How To Get Residency in Norway | A Complete Guide
Capital: Oslo
Population: 5,601,049 (2025, 116th)
Ethnic Groups: 81.5% Norwegian
Area: 385,207 km2(61st)
Offical Language: Norwegian
Currency: Norwegian krone (As of July 11, 2025, 1 NOK = 0.099 USD)
GDP per Captial (PPP): $103,446 (2025, 5th)
Human Development Index: 0.970 (2023, 2nd)
Country Profile:
Norway, located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe, is a highly developed country. Its economy primarily thrives on the oil and gas industry, with other significant sectors including fishing, shipbuilding, and maritime transport. Notably, Norway consistently ranks among the countries with the highest per capita income and quality of life globally.
Geographically, Norway’s climate is largely influenced by the North Atlantic Current. This results in mild and humid conditions along its coastlines, while inland and northern regions experience comparatively colder temperatures. Popular outdoor activities vary with the seasons, encompassing skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
Visa & Immigration System:
Despite a relatively small population of fewer than six million, Norway hosts a substantial number of long-term foreign residents, currently standing at 877,200 individuals. The predominant categories for Norwegian visas are presently those for refugees and work permits.
While Norway is a member of the European Union, it has notably opted not to participate in the distinguished EU Blue Card program. Consequently, securing a Norwegian work visa necessitates obtaining employment with a local Norwegian employer and fulfilling specific income criteria. Comprehensive details regarding the various categories and application procedures for Norwegian work visas are available here.
For foreign nationals who lack employer sponsorship, the independent contractor visa typically presents the most accessible route to Norwegian residency.
This visa category mandates that applicants establish their own company within Norway, demonstrate at least one Norwegian client, and achieve an annual income of no less than €35,719.
It is important to note that Norway does not offer a dedicated investment visa nor a standard digital nomad visa option. However, in an initiative to attract international visitors, the Svalbard region—situated in northern Norway near the Arctic Circle—provides a unique Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa that effectively serving as a lifetime permit.
The Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa requires applicants to function as remote workers with a minimum annual income of €35,000. This visa is distinguished by its indefinite validity, effectively serving as a lifetime permit, and the entire application process can be completed online.
The primary consideration for prospective applicants, however, lies in their willingness to commit to long-term residency in Svalbard—a destination characterized by alternating periods of polar night and midnight sun, logistical challenges concerning supply transport, and an environment that is both exceptionally isolated and remarkably beautiful.
Dependents:
For all Norwegian immigration visas, the primary applicant’s spouse and minor children can also receive a visa as dependent applicants.
Permanent Residency & Citizenship:
After legally residing in Norway for three years, foreign nationals may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. To qualify, they must meet certain conditions: they must have no criminal record, demonstrate an annual income of 296,550 NOK for the year prior to application, and possess basic Norwegian language skills.
Foreign nationals holding Norwegian permanent residency can apply for naturalization (citizenship). Eligibility requires having lived in Norway for eight of the past eleven years (or three years if married to a Norwegian citizen and residing in Norway). Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a solid understanding of Norwegian language (achieving B1 or higher on the Norwegian language test), society, culture, and customs, have no criminal record, and remain within Norway from the time of application until the naturalization process is complete.
Passport Power:
Norway recognizes dual citizenship. Its passport is ranked jointly 4th in the world. Norwegian citizens can freely travel (either visa-free or with visa on arrival) to 188 countries and regions globally. (July 11st, 2025)
Useful Links：
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)：https://www.udi.no/en