A: As a student at a recognised university in Norway, you are normally granted a part-time work permit with the first time-residence permit. When applying for a renewal of the student permit you need to enclose a statement from your programme administration that work is not interfering with your studies.
The part- time work permit gives you the opportunity to work upto 20 hours a week during the semester and full time work during regular holidays. The work permit is general, and is not linked to any special employer. An employment contract is not required. If you plan to cover your living expenses with your work income during your stay in Norway, you have to present a concrete offer of employment, showing working hours and salary.
NB: Separate rules apply for citizens of EU/EEA countries.
EU/EEA/EFTA citizens:
Work permit holder’s entitlement. The permit is issued for the same length of time as the studies, up to a maximum of one year at a time. (If you stay for more than two years, the work permit will have to be renewed every year). While the work permit is valid for the duration of one’s programme, permits must be renewed each year. The student work permit entitles the holder to work upto 50% of a full-time position.
The applicant’s closest family can accompany the applicant to Norway by applying for family immigration. The following family members have the right of residence:
- Spouse/partner. There is no requirement for subsistence.
- Cohabitant. Both parties must be over the age of 18, have lived together in a permanent and established relationship as cohabitants for at least two years and intend to continue their cohabitation. It is a condition that neither party is married. There is no requirement for subsistence.
- Cohabitants who have or are expecting a child together even though they have not lived together for 2 years.
- Any relative in a descending line below the age of 21 of one or both spouses. The relative may be both a child, grandchild etc. There is no requirement for subsistence.
- Any relative in a descending line above the age of 21 of one or both spouses when the relative is maintained by them. The relative may be both a child, grandchild etc.
- Any relative in an ascending line of one of the spouses when the relative is maintained by them. The relative may be both parents, grandparents etc.
Family members are granted a residence permit equivalent in duration to the student residence permit. Family members are granted a general employment permit with no stipulations regarding the extent of the work.
The requirement for subsistence in family immigration applications is increasing from July 21 2008. The new requirement is equivalent to civil service pay grade 8, at present NOK 215 200 per year.
For more details, please go to the website of the UDI - the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration
