How Could You Stay And Find A Job In Norway After Completing A Degree?

Norway is a popular destination for international students because of its high-quality education system and welcoming atmosphere. According to the latest data report November 2022, there are more than 25000 international students enrolled in Norwegian universities. This represents an increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Norway’s universities are more popular among international students because of their high quality education system, the wide range of study programs available in English.

Rules & Regulations For Pakistani Students To Work And Stay In Norway
Requirements For A Job Seeker To Apply For Residence Permit In Norway
Education Requirements For Job Seeker Residence Permit
How To Apply For A Residence Permit For Job Seeker
Waiting Time For An Answer For Job Seeker Residence Permit
What After Getting Job Seeker Residence Permit?
Frequently Asked Questions

Rules & Regulations For Pakistani Students Applying For Job Seeker Residence Permit

After completing a degree in Norway, you need to apply and get a resident permit to stay in Norway for a job. There are some rules and regulations apply to stay in Norway after graduation like

You are not eligible to run your own business in Norway
It’s up to you, you can work as a full-time or part-time worker
You must have a residence permit with the validity of six months

Requirements For A Job Seeker To Apply For Residence Permit In Norway

To apply for a residence permit as a job seeker in Norway, the application process can be done online through the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's website. The following requirements must be met:

Pay an application fee that is (NOK 6300)
You should be a job seeker and look for an employment in Norway (religious leader and teacher professions are banned for internationals)
You must have a resident permit as a student of college/ university from last 9 months and apply for a job seeker residence permit before it expires
You have to show enough money for a year to stay in Norwegian bank (it should be 2,80,000 NOK and your own money). In case if you already have a job offer the income from this job can be included in this bank amount.

Education Requirements For Job Seeker Residence Permit

To apply for a job seeker residence permit in Norway, you must have a

Vocational training education of at least three years like carpenter and health worker
Education degree from a university i.e bachelor’s degree
Some qualifications are skills acquired like painting, for this type of education a job seeker must have a six years work experience (this type applications are mostly rejected)

How To Apply For A Residence Permit For Job Seeker

Students have to follow these three main steps for a successful submission of residence permit application

Get a check list and gather all required documents
Fill the application form
Hand in the application along with documents to a person

Checklist For Job Seeker Recently Graduated In Norway

For a job seeker recently graduated in Norway, the following checklist will help him/her to prepare and apply for a job seeker residence permit. Applicants have to print out this checklist, gather all required documents and bring this checklist along with documents to embassy when they hand in the application to embassy.

Passport and copy of all used pages in passport
Duly filled and signed application form
One passport size photo with white background
Document showing that applicant has somewhere to live in Norway
Show sufficient funds to live in Norway
Bank statement for last six months
Education documents

Some additional documents may be needed for foreigners when applying for job seeker residence permit like

When you have residence permit as university’s students: Document showing that you have graduated or have completed your degree from a Norwegian university
When you have residence permit of additional education: Document stating that your degree is about to be recognized in Norway
If you want to follow up your application by a representative: Power of attorney form

Application Form To Apply For Job Seeker Residence Permit In Norway

Use a Norwegian ID to login at UDI portal (you can use BankID, BuyPass and Commfides to login) if you have an electronic ID
If you don’t have an electronic id, then use your email address and password to login
Fill the complete application form and take print
Go for the third step

Hand In Application In Person

You must go to the service center for foreign workers and submit application by hand

Waiting Time For Job Seeker Residence Permit Processing

After submitting of application to Service Center, it may takes up to 6 months before processing of application.

What After Getting A Job Seeker Residence Permit?

You can stay and look for the job in Norway for next 6 months after issuing the residence permit. Within this time period you are allowed to work full-time or part-time in jobs that do not require skilled workers. Though if you get a job offer letter from an employer you have to apply for work visa/ residence permit as a skilled worker.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 - Who is eligible for a job seeker residence permit in Norway?

Non-EU/EEA citizens who have completed a higher education degree are eligible for a job seeker residence permit in Norway.

2 - How long is the job seeker residence permit valid?

The job seeker residence permit is valid for up to six months.

3 - Can I work with a job seeker residence permit?

Yes, you are allowed to work full-time or part-time with a job seeker residence permit, including jobs that are not skilled workers.

4 - What are the requirements for obtaining a job seeker residence permit?

In addition to having completed a higher education degree one must have a residence permit as student and you must also have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Norway.