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What do the transitional rules mean for job seekers like you?

You have the right to stay in Norway for up to six months while you look for work here. When you contact NAV you will be registered as a job seeker and can then take advantage of the services NAV offers.

You have the right to look for work in Norway for up to three months while receiving unemployment benefit from your home country.

When you are offered a job you need to have submitted an application for a residence permit as an employee before you can start working in Norway.

You will receive a residence permit as an employee if you can present an:

• Employment contract for fulltime work (or a position equivalent to at least 80 % of a fulltime job)
• Your pay cannot be lower and your working conditions poorer than those under the applicable collective agreement or that would be regarded as normal for that occupation. Two part-time jobs that added together would equal one fulltime job are counted as fulltime work.
• Your first residence permit as an employee will be issued for a period equivalent to the agreed term of employment, up to a maximum of one year.

Where should I send my application for a residence permit as an employee?

If you are in Norway, your application for a residence permit as an employee should be sent to your nearest police station.

If you are applying from your home country, your application should be sent to your nearest Norwegian embassy/consular office. The time taken to process applications may vary.

How long do the transitional rules apply for?

Once you have been legally resident in Norway with a residence permit as an employee and in fulltime work for a consecutive period of 12 months, the transitional rules will no longer apply to you. You will have the same rights pursuant to the EEA agreement as other citizens of EEA member states.

The transitional rules do not apply to:

• Posted employees, in other words if you are employed by a foreign employer and are going to perform a service/engagement in Norway on behalf of that employer.
• Self-employed people who own their own firm and are going to engage in business activity in Norway.
• Students
•  Family members who have been granted residence in Norway pursuant to the conditions for family reunification.