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WORK PERMITS

Do you need a lawyer in Norway for work permit or residency problems?

Navigating the Norwegian immigration process, including obtaining work permits and residency permits, can be a daunting task. It's no surprise then that many people think they need a lawyer to help them.

Published: 25 October 2023 15:55 CEST
Updated: 19 November 2023 08:19 CET

Due to its high standard of living and average wages, Norway is an attractive destination for international citizens seeking better jobs and life opportunities.

However, moving to the country can often involve a lot of red tape – especially if you’re not a national of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country.

EXPLAINED: The rules for moving to Norway for work

Issues related to getting a work or residency permit occur quite frequently. While some might be minor and can be solved with some extra time and patience, others might involve circumstances in which seeking legal counsel may be advisable.

Work permits and residency permits in Norway

Work permits (a type of residence permit) allow foreign nationals to live and work in Norway for a specified period.

Different types of such permits are available in the country, depending on factors such as the applicant’s nationality, job offer, and qualifications.

Obtaining a residence permit for work typically involves a comprehensive application process, including documentation and fees.

You can find out more about the requirements for getting a residence permit for work in Norway in The Local’s guide on the topic.

READ MORE: The most common reason Norwegian permanent residence applications are rejected

Residency permits, as a more general category, are granted to foreign nationals who plan to reside in Norway for extended periods.

In 2022, around 16,000 people were granted permanent residence in Norway. 

Residency permits are typically obtained by family members of Norwegian residents, students, or people seeking family reunification.

These permits also require a thorough application process, which can be intricate and very slow, at times.

Bergen view

Norway is an attractive destination for international citizens seeking better jobs and life opportunities. Moving to the country can be a challenging process. Pictured is Bergen in western Norway. Photo by Stock Birken on Unsplash

When is it advisable to seek help from a lawyer?

There is a broad range of permit-related situations in which it might be a good idea to seek out professional help. Such circumstances may involve administrative errors, highly complex cases, language difficulties, appealing permit decisions, and similar.

The most common ones are usually some of the following:

Complex cases and changing circumstances (career, family): If your situation involves complex legal issues, it’s advisable to consult with an immigration lawyer. Examples of such instances include cases with multiple permit types, appeals, changing circumstances, or requests for exceptions. Furthermore, if your circumstances change while in Norway, such as a job loss or marriage, it may affect your permit status. A lawyer can advise you on how to update your permits accordingly.

Language barrier and other language-related difficulties: Norway’s official language is Norwegian, and many official documents are – unsurprisingly – in Norwegian. If you are not proficient in the language, a lawyer can help you navigate the paperwork and communication with authorities. This is particularly important if your case is complex.

Application errors/omissions and denied applications: Mistakes and omissions in permit applications or processing can lead to delays or denials. A lawyer can help identify and rectify administrative errors proactively, ensuring a smoother process. If your permit application is denied, you may have the right to appeal the decision. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the appeals process and help strengthen your case. Note that, in 2021, around 10 percent of permanent residence applications were rejected as the applicant didn’t fulfil the requirements. 

Legal rights and obligations: Understanding your legal rights and obligations as a foreign national in Norway is crucial – especially if your case meets unexpected hurdles. A specialised lawyer can provide clarity on matters such as employment rights and immigration law.

Dealing with Norwegian immigration authorities: If you face challenges dealing with Norwegian immigration authorities or require negotiations, an attorney can act as your advocate and communicate with Norwegian officials on your behalf.

The pros and cons

So, while not every work permit or residency permit issue in Norway requires legal representation, there are certain situations where consulting with an immigration lawyer is recommended – despite the often hefty costs associated with such services.

Lawyers can provide assistance in navigating complex processes, overcoming language barriers, appealing denials, and protecting your legal rights.

Ultimately, you should base your decision to hire a lawyer on the specific circumstances of your case and your comfort level with the process. Remember, there is no shame in asking for (qualified) help.

Legal advice can often make the difference between a successful permit application and a frustrating setback when it comes to starting your life in Norway – especially if you’re expecting challenges even before the process has formally been initiated.

There is a host of law firms in Norway that have the expertise and specialise in immigration law and residence, such as Reinholdt Advokatfirma, Magnus Legal, and Bergen Legal, to mention just a few.

Some even offer initial consultations free of charge, so make sure to familiarise yourself with the options in your area.

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For members

OSLO

Is Oslo’s project to speed up work permits on track?

The City of Oslo aims to cut work permit processing times in the capital down from nine months to just three days. The Local has contacted authorities to update readers on the latest developments.

Published: 6 May 2024 10:09 CEST
Is Oslo's project to speed up work permits on track?

For years, Norway has been grappling with a shortage of skilled professionals, notably in the technology and IT sectors.

Recognising the need to address this talent gap, The City of Oslo and other partners launched a pilot project in 2023 called Kompetansespor (Competence Track).

The primary goal was to reduce the lengthy wait times for skilled workers to get work permits from around nine months to three days.

READ ALSO: What’s next for Oslo’s plan to slash work permit waiting times?

But what is the current status of the project? And is the new super-fast work permit process any closer to becoming a reality?

How the project has evolved in 2024

Since its inception, Competence Track has evolved into a more ambitious project that goes beyond just cutting work permit times.

The project’s focus has shifted towards new goals, which mostly revolve around exploring the use of a “digital wallet” to streamline the immigration process.

To make this happen, partners involved in the project, such as the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), will collaborate with other key stakeholders from the governmental, municipal, and private sectors.

READ MORE: How Norway’s permanent residence rules have been tweaked

As the UDI explains in a document seen by The Local, a digital wallet refers to “an electronic application or platform that allows users to securely store, manage, and share digital identity credentials and other types of digital data,” which plays a “central role in handling digital evidence or verifiable credentials in a digital ecosystem.”

The wallet allows relevant authorities to access the holder’s paperwork, rather than having documents and credentials stored separately across several portals. 

New goals

The main aim for 2024 is to develop and explore an efficient and user-friendly process flow that can support the immigration of skilled workers to Norway.

According to a document that the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) shared with The Local, other goals for the year include creating a prototype to test the efficacy of the digital wallet in improving immigration processes, investigating the feasibility of pre-qualifying employers to speed up the immigration process, and showcasing how collaboration across sectors can create better services for users.

The project remains committed to reducing administrative burdens, processing times, and information exchange accuracy, as well as preparing Norway for future challenges related to global mobility and digitalisation.

Meanwhile, the Oslo Business Region writes on its website that additional target groups such as students and family members of work permit applicants would be included in the fast track residence permit scheme. 

From the information available at the time of writing, it seems that project will still revolve around Oslo.

Gustav Try, an advisor at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), told The Local that the UDI’s Department of Managed Migration is currently working on a new test phase called “Pilot 2.0”.

“We are currently working on Pilot 2.0, but it is not finalised. The plan is to pilot it on selected students at the University of Oslo (UiO) in August. We are also considering piloting it on skilled workers, including UiO employees, throughout the autumn,” the department said.

Back in September, Thea Ullhaug Pope, senior content developer for the City of Oslo, told The Local that one of the long-term ambitions of the project is to try and get the scheme adopted by other regions and then nationally.

However, while the Competence Track project continues to progress, it seems unlikely that the initial ambition of reducing work permit waiting times from nine months to three days will be achieved on a mass scale anytime soon.

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