🇳🇴Norway Visa for Russian Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Residence Permit for Skilled Workers

Allows non-EU/EEA nationals with higher education or vocational training to live and work in Norway with a confirmed job offer from a Norwegian employer.

Requires a job offer paying at minimum NOK 341,373/year pre-tax. Vocational-level permits granted up to 1 year; university-level up to 3 years; assignment-based up to 2 years (max 6 years total). Must have employer confirmation code before applying (introduced February 2026). Pay and working conditions must meet Norwegian standards. Eligible for permanent residence after 3 years. Processing times vary; extended delays possible for vocational qualifications from Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Kosovo, Nepal, Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam. Does NOT allow self-employment.

Residence Permit for Seasonal Workers

Permits non-EU/EEA nationals aged 18+ to work in Norway in seasonal industries (e.g. agriculture, tourism, fishing) for up to 6 months per 12-month period.

Must secure full-time employment before applying. Employer must confirm NAV approval that local/EEA workers cannot fill the role (exceptions: agriculture and forestry). Must leave Norway for 6 months after each seasonal period. Time does not count toward permanent residence. Family members cannot join. Minimum age 18. Stays under 3 months may not require a permit.

Residence Permit for Self-Employed Persons

Allows non-EU/EEA nationals with completed higher education or vocational training to establish and run a sole proprietorship (enkeltpersonforetak) in Norway.

Business must be a sole proprietorship (not a limited company). Must generate profit of at least NOK 341,373/year pre-tax. Active participation in the business is required. Eligible for permanent residence after 3 years. Not a passive investment visa.

Residence Permit for Employees in Humanitarian, Non-Profit or Religious Organisations

Grants non-EU/EEA nationals the right to reside in Norway to work for Norwegian humanitarian, non-profit, or religious organisations.

Specific documentation from the employing organisation required. Employment terms must meet Norwegian standards. Part of the broader work immigration category on UDI.

Residence Permit for Studies

Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to reside in Norway to attend accredited educational institutions including universities, vocational schools, upper secondary schools, folk high schools, or language courses.

Must have an acceptance letter from a Norwegian educational institution. Must demonstrate sufficient financial means. Permit duration tied to the duration of the study programme. EU/EEA citizens do not need this permit. Also covers traineeships, research, and supplementary education for skilled workers seeking credential recognition.

Residence Permit for Family Immigration

Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to reunite with family members (spouses, cohabitants, children, parents, fiancés) who are legally residing in Norway.

Eligible family members include spouses, cohabitants, children, parents of children in Norway, fiancés, foster children, and full siblings. The sponsor (reference person) in Norway must usually meet income requirements (changed January 2025). EU/EEA family members apply under EU/EEA regulations instead.

Residence Permit for Victims of Abuse

Grants an independent residence permit to non-EU/EEA nationals who entered Norway on a family immigration basis and have experienced abuse in the relationship.

Applicant must have held a family immigration permit. The permit allows continued residence in Norway independent of the abusive relationship. Documented evidence of abuse is required.

Residence Permit for Victims of Human Trafficking

Provides a temporary residence permit to victims of human trafficking and their children to allow recovery, cooperation with authorities, and access to support services in Norway.

For non-EU/EEA victims of human trafficking. The permit may be extended if the victim cooperates with police investigations or faces risks upon return. Covers the victim and their dependent children.

Residence Permit for Medical Treatment

Allows non-EU/EEA nationals requiring medical treatment in Norway lasting longer than 90 days to reside in Norway for the duration of their treatment.

Maximum permit duration is one year. Must have a confirmed offer of medical treatment from a Norwegian medical institution. Treatment must be funded personally or through the applicant's home country public funds (Norway's public healthcare is not available). The hospital must confirm treatment will not negatively impact Norwegian healthcare services. An accompanying person may also receive a permit if necessary. Applicant must intend to leave after treatment.

Job Seeker Residence Permit

Allows recently graduated skilled workers from Norwegian institutions or researchers to reside in Norway for up to one year while seeking skilled employment.

