Move to Norway

Fjords, northern lights and a calm, outdoor-first society

Routes we checked
3
Digital nomad visa
Not in our data
Language
Norwegian; English widely spoken
Currency
NOK

Work permitStudent visaFreelancer and self-employed

Ways to live in Norway

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Work permit Work permits →

Residence permit for skilled workers

For people with a degree, vocational training or long experience who have a concrete full-time job offer from a Norwegian employer.

What you need
University degree, at least 3 years of upper-secondary vocational training, or (rarely accepted) special skills from about 6 years of work. A job offer of at least 80% of full time, with pay and conditions normal for Norway.
How long
Up to 3 years for university-level jobs, up to 1 year for vocational-level jobs
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Online application to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) with the employer's job offer code
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Permanent residence can be requested after 3 years.

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Study permit

For full-time students admitted to an accredited university, university college or vocational school.

What you need
Admission to an institution on the accredited list of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT). Funds for 2025/2026 of NOK 170,368 a year, plus tuition where charged. Work up to 20 hours a week during studies and full-time in holidays; self-employment is not allowed.
Savings
about $16,200
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Online application to the UDI
Family
Family members can come with you

Official page

Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →

Residence permit for self-employed persons

For a qualified professional who wants to run their own sole proprietorship in Norway and work only in it.

What you need
Same qualifications as a skilled worker, the work must need them, and you take an active part in running the business. It should normally be a sole proprietorship expected to earn at least NOK 341,373 a year before tax. No other work, including remote work, is allowed.
Income
from about $2,700 a month
How long
1 year at a time
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Online application to the UDI
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Permanent residence can be requested after 3 years.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat$500
One-bedroom flat$870
Two-bedroom flat$1,370
Bills$150
Typical local salary$4,750

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Norway is built around nature: fjords, ski trails and cabins are part of everyday life. Oslo is green and walkable, Bergen sits between mountains and sea, and Tromsø offers Arctic light. Trust and work-life balance run high.

Day to day

Trains, ferries and domestic flights connect a long, rugged country. Public healthcare is good, though non-urgent waits happen. Payments are almost entirely digital. Norwegians speak excellent English.

Trade-offs

Everything is expensive, from groceries to eating out. Winters are long and dark, especially in the north. Making local friends takes time, and many systems assume a national ID number.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Norway have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How can I move to Norway?

The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed.

Sources and last check

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

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