Norway
NORNorway is a high-income Nordic country, EFTA + EEA + Schengen member but not in the EU. Universal public healthcare (free at point of use), one of the world's strongest social safety nets, and very strong English proficiency. Non-EEA long-stay residency is mostly via skilled employment, family reunification, or specific niche tracks (researchers, fishermen, ministers of religion). Naturalisation since 2020 permits dual citizenship. Tax system is comprehensive: progressive income tax up to ~47% plus a 22% flat capital tax and a wealth tax above NOK 1.7 million.
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Oslo
- Region
- europe
- Population
- 5,550,000
- Cost-of-living
- 100 /100
Passport Rank
#4
Visa-Free
157
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Norway passport has visa-free access to 157 destinations. See the full Norway passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Norway without a prior visa (91)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Norway
Current IRCC processing times for Norway nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 65 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 3 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Oslo
- Currency
- Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Languages
- Norwegian
- Population
- 5,550,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 7 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen
- Climate
- Cold temperate
- English Proficiency Rank
- #5
- GDP per capita
- $94,594
- Life expectancy
- 83.16 yrs
- Population growth
- 0.69%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
100
Safety
92
Healthcare
81
Quality of Life
197
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 7 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo | $1,700 | $1,300 | $460 | $165 | $90 |
| Bergen | $1,200 | $950 | $430 | $145 | $85 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- Skilled Worker
- Student
- Job Seeker
- Family Immigration
- Self-Employed
- EU/EEA Registration
- Au Pair (closed)
- Authority
- UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet)
- Official Portal
- udi.no
- Phone
- +47 23 35 15 00
- post@udi.no
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 7
- Language Test
- Yes (Norwegian B1)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $350
- Processing
- ~18 months
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo International School | Bekkestua / Oslo area | IB | $17,000–$26,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
195 Mbps median
85% fibre coverage
eSIM: Telenor, Telia Norge, Ice
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #11
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Limited
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Limited
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Norway, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Norwegian Bar Association
AdvokatforeningenRegulates advokater practising law in Norway, including immigration legal services.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Norway, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Work (sponsored)
International Company Assignment Permit
Work (sponsored)Residence permit for skilled workers employed abroad who are assigned to a Norwegian branch or Norwegian client company.
Skilled Worker Residence Permit (Oppholdstillatelse som faglaert)
Work (sponsored)Norway's main work permit for skilled workers requires a concrete job offer, relevant qualifications, normally full-time work (at least 80% can be accepted), and pay that meets UDI's normal-pay rules. It can lead to permanent residence after 3 years.
Study
Student Residence Permit (Oppholdstillatelse for studier)
StudyResidence permit for international students at Norwegian universities — tuition-free at public institutions, with part-time work rights.
Work (unsponsored)
Job-Seeker Visa (Oppholdstillatelse for aa soeke arbeid som faglart)
Work (unsponsored)Up to 1-year residence permit to enter Norway and search for skilled employment in person — available to qualified professionals.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified