Norway Working Holiday Visa - The Complete Guide

If the Nordic region has always appealed to you, a Norway Working Holiday Visa could be the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the country's rich and diverse culture while being just a stone's throw away from the rest of Europe. This experience allows young travellers to grow personally and professionally, offering a unique chance to advance their careers without compromising on their personal goals.

Ready to start your application? We've gathered all the essential information to help you determine your eligibility, understand the application process, explore available job opportunities, discover the best places to visit, and find top tips for a smooth arrival and transition.

Imagine this:

Oslo: Enjoy a midday picnic at Frogner Park, taking time to wander through the iconic Vigeland sculptures before heading to the Viking Ship Museum to admire one of the best-preserved Viking ships discovered to-date. 

Bergen: Be enchanted by the colourful wooden houses and charming streets of this coastal city, which is perfectly nestled between majestic mountains and the sea—offering a seamless blend of urban charm and natural beauty.

Lofoten Islands: Start your day with fishing, then embark on an afternoon hike—this destination is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a nature-filled adventure that's hard to beat.

Eligibility Requirements for the Norway Working Holiday Visa 

To be eligible for a Norway working holiday visa, you have to meet the following criteria:

• You have to apply at an embassy in your home country.
• You must be a citizen of Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. 
• You must originate from a country that's participating in the program.
• You must be 18 and not older than 31 at the time of application. For Canadians, this is up to the age of 35.
• Proof of your job offer from one specific employer in Norway
• When you arrive in Norway, ensure you have sufficient funds to sustain you for the first three months. This could be cash in hand and/or an offer of paid employment outright. You must have NOK 15,169 for the first month and 15,169 x 3 for the first three months, totaling NOK 45,507.
• The same employer cannot employ you for more than six months while you are in Norway.
• You must obtain medical insurance before entering Norway.

Conditions

• This kind of visa cannot be issued to those who intend to study for more than 3 months. In such a case, you have to apply for a residence permit for study purposes. 
• You are allowed to work in Norway but not for more than 6 months for the same employer.
• The duration of the visa cannot exceed one year at any one time.
• You can't have a permanent job.
• Your friends and relatives do not qualify for a family immigration permit to join you and live in Norway.

Application Process

The Norway Working Holiday Visa requires potential applicants to conduct eligibility checks and assemble necessary documents, which are later submitted to Norwegian immigration authorities.

• Verify eligibility: The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website will help you check whether your country has an active Working Holiday Agreement with Norway.
• Prepare documentation:
  • Completed application form
  • Valid passport (with at least 3 months validity beyond intended stay)
  • Passport-sized photos
  • Proof of funds (bank statements)
  • Return ticket or proof of funds to purchase one
  • Health insurance documentation
  • Police clearance certificate from your home country
• Submit application: Candidates must send applications to the Norwegian embassy or consulate in their home country. Some countries allow applicants to pre-register through their online platforms.
• Pay the application fee: Each country requires an application fee typically amounting to NOK 6,300.
• Attend an interview: You must attend an interview at the embassy or consulate.
• Wait for processing: The processing duration varies from weeks to months. It may take up to 6 months before the officials review your application. Your waiting time may change while your application is being processed with UDI.
• Upon approval: Upon successful approval, you will receive a letter of approval and an entry permit.       

What to Do After Arriving in Norway

Upon entering Norway with your Working Holiday Visa, you’ll need to take several necessary administrative and practical steps before you can establish legal residence and kick-off your Norwegian journey. 

Initial Registration

All foreigners must visit a local police station within seven days of immigration to formalise their residency status. To register, you must present your passport, visa approval letter, and proof of your accommodation. 

Practical Setup

You need to acquire your Norwegian personal identification number (personnummer) at the Tax Office (Skatteetaten) since it is essential for financial services, healthcare access, and job opportunities. You can open a Norwegian bank account by visiting a nearby bank using your passport, residence card, and personal number.

Finding Accommodation

Working Holiday travellers commonly share apartments due to Norway's high cost of living. Choose neighbourhoods that offer access to public transportation routes because this improves transportation options. Also, consider downloading Superlite to connect with expats for easier and more affordable options. 

Job Hunting

Apply for jobs on job portals, connect through expat communities on Superlite, and participate in local events. Jobs in retail, hospitality positions, and seasonal work in tourism are generally available to candidates who speak English. Modify your CV into Norwegian format to increase your chances.

Cultural Integration

Sign up for basic Norwegian language courses through community education centres called folkehøgskole. Participating in local sports clubs or volunteer groups will enable you to meet Norwegian residents and internationals - creating friendships that potentially generate job opportunities.  

Popular Jobs Under the Working Holiday Visa

Work opportunities form an essential element which determines the success of your Working Holiday Visa experience in Norway. The Norwegian employment market provides numerous open positions to temporary workers, particularly in busy seasonal industries, where talent in the English language brings value. 

The available job opportunities for Working Holiday participants include:

Teaching English

English speakers can secure positions as language school teachers and private tutors for conversational English. TEFL certification is necessary, but applicants can find positions with flexible work schedules and competitive pay that enable cultural exchange through teaching English to students.

