Work and travel in
Norway
How to
apply
Who can apply?
To work in Norway through the Youth Mobility program, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen
- be 18-35 years old (inclusive),
- live in Canada when applying, and
- have a Canadian passport that’s valid for at least 3 months more than the length of your stay
- for example, if you’re staying in Norway for 6 months, your passport must be valid for at least 9 months
Other requirements may apply, check Norway’s website for more details.
What type of work visa do I need?
You need to apply for a Youth Mobility permit. This visa has five categories:
Category a
Post-secondary graduates who want additional training under a pre-arranged contract of employment (job offer) to increase their knowledge of Norwegian language, society and culture.
Category b
Registered post-secondary students who want to complete part of their curriculum at an institution in Norway as part of an inter-institutional work-study agreement.
Category c
Young Canadians who want to complete an internship under a pre-arranged contract of employment (job offer) in a business in Norway. The internship must be related to their studies or training.
Category d
Registered post-secondary students who want to work in Norway during their academic vacation.
Category e (Working Holiday)
Young Canadians who want to travel to Norway and work temporarily to help finance their trip.
Do I need a formal job or internship offer?
Yes, you need a job offer (pre-arranged contract of employment) or a formal internship offer if you apply to:
- Category a
- Category b
- Category c
No, you don’t need one if you apply to:
- Category d
- Category e
Under category e, you can only work for the same employer for a maximum of six months.
How long can I stay and work?
You can stay and work in Norway for up to 12 months.
You can participate in Norway’s Working Holiday program twice. The second participation must be in a different category.
Start your
Adventure
About Norway
Norway is in northern Europe sharing a border with Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Due to the Gulf Stream and warm air currents, Norway has a friendlier climate than their location would suggest. The coldest areas in the winter are often inland or far to the north. In the summer, over the Arctic Circle the sun does not set, meaning visitors to Northern Norway enjoy 24 hours of daylight this time of year, a phenomenon known as "midnight sun".
Norway is a pioneer in renewable energy and environmental technology. The nation has set ambitious goals for more sustainable energy use. Renewable energy and clean technology in general, as well as medical and biotechnology represent interesting emerging industries.
Many people hike to explore the Norwegian fjord landscape or take guided tours on a glacier. Forty-four national parks, which are free and open to the public all year, are additional playgrounds for recreational adventures. Norway also hosts an annual Extreme Sports Week at the mountainous village of Voss. The area boasts of mountains, glaciers, rapids, cliffs and lakes. At the event you’ll see base jumping, white-water kayaking, mountain biking, kitesurfing, paragliding and tons of other extreme sports.
Plan your trip
The best way to make sure your trip is the experience of a lifetime is to plan. Review our travel checklist to find out what you should know or do before travelling to and working in a foreign country.
Before you leave, remember to register as a Canadian abroad to receive notifications in case of an emergency while you are abroad or of a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest.
Recognized Organizations
Need help planning? One of IEC’s recognized organizations might be able to help you find a job, transportation, and provide travel advice.
Most recognized organizations charge a fee for their services.
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