If you come to Norway to work, you will often need to deal with several public authorities at the start of your stay. The Service Centre for Foreign Workers (Servicesenter for utenlandske arbeidstakere, SUA) is designed to make this easier. This article gives a practical overview for applicants and employers.
What SUA is
According to SUA’s own website, SUA is a collaboration between the police, the Norwegian Tax Administration, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). The aim is that foreign workers can sort out the practical steps needed to work in Norway in one place.
As of 29 October 2026, SUA states that it has offices in Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim and Kirkenes (sua.no). Addresses, opening hours and the services available at each office may change, so check sua.no before you visit.
Who can use SUA
SUA states that it can help:
foreign workers;
family members of foreign workers; and
employers of foreign workers.
Services at SUA
According to SUA, the different desks offer the following services:
Police/UDI: get a registration certificate (EU/EEA nationals), apply for a residence card, and hand in supporting documents for a residence permit application submitted from Norway.
Tax Administration: apply for a tax deduction card and report a move to Norway. The Tax Administration may also issue a national identity number or D number if the requirements are met.
Labour Inspection Authority: information about rights and obligations in Norwegian working life, health and safety at work, and HSE cards.
SUA states that guidance is given in person, not by telephone or email. Appointments with the police and the Tax Administration must be booked in advance. The information desks and the Labour Inspection Authority can be visited without an appointment where they are available.
An option, not a requirement
Under Section 10-2 fifth paragraph of the Immigration Regulations, an application submitted from Norway is to be submitted electronically to the immigration authorities or by personal attendance at the police in the district where you live. The same provision states that UDI, together with the Labour Inspection Authority, the police and the Tax Administration, issues guidelines on when such an application may also be submitted through a Service Centre for Foreign Workers.
In other words, SUA is an alternative to the local police for those who fall within UDI’s guidelines, and you are not obliged to use it. Check on sua.no or udi.no whether you can use SUA for your type of application before you book an appointment.
Early employment start
UDI states that the service centres in Bergen, Oslo, Stavanger and Trondheim do not issue confirmations of early employment start. Such confirmations are issued by the local police district (udi.no).
Practical tips
Book your appointment well in advance and bring the documents listed in the booking confirmation and in UDI’s checklist for your application type.
Bring your passport. Identity is checked at SUA.
If you are an employer, consider which steps you can prepare before the employee arrives, such as the job offer form and the application in UDI’s application portal.
How we can help
We assist foreign workers, their families and employers with applications for residence permits and residence cards in Norway. At Advokatfirmaet Sterk AS, we can help you work out which documents you need and where to submit your application. Contact us to discuss your situation.
This article provides general information as of 29 October 2026 and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