Jobs in Tourism

The tourism sector in Norway experiences its highest level of activity during both summer and winter, giving rise to positions in tour guides, hotels and customer service departments. Working Holiday visa participants succeed in these positions because they have excellent English language proficiency and strong interpersonal abilities and may receive benefits such as complimentary activities or lodgings.

Work in Fisheries

Norway's substantial seacoast enables the profitable fish business to hire temporary employees to handle fish processing tasks, product packaging, and manufacturing operations. People in fishery jobs face challenging physical conditions but receive competitive pay rates with first-hand experiences of Norwegian maritime traditions and coastal regions.

Jobs in the Oil and Gas Industries

Norway's leading oil and gas industry accepts new workers to operate administrative departments and manage catering services plus logistics processes. The auxiliary services in the oil and gas industry welcome temporary staff who receive higher-than-average salaries while gaining important experience that matters deeply for Norway's substantial petroleum sector.

Seasonal/Agricultural Work

The summer agricultural workforce welcomes unskilled labourers specifically for berry harvesting and crop farming without local language fluency. Labour-intensive agricultural and summer positions provide employees with accommodation, no advanced experience requirements, and rustic Norwegian cultural experiences.

Hot Spots to Visit in Norway 

The local landscape is nothing short of impressive, with the distinct fjords, snowy peaks, and active cultural hubs, it is a destination that will have your breath taken away, often.

Oslo

Oslo is Norway's capital city. It faces the country's southern coastline and is located within the Oslo Fjords. The town stands out because it contains multiple green spaces alongside various museums. The Bygdøy Peninsula houses the Maritime Museum alongside the Viking Ship Museum at its waterfront, showcasing Viking ships from the ninth century. Residents of Oslo enjoy ski jumping at the Holmenkollbakken hill, which faces toward the fjord. It also has a ski museum.

Geirangerfjord 

Every tourist exploring Norway should make the Geirangerfjord a mandatory stop because of its exceptional beauty. This location's Natural wonders include the Seven Sisters waterfalls and mesmerising high cliffs. They provide an extended shore expedition to view a stunning fjord, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and budding photographers. This trip guarantees the visitors a scene of Norway's natural beauty that can only be seen in postcards. 

Bergen

Bergen, often referred to as the 'fjord capital' of the world because of its natural geographical location, is not only the second-largest city in Norway but also a brilliant metropolitan in its right. It is an ideal starting point for the fjord and is closely surrounded by museums, galleries and theatres, revealing Norwegian traditions and modern life.

Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)

Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is one of the most popular sites in Norway, and it provides stunning views of the beautiful Lysefjord. The route to the summit is relatively easy and takes you to the highest cliff, flat-topped, 604 meters above the fjord.

This place is ideal for tourists who get thrills in the wild and natural world. Undoubtedly, the satisfaction that comes with climbing steep terrain and the breathtaking views that will be encountered at Pulpit Rock make it a perfect attraction for outdoor and nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I leave and re-enter Norway during my Working Holiday stay?

The Working Holiday Visa provides unrestricted multiple-entry access to the country throughout your authorised visa term. Under the Working Holiday Visa, you can visit other Schengen countries for 90 days within 180 days. The time spent in other Schengen countries applies to your overall Schengen Area limit, but it does not affect how long your Norwegian visa remains valid.

What type of jobs can I get on a Working Holiday Visa?

Employment options that the Working Holiday participants can choose from include hospitality, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, the retail business, and casual employment. These occupations include hotel attendants, tour guides, restaurant employees, farmers, fishery industry staff, and shop clerks. Seasonal jobs occur especially during the tourism seasons, especially summer and the skiing season.

Do I need to arrange a job before arriving in Norway?

Yes, you must prove your employment status before arriving in Norway through a Working Holiday Visa. Unemployed individuals cannot enter Norway with a Working Holiday Visa since job arrangements are a requirement before entering the country. Therefore, begin your job search earlier than your planned departure date.

How do taxes work for Working Holiday visa holders in Norway?

All Working Holiday visa participants must pay Norwegian income taxes for their Norwegian earnings, which normally reach about 25% for temporary workers. You need a Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) residence permit to obtain a tax card. Working Holiday visa participants in Norway can benefit from double taxation agreements with international countries, which allow them to get tax credit benefits in their home countries.

What happens if I get sick while on a working holiday visa in Norway?

Working Holiday visa participants need comprehensive health insurance that provides coverage from the start to the end of their Norwegian residence. Illnesses during your stay will grant you access to Norway's healthcare system, which requires you to pay initially but submit these payments to your insurance provider. When facing a medical emergency, dial 113 to contact an ambulance that provides service to everyone, irrespective of their insurance condition.

Final Thoughts

The Norway Working Holiday Visa offers a unique opportunity to live and work in one of Scandinavia’s most breathtaking countries while progressing your professional journey. While it’s important to prepare for the high cost of living, Norway rewards you with world-class natural beauty, a strong work-life balance, and a culture consistently ranked among the happiest in the world. With an open mind and adaptable spirit, this experience can offer not only career growth but also meaningful self-discovery in an unforgettable European setting.

If you want to learn about the working holiday visa’s for other countries, we have extensive guides for countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Korea, Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, Estonia, Netherlands, Portugal, Peru, Greece, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Ecuador, Brazil and more coming.