Norway declares modifications to seasonal work visa program, set to take impact in 2025

Norway has launched modifications to its Seasonal Work Visa program, which permits overseas nationals to work briefly within the nation.

These updates, set to take impact in 2025, will affect the eligibility standards, utility procedures, and job classes lined beneath this system.

TravelBiz reviews that the modifications are aimed toward addressing labour shortages in particular industries whereas offering overseas employees with short-term employment alternatives in Norway.

This system has lengthy been a key pathway for hundreds of employees searching for jobs in seasonal sectors, comparable to agriculture, tourism, and forestry.

Seasonal work visa

The Seasonal Work Visa permits overseas nationals to work in Norway for a set interval in industries with seasonal demand. Widespread job classes embrace agriculture, forestry, and tourism.

This visa is designed to assist employers handle short-term labour shortages whereas offering employees with worldwide work expertise.
The visa helps employers fill jobs throughout busy occasions after they want further employees, and it additionally offers employees with the possibility to realize expertise in Norway for a restricted interval.
Candidates should meet particular eligibility standards, together with spending at the very least six months exterior of Norway earlier than reapplying. The visa additionally covers employees in sectors the place there’s seasonal demand, however some jobs are excluded from this system.

Adjustments to eligible job classes

The up to date guidelines will restrict the Seasonal Work Visa to particular job sectors. Eligible job classes embrace:

Agriculture: Work comparable to harvesting crops and planting timber.
Forestry: Jobs associated to logging operations.
Tourism: Seasonal roles in hospitality and leisure industries.
Building: Positions in areas with seasonal demand.

Nonetheless, jobs in trades comparable to carpentry, portray, and different comparable professions will not be eligible for the visa. These modifications are anticipated to focus this system on industries the place labor shortages are most important.

Necessities 

To qualify for the Seasonal Work Visa, candidates should meet the next standards:

Employment Supply: Candidates should safe a full-time job supply from a registered Norwegian employer. If working for a number of employers, every should present a separate contract with particular work particulars.
Proof of Lodging: Candidates should present proof of appropriate lodging in Norway throughout their employment.
Enough Funds: Candidates should present they’ve sufficient monetary assets to help themselves throughout their keep with out counting on public help.
Well being Insurance coverage: Candidates are required to have complete medical insurance that covers them throughout their employment in Norway.

These necessities are designed to make sure that employees can stay and work in Norway with out burdening the nation’s social programs.

The right way to apply

The applying course of for the Seasonal Work Visa entails a number of steps:

Job Search: Candidates should first safe a job in an eligible sector.
Doc Preparation: Candidates want to collect all obligatory paperwork, together with proof of employment, lodging, monetary assets, and medical insurance.
Submission: Functions should be submitted by way of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) or an area Norwegian embassy.
Biometric Knowledge: Candidates should attend a biometric appointment to offer fingerprints and different figuring out data.

Norwegian authorities suggest making use of early, as the method might take longer throughout peak seasons. Processing occasions could be delayed if paperwork are incomplete or incorrect.

What to know

With an anticipated improve in demand for seasonal employees, reviews inform that Norwegian authorities plan to challenge as much as 6,000 residence permits yearly for seasonal work.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion has urged potential candidates to start out their preparations properly prematurely to keep away from delays in processing their visa functions.
The up to date guidelines are meant to simplify the appliance course of and focus this system on sectors with the very best demand for seasonal employees.