EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have no working hour limitations. Non-EU/EEA citizens, however, can only work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during the holidays (Christmas, Easter, and the summer holidays) on a study permit.
Information based on your length of stay
Exchange students
Exchange students are students staying one or two semesters at the University of Inland Norway, but are enrolled in a full degree at their home institution.
Getting a job during your stay in Norway is possible, but it is not recommended if you plan to stay only for one semester. Finding a job and acquiring everything you need to receive your first salary can be extensive and take several months. Furthermore, many companies require their employees to speak Norwegian so finding a suitable job can be challenging. It is therefore highly recommended that students staying only one semester in Norway try to find a part-time job in their home country before travelling to Norway.
International full-degree students
International full-degree students are those enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree at the University of Inland Norway. Finding a job can be a bit easier since you will be staying in Norway for a longer time, but it depends on where you will study. E.g., there are almost no job opportunities in Evenstad, so students are not recommended to be reliant on a part-time job. Be aware that many companies require their employees to speak Norwegian so finding a suitable job can be challenging.
Working during your degree (part-time)
EU/EEA citizens
There is no limit to how much you can work during your studies.
Non-EU/EEA citizens
If you have been granted a study permit (non-EU/EEA citizens), you can work while you are studying. Be aware of the working hour limits you have.
If you have only been granted a study permit for one year and have to apply for a renewal, then the work permit will not be automatically renewed with your study permit. UDI will consider whether or not the work permit will be renewed.
Working in Norway after completing your degree
It can be challenging to find a relevant job in Norway after you have completed your degree.
EU/EEA citizens
You are not required to have a permit to stay in Norway after you have completed your degree.
Non-EU/EEA citizens - job seekers
Non-EU/EEA citizens can apply for a job seeker's permit to stay in Norway after their degree to look for a relevant job for up to 1 year. Be aware that:
- You have to apply before your study permit expires.
- Your degree must be completed when applying.
- You need sufficient funds for staying in Norway.
Go to the following UDI webpage, enter your nationality and select "Job seekers" for detailed information (external link).
Non-EU/EEA citizen - skilled worker
If you find a relevant job after completing your degree, you have to apply for "Work permit for skilled workers". Go to the UDI webpage, enter your nationality and select "Skilled worker" for detailed information (external link).
Steps to legally work in Norway
If you wish to get a job, be aware that everything you need to do to get your first salary can take months. See the following steps for more information. Steps 1 and 2 might run together, as it depends on when you have your Police appointment. If you start working before gaining a Tax Card (step 3), 50% of your wages will be held off as tax.
Step 1: Police Appointments
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
Students must visit the Police Appointment to register their stay in Norway within 90 days after arrival. However, Nordic citizens do not need to register with the Police. Skip to step 2.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not get an ID/D Number at the Police Appointment; they must apply for this at the Tax Administration when they apply for a Tax card.
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Students will gain the following after their Police Appointment. These documents are delivered to their student housing or private housing mailbox. Make sure to put your name on your mailbox, and give the correct postal address to the Police.
- A Residence Permit Card from the Police
- An ID/D-number confirmation document from the Tax Administration
It will take a few weeks after the appointment for this to arrive in the mail.
Step 2: Look for a job
Prepare your résumé and CV and visit different locations in your campus area/city/town. Full-degree students are also encouraged to chat with their professors to seek suggestions and recommendations. It is up to you to find a job. The International Office will not help in this process.
You can also look for jobs on the following Norwegian webpages:
- FINN (external link).
- Jobbnorge (external link).
- Jobbsafari (external link).
- KarriereStart (external link).
- NAV (external link).
- Nav's webpage is only available in Norwegian. However, to find English jobs, enter the word "English" in the search bar.
To read about contracts, pay, working environment, working hours and more, check out the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's webpage (external link).
Do check out the webpage on career guidance in Norway (external link).
Step 3: When you have found a job, apply for a Tax Deduction Card
You will need a job contract to apply for a tax deduction card at the Tax Office in Gjøvik or Hamar. All non-Norwegian citizens must have a tax deduction card to work legally in Norway.
- Visit the website of the Norwegian Tax Administration for more information on tax deduction cards for foreign employees (external link).
- The Tax Administration also has a guide on "the 1-2-3 of tax in Norway" (external link).
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must also apply for a D-number or a Norwegian National Identity Number at the Tax Office if this has not been done.
- Visit the website of the Norwegian Tax Administration fore more information on ID/D-number (external link).
When you receive your tax deduction card, inform your employer.
Step 4: Apply for a Norwegian Bank Account
Do the following if you have not yet applied for a bank account.
Students enrolled in Campus Elverum, Evenstad, Hamar or Lillehammer are recommended to open a bank account with Sparebank 1 Østlandet (external link). This bank is recommended due to its easy application process and quick service. When applying, select "Becoming a customer without Bank ID" since you do not yet have this.
- You can open a bank account in any other bank of your choice; it is your own decision.
- Be aware that opening and using a bank account with a Norwegian bank might come with different costs and fees. For detailed information about products, prices, and procedures, please check the website of the different banks or reach out to them directly.
- Complete the online application for customers without a Bank ID and make sure to upload the required documents to the application.
The bank will reach out to you with further information after receiving your application.
Step 5: Inform your employer about your Norwegian bank account number
You will receive information directly from the employer on how to provide information about your Norwegian bank account number.
Step 6: Tax return
Depending on the type of Tax system you applied for with the Tax Administration, you might have to complete a Tax return. This happens once every year.
Depending on the lenght of your stay, you might have to do this:
- Only after returning home or completing your stay/degree.
- During your stay in Norway and after returning home or completing your stay/degree.
Detailed informaiton on tax return can be found on the Tax Administration's webpage (external link).
Step 7: Upon departure from Norway
Close down your bank account
Make sure to transfer the remaining amount from your Norwegian bank account to your bank account in your home country. Since this will be an international transfer, fees may apply.
- Instead of transferring the money, you can withdraw the remaining amount in cash at an ATM and exchange it to the currency of your choice at the airport/in your home country.
- If you plan on bringing cash with you home, make sure to check if there is a limitation for how much cash you can bring with you.
Close your Norwegian bank account. Check with your bank to get detailed information on how to do so before leaving Norway.
Reporting a move from Norway (students staying 2 semesters or longer)
Reporting is only necessary if you have received a Norwegian ID number, not if you have a Norwegian D number. Visit the National Registry's webpage for more information (external link).
- You can report a move online with a bank ID (if you have a Norwegian bank account).
- Please use the paper version if you do not have a Norwegian bank account.