Norway guide 路 verified 2026-07-04
Working While Studying in Norway, and Staying After
Working & staying on
Students can work part-time to offset the high cost of living, and Norway's real draw at the back end is a genuine 12-month job-seeker permit that opens into skilled-worker routes, though it demands a materially higher funds cushion than the study permit did.
Work while studying
MandatoryUp to 20 hours/week during term; full-time in official holidays
This is a condition attached to the study permit itself, not a separate work authorisation, breaching the cap risks the permit.
Post-study job-seeker permit
ConditionalUp to 12 months, non-renewable
Optional pathway for graduates who want to stay and search for a qualifying job rather than leaving or already having an offer in hand. Must have completed the degree in Norway and apply before the study permit expires (at least a month before, per UDI's guidance). Time on this permit does not count toward permanent residence.
Job-seeker permit funds requirement
MandatoryNOK 28,448/month or NOK 341,373/year (roughly double the study-permit rate)
PhD graduates face a reduced requirement (around NOK 85,344) regardless of the permit's length, reflecting the shorter runway PhD graduates typically need. Confirm the current figure on UDI's page before advising, since it is revised periodically.
Route to skilled work
Skilled-worker residence permit on a qualifying job offer
Once employment matching the applicant's qualifications is secured (during study, on the job-seeker permit, or otherwise), the standard UDI skilled-worker route applies.
Work part-time within the 20-hour cap
MandatoryTypical roles: campus/library assistant jobs, retail, hospitality, or research-assistant positions tied to the department. Track hours carefully against the weekly cap during term; full-time work is allowed only during the institution's official holiday periods.
Apply for the job-seeker permit before the study permit lapses
ConditionalAs soon as the degree is confirmed complete, apply for the job-seeker residence permit, at least one month before the study permit expires, per UDI's own timing guidance. Show the higher funds requirement (NOK 28,448/month) via a Norwegian bank account or other acceptable evidence.
When: Immediately after graduating; apply at least 1 month before the study permit expiresConvert to a skilled-worker permit on a qualifying offer
OptionalOnce a job offer matching the graduate's qualifications and Norway's skilled-worker criteria is in hand, whether found while still studying, during the job-seeker period, or later, apply for the standard skilled-worker residence permit, which puts the graduate on a path toward permanent residence.
Sources
- Want to apply: Study permit (studietillatelse), Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
- Want to apply: Job seekers (post-study residence permit), Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
- Working in Norway after completing a degree, Study in Norway (HK-dir / Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research)
Where this fits
This is one step of the full Norway journey: admission, tests, application, visa, money, arrival and stay-back, every figure cited to an official source.
More on Norway
Bramica is independent and takes no commission from any university, recruiter or agency. This page is information, not immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; confirm the current requirement on the official source before acting on it.