Must have sufficient financial support of at least NOK 28,448/month. Must hold a higher education degree or vocational training. Duration: maximum 1 year. Time does NOT count toward permanent residence. Can work in any job (including part-time) while seeking skilled employment. If a job offer is received during processing, application can be converted to skilled worker permit at no extra cost.

EU/EEA Registration / Residence Card

EU/EEA nationals (and their non-EU/EEA family members) exercise their free movement rights in Norway. EU/EEA nationals register with local police; their non-EU/EEA family members apply for a residence card.

EU/EEA nationals have a right of residence in Norway under EEA freedom of movement - not a visa in the traditional sense. Registration is required for stays over 3 months. Non-EU/EEA family members of EU/EEA nationals must apply for a residence card. The residence card is required for travel outside Norway. Nordic nationals (Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish citizens) have an even simpler registration scheme.

Permanent Residence Permit

Grants non-EU/EEA nationals the right to live and work in Norway indefinitely, without needing to renew or maintain a time-limited permit.

Generally requires 3 years of qualifying residence on a time-limited permit (e.g. skilled worker permit). Additional requirements include language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency. Permanent residents may travel outside Norway but cannot remain abroad for extended periods without risk of losing permanent residence status.

Diplomatic / Official Passport Visa Exemptions

Holders of diplomatic, service, official, or special passports from select non-visa-exempt countries may enter Norway without a Schengen visa under bilateral agreements.

Countries whose diplomatic/service/official/special passport holders are visa-exempt include: Albania (diplomatic – accredited ambassadors only), Armenia (diplomatic), Azerbaijan (diplomatic), Bolivia (diplomatic + service), China (diplomatic), India (diplomatic), Indonesia (diplomatic + service), Jordan (diplomatic), Kazakhstan (diplomatic), Laos (diplomatic), Moldova (diplomatic), Morocco (diplomatic + service + special), North Macedonia (diplomatic + service), Pakistan (diplomatic + official), Philippines (diplomatic + service + special), South Africa (diplomatic + official), Thailand (diplomatic + official), Tunisia (diplomatic), Turkey (diplomatic + service + special), Ukraine (diplomatic), UAE (diplomatic + special). Conditions vary by country. Diplomatic passport holder must usually not be working at an embassy in Norway.

Working Holiday Residence Permit (Young Adults)

Lets young adults from partner countries take an extended holiday in Norway and work part-time to help fund their stay.

Available to citizens of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand; Norway maintains separate per-nationality working-holiday pages under the Exchange Programmes section (Andorra also listed). Applicants must generally be aged 18 and not yet have turned 31 at the time of application (Canadians up to age 35). Granted for one year at a time, for a maximum of two years in total. Work is permitted but not for more than six months with the same employer. Must document at least NOK 15,488 per month (NOK 46,464 for the first three months) and take out medical/hospital insurance before entry.

Residence Permit for Researchers with Own Funds

For researchers holding a master's degree who will carry out PhD-level research at a Norwegian university, college or institute without being employed by a Norwegian employer.

Funding may come from a foreign employer, a grant (from Norway or abroad) or own funds; requires at least NOK 15,488 per month (NOK 170,368 per year). The permit also allows part-time work of up to 20 hours per week (including remote work) plus full-time during holidays. Time on this permit does NOT count toward permanent residence. UDI lists case processing as up to about 4 months (as of 2026). Researchers who are employed by a Norwegian institution instead apply under the skilled worker route.

Residence Permit for Artists, Musicians and Performers

For performers, artists, musicians and their support staff who have a concrete engagement to work in Norway for more than 14 days.

Engagements of up to 14 days do not require a permit (only notification to the police). For longer engagements a permit is granted for a maximum of one year at a time. Requires a concrete offer of employment for a specific, continuous period, with pay meeting the collective agreement/minimum for the industry. After a permit, the holder must generally stay outside Norway for three months before a new permit can be granted.