈ $57,000). Minimum pre-tax pay where the position requires a bachelor's degree. 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.

### How long can I stay on the Skilled worker permit?

Up to one year at a time for vocational positions; normally up to three years at a time for degree-level positions; permanent residence can be applied for after three years.

### Can I work on the Skilled worker permit?

Work of the type granted; no remote work unless part of the job.

### Can I bring my family on the Skilled worker permit?

Family can usually apply together and receive the answer at the same time.

### Who can apply for the Skilled worker permit?

Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens register their right of residence instead. 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 Skilled worker permit lead to permanent residence in Norway?

Time on the Skilled worker permit counts toward permanent residence in Norway, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. Time on the Skilled worker permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 8 years of residence.

### Is there a tax break for Skilled worker 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 8 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. [Pay and working conditions in Norway](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/pay-and-working-conditions-in-norway/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
3. [Work immigration](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
4. [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
5. [Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-10-15-1286) · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
6. [The residence period for permanent residence permits](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/calculating-the-residence-period-for-permanent-residence-permits/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
7. [Shorter residence requirement for certain groups: Citizenship (main rule 8 of the last 11 years)](https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/citizenship/shorter-residency-requirement-for-certain-groups/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Skilled workers who can hand in their application for residence permit in Norway](https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/legal-stay/) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12

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.