Researchers who will carry out research in Norway without being employed by a Norwegian employer may be granted a residence permit as a researcher with own funds under Section 6-20 of the Immigration Regulations. This article gives an overview of the main rules as of the review date above.
Who is the permit for?
Section 6-20 applies to researchers who will stay at a university, institute or similar institution for research purposes, where the stay is financed with their own funds. UDI describes a researcher as a person with a master’s degree who is to engage in research.
Typical situations include researchers who:
come to a Norwegian institution under an agreement while remaining employed and paid by an employer abroad
spend a sabbatical doing research in Norway
are financed by a grant from abroad or from Norway, or by their own savings
Other permit types for researchers
Researchers employed in Norway: If you have a Norwegian employer, UDI states that you must apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker (Section 6-1 of the Immigration Regulations), not under Section 6-20.
Students and doctoral candidates: Persons admitted to full-time studies may apply for a student permit under Section 6-19. Whether a doctoral position is employment or study depends on the arrangement; check the relevant UDI page or seek advice.
Main requirements
According to the Regulations and UDI’s information page, the applicant must:
carry out research at a Norwegian university, university college, institute or similar institution, normally documented by an invitation or agreement and a description of the research
have sufficient funds to live on for the period (salary from a foreign employer, a grant, own funds or a combination – see Section 10-7 of the Immigration Regulations). UDI sets the current minimum amount, which is linked to the basic support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen). Check the current amount on udi.no.
have somewhere to live
show that circumstances in the home country make it likely that they can return when the stay ends
pay the application fee
What the permit allows
Work alongside the research
A residence permit under Sections 6-19 to 6-31 does not in itself give a right to work, unless this follows from the permit (Section 6-33 first paragraph). For researchers with own funds, the starting point is Section 6-33 third paragraph of the Immigration Regulations: a foreign national granted a permit under Section 6-20 may be granted permission to work part-time and during holidays, and UDI may issue further guidelines. The Regulations do not set a number of hours and do not give an automatic right to work.
UDI states that a researcher who is granted this permit will also be granted permission to work part-time 20 hours per week, including remote work, in addition to the research, and full-time during holidays (udi.no, read 29 October 2026). This is UDI’s current practice and may change. The scope that applies to you is the one stated in your own decision – check it before you start any work. Work beyond what the permit allows may be a criminal offence (Section 108 second paragraph of the Immigration Act, cf. Section 55).
Family members
UDI states that a spouse or cohabitant and children can usually apply to live with the researcher in Norway. If they apply at the same time, the applications are normally decided together.
Permanent residence
The permit does not form a basis for a permanent residence permit (Section 6-20 second paragraph).
Looking for work afterwards
A researcher who qualifies as a skilled worker and holds a permit under Section 6-20 at the time of application may apply for a permit for up to one year in total to look for work as a skilled worker (Section 6-29).
Duration and renewal
Under Section 10-16 of the Immigration Regulations, permits under chapter 6 other than skilled worker and student permits may be granted for up to two years, in line with UDI guidelines. A permit is not granted for longer than the period applied for or the length of the assignment. A permit may be renewed if the conditions are still met (Section 61 of the Immigration Act); apply in good time before the permit expires.
How to apply
The main rule is that a first-time permit must be granted before entry. Applications from abroad are submitted through the Norwegian foreign service mission in the country of citizenship or where the applicant has held a residence permit for the last six months (Section 10-2 of the Immigration Regulations).
UDI may make exceptions for applicants under Sections 6-19 to 6-31, including researchers with own funds (Section 10-1 second paragraph). It is a condition for applying from Norway that the applicant is lawfully resident and is not staying in Norway in connection with an asylum application or while awaiting departure after an asylum refusal (Section 10-1 third paragraph).
Applications are normally submitted through UDI’s online application portal, followed by an appointment with the police or service centre where identity and documents are checked. Follow the document checklist on udi.no for your citizenship.
If the application is refused
A refusal may be appealed. The appeal deadline is three weeks from the date the decision was received (Section 29 of the Public Administration Act). The appeal is submitted to the authority that made the decision (Section 32), and the decision letter explains how and where to submit it. If UDI upholds its decision, the case is sent to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE).
Revocation
A temporary or permanent residence permit may be revoked if the foreign national has knowingly given incorrect information or withheld information of significant importance for the decision, or where this otherwise follows from general administrative law (Section 63 of the Immigration Act). Before a decision is made, the person concerned will normally receive advance notice and a deadline to comment (Section 16 of the Public Administration Act).
How we can help
We advise researchers, universities and research institutions on residence permits. 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.
