The job offer form (arbeidstilbudsskjema) is the standard form used to give the Norwegian immigration authorities information about the employment relationship in many work permit cases. This article explains when the form is required, who must sign it, and how a missing form is handled, as of the review date.
Legal basis
A residence permit for work under Section 23 of the Immigration Act requires, among other things, a concrete job offer (Section 23 first paragraph letter d). As a main rule, the offer must be for full-time work for one employer.
Under Section 6-9 first paragraph of the Immigration Regulations, an employer who has made a concrete job offer to an applicant under Sections 6-1 to 6-7 is responsible for providing information on the prescribed job offer form. The form is to be signed by both the employer and the applicant, unless UDI has provided otherwise in guidelines. UDI may also issue guidelines on who is to be regarded as the employer (Section 6-9 second paragraph).
When is the form required?
The form is required where the applicant has a concrete job offer and applies for a permit under Sections 6-1 to 6-7 of the Immigration Regulations. These include permits for:
a skilled worker (Section 6-1 first or second paragraph);
a seasonal worker (Section 6-3);
an unskilled worker from Russia in the Barents region (Section 6-4);
a Russian cross-border commuter (Section 6-5);
a seafarer (Section 6-6); or
a worker covered by a group permit (Section 6-7).
The current form and instructions are available on udi.no. Use the version UDI publishes at the time of application.
Content of the form
The purpose of the form is to give the authorities the information they need to assess whether the conditions for the permit are met, such as the position, pay and working conditions. According to UDI’s guidelines:
all fields should be completed, or marked as not relevant;
additional documentation about the employment should only be attached where there is not enough space on the form; and
if the job offer changes while the application or an appeal is being processed, the employer should submit a new form.
Signatures
The main rule is that both the employer and the applicant sign the form (Section 6-9 first paragraph). The Regulations allow UDI to provide otherwise in guidelines. According to UDI’s guidelines, exceptions may be considered in some situations, for example where other signed documents contain the information about the employment relationship. Whether an exception applies must be checked against UDI’s current guidelines in each case.
UDI’s guidelines also state that an employment contract does not in itself replace the job offer form, even if it contains similar information.
Missing or incomplete form
The application must be submitted in accordance with the requirements in Section 10-2 of the Immigration Regulations, including the documentation required. An application that is not submitted in accordance with the first to fifth paragraphs of Section 10-2 may be refused (Section 10-2 ninth paragraph).
In practice, the foreign service mission, the police or UDI may ask for a missing or incomplete form to be submitted, and may set a deadline. If the form is not provided, the application may be refused. Respond to any request by the stated deadline.
Authorised representatives
The employer
UDI’s guidelines state that an employer may be represented by an advokat or another authorised representative who completes the form on the employer’s behalf. The employer remains responsible for the information provided.
The applicant
Under Section 12 of the Public Administration Act (the 1967 Act currently in force), a party has the right to be represented by an advokat or another representative at all stages of the case. A representative who is not an advokat must present a written authorisation.
Some steps must still be taken by the applicant personally:
Personal attendance: UDI’s guidelines determine when the applicant must attend in person, for example to confirm identity (Section 10-2 fifth paragraph).
Signature on the form: the form is to be signed by the applicant, unless UDI’s guidelines provide otherwise (Section 6-9 first paragraph).
Application by the employer
With a written authorisation from the applicant, the employer may submit the application from Norway on the applicant’s behalf (Section 10-3 first paragraph).
How we can help
We assist employers and applicants with work permit applications, including the job offer form and responses to requests from UDI. Contact us if you would like Advokatfirmaet Sterk AS to look at your situation.
This article provides general information as of 29 October 2026 and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
