Norway Post-Study Work Visa Complete Guide 2026: Requirements, Cost and Job-Seeking Permit

International students who complete their education in Norway may be able to remain in the country and look for employment through what is commonly called the Norway post-study work visa. Officially, Norway uses a residence permit for job seekers who have recently graduated in Norway.

Eligible graduates can receive this permit for up to one year and may work full-time or part-time while searching for a skilled job. However, applicants must meet qualification, financial and application-timing requirements.

This 2026 guide explains the duration, requirements, financial proof, work rights, fees and what happens when you find a job.

Norway Post-Study Work Visa at a Glance

UDI confirms that the graduate job-seeker permit can be granted for a maximum of one year.

Who Can Apply for the Norway Post-Study Work Visa?

International graduates generally need to be in Norway with a qualifying residence permit and apply before that permit expires.

One of the main qualifying routes is having held a residence permit as a student at a:

• University or university college
• Vocational school
• Upper secondary school

You must have completed your education in Norway and be looking for employment that would qualify you as a skilled worker.

Other eligible categories can include certain researchers and people who completed additional education needed for recognition of foreign qualifications.

Do You Need Your Diploma Before Applying?

Not necessarily.

If your final diploma or transcript has not yet been issued, UDI allows graduates to document completion using confirmation from their educational institution.

The confirmation should show that:

• You submitted your final thesis or completed your final exams.
• You completed the remaining credits required for the qualification.
• The institution confirms the relevant completion date.

This can be useful for graduates whose student residence permit is approaching expiry before their diploma is formally issued.

How Long Can You Stay in Norway After Graduation?

The Norway graduate job-seeker residence permit can be granted for a maximum of:

1 year

This is substantially different from the separate six-month job-seeker arrangement that can apply to certain visa-free skilled workers who come to Norway specifically to search for employment.

International students who recently completed education in Norway fall under the graduate route discussed in this article.

How Much Money Do You Need?

Norway requires graduates to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves.

For the current 2026 level, UDI states that applicants must have at least:

• NOK 28,448 per month
• NOK 341,373 for one year

The money must normally be your own funds and is usually required to be held in a Norwegian bank account.

If you already have employment while searching for a relevant skilled position, income from that job can potentially be included when demonstrating sufficient financial resources.

Can You Work During the Norway Job-Seeker Permit?

Yes.

This is one of the major advantages of Norway’s post-study route.

UDI states that graduates holding this permit may:

• Work full-time
• Work part-time
• Take jobs that do not themselves require skilled-worker qualifications while searching for a relevant skilled position

However, your goal must remain finding employment as a skilled worker in Norway.

This means graduates are not restricted to only 20 hours per week as they normally are under a standard student residence permit.

Can You Become Self-Employed?

No.

UDI specifically states that holders of the graduate job-seeker permit:

• Cannot be self-employed
• Cannot operate their own business under this permit

If entrepreneurship is your goal, you would need to investigate another immigration route with its own requirements.

When Should You Apply?

You must apply before your existing qualifying residence permit expires.

UDI recommends submitting the job-seeker application at least:

1 month before your current permit expires.

A practical timeline is:

1. Complete your degree.
2. Obtain your diploma or university completion confirmation.
3. Prepare evidence of sufficient funds.
4. Register the job-seeker application.
5. Submit it while your student permit is still valid.
6. Begin actively searching for skilled employment.

Do not wait until after your student residence permit has expired.

How Much Does the Norway Post-Study Work Visa Cost?

UDI requires a fee for the graduate job-seeker residence permit.

Its current fee schedule lists NOK 6,300 for adult residence-permit applications for work, including renewals.

Because immigration fees can change, applicants should verify the amount shown in UDI’s application portal immediately before payment.

What Kind of Job Should You Find?

The purpose of the permit is ultimately to find employment for which you qualify as a skilled worker.

Relevant qualifications can include:

• A university or university-college degree
• A qualifying vocational education
• Certain special professional qualifications

For university graduates, the eventual position normally needs to require qualifications corresponding to your education.

Common sectors for international graduates include:

• Information technology
• Engineering
• Energy
• Finance
• Healthcare
• Research
• Maritime industries
• Construction
• Data and technology

Regulated professions such as healthcare may require separate Norwegian authorization.

What Happens When You Find a Skilled Job?

Once you obtain qualifying employment, you can apply for a Norwegian residence permit as a skilled worker with an employer in Norway.

The job normally needs to:

• Be a concrete employment offer.
• Usually be full-time.
• Require skilled-worker qualifications.
• Provide salary and employment conditions that are normal in Norway.

For sectors without a collective agreement, UDI’s current salary benchmarks include at least:

• NOK 624,700 annually where the position requires a master’s degree.
• NOK 545,400 annually where the position requires a bachelor’s degree.

UDI can accept lower pay in limited circumstances if strong evidence shows that the lower salary is normal for the occupation and location.

Does the Job-Seeking Year Count Toward Permanent Residence?

No.

This is a crucial detail for students considering long-term immigration.

UDI explicitly states that the period spent on the graduate job-seeker residence permit does not count toward permanent residence.

Standard student residence permits also generally do not count toward permanent residence.

After obtaining a qualifying skilled-worker residence permit, however, the situation changes. Certain skilled-worker permits can form the basis for permanent residence, subject to meeting all applicable requirements.

Can Your Family Stay With You?

If your family members already hold family-immigration permits and live with you in Norway, UDI states that they can apply to renew their permits while you hold the graduate job-seeker residence permit.

When family applications are submitted at the same time as the graduate’s application, UDI can process the applications together.

Family rules vary according to individual circumstances, so applicants should review the relevant family-immigration requirements separately.

Final Thoughts

The Norway post-study work visa in 2026 allows qualifying international graduates to remain in Norway for up to one year while looking for skilled employment.

The route is particularly flexible because graduates may work full-time or part-time while searching. However, applicants must demonstrate significant financial resources — currently NOK 28,448 per month or NOK 341,373 for a full year — and must apply before their existing residence permit expires.

Once you secure qualifying skilled employment, the next step is usually to move from the job-seeker permit to a Norwegian skilled-worker residence permit.

Official Sources

• UDI – Job Seekers and Recent Graduates
• UDI – Skilled Worker Residence Permits
• UDI – Official Application Fees