No more resident permits for jobseekers to Norway...

As of the 15th January 2013, it will no longer be possible to apply for a residence permit for specialists or a residence permit for skilled jobseekers. Those who applied before 15th January, will have their application fee refunded.

SOURCE:
 http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/News/2012/Option-for-specialist-residence-permits--closed

Information for those who have applied for a residence permit for specialists or a residence permit for skilled jobseekers

Have you submitted an application for such a permit? Then your application will be rejected because this kind of permit does not exist anymore. If you applied before January 15th, you will be able to get your application fee refunded.

In order to get back the money you have paid, please contact the embassy or consulate where you handed in your application (or where you had booked an appointment to hand in your application documents)

If you still wish to work in Norway, you can check whether you fill the criteria for askilled worker's permit. If you do, you can submit a new application for this permit.

Information to those who already have a residence permit for specialists

If you already have a residence permit for specialists, you will be able to renew this if you still fulfill the criteria.

Residence permit for specialists

Residence permits for specialists has been a scheme  which has made it possible to apply for a residence permit if you have an annual salary of at least NOK 500 000.

The ministry of Labour has decided that this scheme will be closed down. The reason for this is that the scheme has not been used as intended and that it has been abused.

Residence permits for skilled jobseekers

The scheme for residence permits for skilled jobseekers will also be closed down. The reason is that very few of the job seekers found relevant work in Norway and that many applicants handed in forged documents. 

Residence permits for skilled workers

If you are a skilled worker and have been offered a job in Norway, you can apply for aresidence permit for skilled workers. (No changes have been made to the regulations for this permit, nor to the early employment scheme).