How to apply for the Norway entry visa as a skilled worker or self-employed person in 2022

Norway has joined the leagues of countries now issuing entry visas and residence permits to skilled workers and self-employed persons. The Norway entry visa is one of the many opportunities Nigerians who wish to japa to Europe can hop on.

Norway is a Scandinavian country with beautiful weather, mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. The largest and most famous city is Oslo, the capital, which is a city of green spaces and museums. Since the turn of the century, immigration has accounted for more than half of Norway’s population growth.

The Norway entry visa opportunity is open to individuals outside the European Union and the European Economic Areas and those who wish to apply for a residence permit, formerly known as a work permit.

Entry visa requirements differ among countries, but this Norway entry visa is solely for international workers and prospective immigrants with skills beneficial to the Norwegian labour market.

This article explains all the key points you need to know before applying for an entry visa.

Read Also: Japa: 4 not-so-popular countries with exciting prospects for tech bros

The Norway Entry Visa

The Scandinavian country is open to exploring foreign talents, and specific individuals such as skilled workers, seasonal workers, the self-employed or workers in humanitarian, non-profit or religious organisations can apply for a residence permit as skilled workers.

As a skilled worker, you need to receive a job offer from a firm in the country to be eligible for the Norway entry visa. If you are self-employed, your business must meet certain income requirements to be granted the Norway entry visa.

By now, you might be wondering what makes a person a skilled worker, here are some of the requirements.

Skilled worker entry visa option

Skilled workers have exceptional skills, training, and knowledge that they can then apply to their job field. Their expertise would benefit the industry in which they seek to work.

Educational qualifications of a Skilled Worker

As a skilled worker, there are some specific requirements that you need to possess before you can be granted a Norway entry visa. You must have at least one of the following educational qualifications.

• You must have completed a three-year minimum vocational training program at the upper secondary school level.
• You must have graduated from a university or college.
• You must possess special qualification skills that you have obtained through a long work experience.

Eligibility requirements

For skilled workers, apart from the educational requirements, there are other requirements to be eligible for the entry visa. They are,

• Skilled workers must have gotten a job offer from a Norwegian employer
• The job offer must be a full-time position or at least 80%
• The job must require the educational qualifications of a skilled worker, and you must meet these qualifications.

If you are going to work in an occupation for which recognition or authorisation is required (external website), you must have such recognition or authorisation. Health personnel, for example, must enclose an authorisation or licence from the Norwegian Directorate of Health (external website).

Also, if you are to work through a staffing agency, you must present a list of the assignments that the employer has planned for you. The assignments must be confirmed by the business/businesses you are carrying out the assignments for. It is only possible for you to get a residence permit when you are carrying out the assignments on this list. The staffing agency must be registered in the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority’s register (external website).

Read Also: A complete guide to getting a Tech nation visa (UK Global Talent visa)

Self Employment entry visa option

This is also an excellent choice for people who own businesses and want to move to Norway. Although the standards for self-employment visas and those for skilled employees are different, they fall into the same category.

There are two options in this category: self-employed with a business in Norway and self-employed with a business outside of Norway. The educational requirements are similar to the skilled worker option.

Eligibility requirements for self-employed individuals

• Self-employed persons must already have plans to engage in long-term business activities in Norway.
• The business must be your sole proprietorship. It cannot be a limited company, and you must work only in this business and not elsewhere.
• The work you will be doing must require the educational qualifications of a skilled worker.
• Your business must give you a profit of at least 246,246 NOK (27,025 USD, about 12m Naira) annually before taxes.
• You might be required to submit business permits from public authorities.

Self-Employed Persons with a Company Abroad

• Persons must be self-employed with a contract with an established business abroad to carry out an assignment in Norway for one specific enterprise.
• The business the person works for in Norway must have a registered address there.
• The business’s remuneration cannot be less than the average in Norway.
• The work you will be doing must require the qualifications of a skilled worker.
• If your work is a regulated profession, you will have to present a license.

Read Also: Want to be a digital nomad? Here are 5 African countries to consider

Other perks

The Norway entry visa comes with a few extra benefits, such as specific rights that are immediately granted to you after you receive the visa.

Skilled workers who receive the Norway entry visa are permitted to immigrate to Norway with their immediate families under the family immigration visa program as long as they can financially support their dependents.

However, before bringing them in, these individuals must earn at least 306,700 NOK (33,650 USD).

How to apply for the Norway entry visa

Applying for the visa is a seamless process as long as the appropriate documents are in the applicant’s possession. The visa will be processed within three months of completing the application.

• All applications for any visa start from the Norwegian embassy, and the Norway entry visa is no exception.
• There is a fee for the visa application. It costs 6300 NOK (about 650 USD, 285ooo Naira)
• When filling out the application form, the option to select should be visitor visa but MAKE sure to write in the application that you wish to be granted an entry visa (D visa).
• You will also need to submit the documents requested for a residence permit.
• Once that is done, the embassy will contact you regarding your application.
• If rejected, you can submit a written appeal to get your application reevaluated again.

It is essential to keep in mind that you need to apply for the correct visa to live and work legally in Norway. Also, it is vital to submit the correct documents and keep track of the process so as not to cause complications.

Safe trip to Norway!!!