Am I allowed to start working before I have received an answer to my application?

In some cases, the right to work depends on whether you submitted your application at least one month before the expiry of your previous residence permit. Note that the application is not considered delivered until you have met with the police to hand in your application documents.

Suppose you registered the application online and paid the fee at least one month before the expiry of your permit, and that you did not get an appointment with the police until later because of long waiting times for an appointment. In such case, you still have the right to work while we process your application. You are generally entitled to work according to the same terms as your previous permit if you register the application for renewal (or for a permit on a new basis) and pay a fee no later than seven calendar days before the permit expires.

I have applied for a residence permit in Norway for the first time

  • I have applied for a residence permit for the first time
    You cannot start work, including remote work, until you have been granted a residence permit. If you work without permission, you may be expelled.

  • Can I get a temporary work permit while I wait for my application to be processed?
    No, usually not. UDI can only grant a temporary work permit during the application process when it is probable that the application will be granted. It will often be difficult to know whether an application for family immigration can be granted before the case has been processed.

  • Can I participate in volunteer work?
    You do not need a work permit to participate in voluntary work. The rule for what we consider voluntary work is strict.

    Requirements for the work for it to be what we call voluntary work:
    • It must be work you have chosen yourself that you want to do.
    • There must be work for which you do not receive a salary or other compensation.
    • There must be work organised by a humanitarian, non-profit or religious organisation, such as a volunteer centre, a sports club or similar organisations.
    • The tasks you do must be tasks no one is usually paid to do.
    • You cannot volunteer more than 30 hours a week.

I have applied for renewal of a residence permit

  • I have applied for renewal of my residence permit at least one month before the previous permit's expiry.
    Yes, you can work.

  • I have applied for renewal of my residence permit later than one month before the previous permit's expiry.
    No, you do not automatically have the right to work, including remote work. You must contact UDI to ask for permission to work.

I already have a residence permit and have applied for another type of residence permit

  • I have applied for a permit on a new basis at least one month before the expiry of the previous permit.
    Yes, you can work with the same permissions as you have with your current permit. You cannot work more than you were allowed to with your current permit.
    • Permission as a student: usually 20 hours a week, including remote work, and full time during the ordinary holidays, but see the decision you received as a student.
    • Work holidays for Canadian citizens: The residence permit gives general access to work. See your decision letter for more information.
    • Working holiday: You cannot work for more than six months with the same employer.
    • Au pair: You cannot work. Au pair is a cultural exchange where you receive pocket money, board and lodging, and not salary.

  • I have applied for a permit on a new basis later than one month before the expiry of the previous permit.
    No, you do not automatically have the right to work, including remote work. You must contact the UDI to ask for permission to work.