EEA nationals
From 1 January 1994, Norway became a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) which comprises of the EU member states and the three EFTA states: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
The EEA secures nationals of the EU and EFTA countries freedom of movement and establishment throughout the area, and a work permit is no longer required.
As an EEA national you may stay in Norway for a period of three months (which is extendable up to six months in total) to seek employment provided you are financially self-sufficient. Should you find employment during this time, you must apply for a residence permit at the nearest police station, bringing with you your national passport, two photographs and a "Confirmation of Employment" from your employer.
Your residence permit will state that it has been granted in accordance with the EEA provisions and thus gives rights and obligations which differ from residence permits granted under the general provisions.
If you take up short-time employment in Norway and your stay does not exceed three months, a residence permit will not be required. Neither are you required to report to the police.
Specialists
Work permit for skilled and seasonal workers (none EEA-nationals).
From the 1st of January 2002 Norwegian authorities extended the possibility for persons within certain fields within the employment market, who are not covered by the European Economic Area Agreement (EEA-Agreement), to apply for work permit in Norway.
If you belong to the category which may be eligible to apply for work permit from within Norway, you may apply for a visa through the Embassy or the Consulate in Varna in order to obtain work permit after arrival in Norway.
If you are uncertain as to whether you will require visa in order to enter Norway, please click here (Countries whose citizens do not require visa).
You may apply for work permit in accordance with the new Regulations provided;
You are a skilled worker or has special qualifications. Where particular considerations so indicate, higher-level training is required. It is a condition that this competence is deemed necessary for the activity and that the post cannot be filled with resident labour or labour from the European Economic Area. The offer of employment shall normally apply for at least one year.
You intend to work in a typical seasonal activity or in connection with ordinary holiday arrangements. A permit is not granted for a longer period than three months from the date of which the foreign national entered the realm.
Please note that for certain professions you may be required to obtain authorisation of your qualifications – particularly within the health sector. As neither the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration nor the Embassy in Sofia have a list over which qualifications are needed within each individual profession in the country you obtained the qualifications, it is your responsibility to obtain the authorised qualifications. To obtain such authorisation you must apply to relevant Department/Ministry, which in some cases may take time.
If you belong to the above-mentioned categories and wish to work in Norway- and you require visa in order to enter Norway - you will be required to complete a visa application and enclose the following documentation:
2 recent passport size photographs
Your passport
Proof of qualifications and/or proof of work experience within the field you would like to work
If you have already been offered a job; offer of employment from employer in Norway
If you are going to look for work; proof of financial means for three months
The Embassy is required to inform you that even though you have been granted a visa in accordance with the mentioned Regulations, it does not necessarily entitle you to work in Norway. Within 7 days of arrival in Norway, you must apply to the local police in the area you will be working and living.
Other countries
Nationals of other countries must apply for a work and residence permit before taking up employment in Norway.
If you have received an offer of employment in Norway, and you are a resident in Bulgaria, you must apply for the work-and residence permit through the Norwegian Embassy in Sofia or the Norwegian Consulate in Varna.
The time required to process such and application may be several months.
The applicants may not enter Norway during the period in which the application for a work-and residence permit is under consideration.
In order to apply for work-and/or residence permit for Norway, please complete the application form in duplicate.
With the application forms you must enclose the following:
Passport/travel document (you must be able to prove that you have been living in Bulgaria during the last six months or longer)
2 - two - recent passport size photographs
Fee: BGN. 232,- in cash.
For work permit:
A form, "Offer of Employment", duly completed and signed by your future employer in Norway
For residence permit:
Recent bank statement confirming that you are and will be able to support yourself financially in Norway
Proof of accommodation, such as a completed ‘Guarantee Form for Residence’ (the reference in Norway may obtain this form – GP7013 B/E -from the local police in Norway)
For students:
A study plan stating which course of education you will be following in Norway and when completion is expected. (The form is in Norwegian only).
A financing plan
For accompanying family members:
Separate applications must be completed (in duplicate) for each family member.
Spouse:
2 - two - recent passport size photographs
Marriage certificate
Child:
2 - two - recent passport size photographs (write the name of the child on the back of the photographs)
Birth certificate stating both the child’s and the parents’ names
You may lodge the applications in person at the Embassy or at the Consulate in Varna during Consular opening hours, which are from Monday to Friday, between 10 am and 12:30 noon.
After the details in your application has been checked and all necessary documentation has been enclosed, your application will be forwarded to relevant authority in Norway, where – pending on each individual case it may take several months to be processed.
When a decision has been reached, you will be notified by the Embassy or the Consulate in Varana.
The general rule according to the Norwegian Immigration Regulations is that applicants MAY NOT enter Norway during the processing period.