Norway Independent contractor visa | A Complete Guide
What’s Self-Employment Visa?
A self-employment visa is a popular type of freelance visa common in Europe. It’s generally issued to freelancers or individuals who own small businesses and whose work has a connection to the destination country. It is specifically designed for individuals who are not citizens of the European Union.
Countries like Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Norway, and the Czech Republic — in fact, nearly 90% of European nations, especially those in Western and Northern Europe — offer self-employment visa options. This type of visa typically has two main characteristics:
1. Income Requirements: Most countries set a minimum stable monthly income that applicants must meet to be eligible for their self-employment visa.
2. Economic Connection to the Destination Country: Generally, you’ll need to demonstrate some economic ties to the country. This could mean having local clients, producing goods sold locally, or working in a profession that is in high demand or short supply in that region.
For non-EU citizens, the application process for a self-employment visa in most countries can be somewhat complex and challenging. You’ll likely need to provide a variety of supporting documents and business plans related to your commercial activities. You might also be required to attend an in-person interview or prove a certain level of language proficiency.
Nevertheless, upon approval, this visa confers a considerable degree of professional autonomy and adaptability. A self-employment visa can effectively function as an extended-stay Schengen visa. Furthermore, provided legal residency is maintained in the local jurisdiction, individuals are generally afforded eligibility for European permanent residency or even naturalization after a prescribed period of continuous residence.
Norway Independent Contractor Visa: An Overview
Norway offers an Independent Contractor Visa, which is a long-term residence permit designed for self-employed individuals. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Age, Health, and Criminal Record: You must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and have no criminal record.
Established Business: You must own and operate your own company; mere freelancers are not eligible to apply.
If you’re a freelancer, consider establishing a company remotely through Estonia’s e-Residency program. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) accepts applications from such entities.
However, if your long-term goal is to obtain Norwegian permanent residency, the most effective approach is to enter Norway and register a company locally. Be aware that an Independent Contractor Visa obtained through an overseas company does not qualify you for local permanent residency.
Stable Annual Income: You must demonstrate a stable annual income of at least €35,719.
Norwegian Clientele: Your business must have at least one Norwegian client, and you must provide proof that this client provides sufficient remuneration for your services.
Proof of Residence: You must have a confirmed place of residence in Norway.
Application Process:
The application process for Norway’s Independent Contractor Visa generally involves these key steps:
1. Enter Norway and Prepare Documents
To demonstrate your economic connection to Norway, you’ll typically need to enter the country at least once on a Schengen visa. While there, you should secure a long-term address, purchase health insurance, and gather all documents related to your Norwegian business dealings.
Required documents for the Norwegian Independent Contractor Visa include:
Applicant’s Personal Information: This covers passports for all primary and dependent applicants, two passport-sized photos, and documents proving relationships for dependents (e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificates).
Application Form: You can download the official application form from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website.
Proof of Work: This includes documentation of your self-employment, evidence of your business relationship with Norway (including bank statements showing income), and your resume detailing your educational and work background.
Criminal Record Check: Every adult primary and dependent applicant must provide a criminal record check from their long-term country of residence.
Proof of Health Insurance: You’ll need to purchase Schengen-valid health insurance for each primary and dependent applicant, renewable annually.
Proof of Visa Fee Payment: The visa fee is €600, payable when you submit your application.
2. Submit Your Application
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials, you can register an account online, schedule your visa application appointment, and pay the visa fee.
After successfully booking your appointment, you’ll need to submit your application in person. If you’re applying from within Norway, visit your nearest Norwegian police station. If you’re applying from outside Norway, go to your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate.
3. Visa Approval
The processing time for the Norwegian Independent Contractor Visa usually takes two to four months. Once approved, you and your family will receive a two-year Norwegian residence permit, allowing you to make arrangements to move to Norway.
Dependents:
With the Norwegian Independent Contractor Visa, the primary applicant’s spouse and minor children are eligible to receive visas as dependent applicants.
Visa Validity:
The Norwegian Independent Contractor Visa is initially valid for one year and can be continuously renewed, provided the original conditions are still met.
For visas applied with an overseas company: You can reside in Norway for a maximum of six years.
For visas applied with a Norwegian company: After legally residing in Norway for three years, you may be eligible to apply for local permanent residency. To qualify, you’ll need to meet specific conditions, including having no criminal record, an annual income of 296,550 NOK for the year prior to application, and demonstrating basic proficiency in the Norwegian language.
Foreign nationals holding Norwegian permanent residency may apply for naturalization (citizenship) in Norway. Eligibility requires having resided in Norway for a total of eight out of the past eleven years (or three years if married to a Norwegian citizen and living in Norway). Additionally, applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the Norwegian language (B1 or higher on the Norwegian language test), society, culture, and customs, have no criminal record, and remain in Norway from the time of application until naturalization is complete.