Foreign nationals from outside the EU/EEA who wish to establish and run their own business in Norway must, as a rule, obtain a residence permit as a self-employed person. The legal basis is Section 25 of the Immigration Act (utlendingsloven) and Section 6-18 of the Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), supplemented by guidance from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). This article outlines the requirements, the application procedure and the conditions for renewal as they apply in October 2026.
Legal Basis and Scope
Under Section 6-18 of the Immigration Regulations, a self-employed person who will run a permanent business has a right to a residence permit if it is necessary for the establishment or continued operation of the business that the person stays in Norway and takes an active part in running it. The following conditions must be met:
the work to be carried out in the business requires the self-employed person to have skilled worker qualifications;
there is a documented financial basis for the business; and
the business has any permits required under other legislation.
The rules distinguish between employees and self-employed persons. An employee is assessed under Section 23 of the Immigration Act and Section 6-1 of the Regulations, which require, among other things, a concrete job offer. A self-employed person is assessed under Section 25 of the Act and Section 6-18 of the Regulations. Which set of rules applies to a person who will work in a company that they own themselves should be clarified with UDI before the application is submitted.
Qualification Requirements
The applicant must have skilled worker qualifications as defined in Section 6-1 of the Regulations. This means:
completed vocational training at upper secondary level with a duration of at least three years;
a degree from a university or university college; or
special qualifications, normally acquired through long and relevant work experience.
Where the profession requires authorisation or approval in Norway, such as many health professions or electrical work, this must be in place if the work requires it.
There must be a clear connection between the applicant's qualifications and the work to be done in the business. For example, a person who will run a plumbing business alone will normally need to be a qualified plumber. If the applicant will mainly manage the business and employ others to carry out the specialist work, qualifications in business administration or a similar field may be relevant.
A Permanent Business and an Active Role
The business must be intended to operate on a permanent basis, and obviously short-term activities do not qualify. Section 6-18 does not set a minimum period of operation, but UDI may issue further guidelines.
The applicant must have a central, independent and leading role in the business and must work in it to an extent that corresponds to full-time work. The permit is tied to the specific business, and the applicant may not take other work. Under Section 6-18, permission to work as an employee alongside the business may be granted where special reasons apply, for example where a physician in private practice must take part in a municipal emergency rota. A general wish to supplement income is not a special reason.
Financial Requirements
Under Section 6-18, the financial basis is documented if it is likely that the self-employed person will obtain sufficient income from the business to meet the subsistence requirement in Section 10-7. According to UDI, the business must be expected to give the applicant a profit of at least NOK 341,373 per year.
The following points apply:
the income from the business must make up the main part of the subsistence requirement (Section 10-7);
funds from public grant schemes, such as grants from Innovation Norway or a county authority, may be included in the assessment of the financial basis; and
benefits under the Social Services Act do not count as subsistence.
Documentation and Application Procedure
Under Section 6-18, the applicant must submit:
documentation of qualifications and of the applicant's role in the business;
an accurate description of the nature of the business;
financing and budget plans;
accounts, if available; and
an advance statement that necessary permits from other authorities will be granted.
In addition, UDI's checklist requires a passport, the application form and other documents. Documents in languages other than Norwegian or English must be translated by a qualified translator.
The application is normally submitted electronically through UDI's application portal, and the first permit should, as a rule, be granted before entry into Norway. Applicants who are lawfully resident in Norway may in some cases apply from Norway, but not while their stay relates to an application for protection. The decision is made by UDI.
Duration, Renewal and Permanent Residence
The permit is granted for one year at a time and is tied to the specific business, which is stated in the decision. It can be renewed if the conditions are still met, and the subsistence requirement and the financial basis are assessed again at each renewal. If a renewal application is submitted no later than one month before the permit expires, the applicant may continue to stay and work on the same conditions until the application has been decided.
Under Section 6-18, the permit forms a basis for permanent residence. A permanent residence permit may be granted after three years, provided the other conditions in Section 62 of the Immigration Act are met. Family members may apply for family immigration with the self-employed person as reference person, subject to the ordinary conditions.
Self-Employed Persons with a Business Abroad
A separate permit exists for self-employed persons with a business established abroad who will carry out assignments for a client in Norway. According to UDI, this permit may be granted for up to two years at a time, for a maximum of six years, and it does not form a basis for permanent residence. The conditions differ from those for self-employed persons establishing a business in Norway.
Conclusion
A residence permit as a self-employed person in Norway requires skilled worker qualifications that are needed for the work in the business, a permanent business in which the applicant plays the leading role, and a financial basis that is likely to give a profit of at least the amount set by UDI. The permit is tied to the specific business, is granted for one year at a time, and forms a basis for permanent residence. A thorough business plan, realistic budgets and complete documentation of qualifications are central to the application.
