An increasing number of skilled workers wish to work in Norway, and India is the top source country. In the past two years, the number of skilled workers has increased 10-fold. In the first six months of 2005, 24 Indian citizens were granted work permits, while so far this year the number has reached 289 permits.

 

But this trend is not limited to skilled workers, as the overall number of work migrants is also increasing. So far this year 25 500 new work permits have been granted in addition to 20 400 renewals. In the first six months of 2006, in comparison, 17 800 work permits and 14 400 renewals were granted. The amount of work granting these permits is increasing accordingly.

 

Permits for skilled workers, January- June 2007:

 

 

 

This fall a new pilot project will make it possible to aply for visa online. This project will be tested by the embassy in Edinburgh, and later extended to other foreign service missions. The outcome is likely to be better service for the applicants and less work for the foreign service missions. An equivalent project is to be developed for work permit applicants. The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion has provided NOK 15 million to this project, and will continue to provide funds for another two years.

 

-We are developing an electronic sollution to provide better service for employers and employees. We will ensure that the applications arrive quickly and that the applications are completed correctly. This way the UDI will make sure that quick case processing without unnecessary delays, says managing Head of Department in the UDI, Morten Hansen.

 

Hansen is empahising the importance for both employers and employees to provide all necessary documentation along with the application.

 

- Still the preparations from the employers may have great effect on the processing times, says Hansen.