KI 3503 Non-EU/EEA citizens: residence permit
(oppdatert )
1. Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
→ Before arrivalBefore you can start working at UiB, you must apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker. This involves completing an online application through UDI's Want to Apply portal, and submitting your documents at a Norwegian embassy, consulate, or visa application centre. In most cases, you must apply from your home country. However, you may also apply from another country if you are a citizen of that country, or have held a residence permit there within the last six months.
If you can enter Norway visa free, you are allowed to travel here without a residence permit. You are not allowed to start working, however, until your residence permit has been granted.
Once your application is approved
You will receive a decision letter from UDI, along with a visa if you need one to enter Norway. Send a copy of the full decision letter to your local HR contact right away, as UiB needs it to confirm your right to work and issue your employment contract.
Once you know your arrival date, you can start checking for available appointments at the SUA office, booked through UDI's webpage. See Part 2 below for more on this appointment.
Once you have booked your appointment at SUA, you may be able to start working immediately, even before the appointment itself takes place. Check UDI's website for up to date information on whether this applies to you.
Bringing family?
We recommend that family members apply at the same time as you, since applications submitted together are normally processed together. All applicants, including minors, will need to attend an ID control with the police at SUA, in the same way you do.
Already in Norway?
In some cases, it is possible to apply for a residence permit while you are already in Norway. Processing times are the same either way, and you cannot start working until your permit is granted. If you apply this way, choose "Bergen" as your municipality, and "Vest police district, Bergen immigration office" as the location for handing in your application.
Exceptional circumstances
In some cases, your employer may be able to apply on your behalf. If you think this applies to you, contact euraxess@uib.no
2. Police
→ Upon arrivalOnce your application is approved, you can book an appointment with the police at SUA. This appointment must take place within your first 8 days in Norway.
At this appointment, the following will be completed
• Finalising your residence permit
• Ordering your residence card
• Issuing your Norwegian ID number
What to bring
• Your passport.
• A property purchase or rental contract valid for at least six months. If your rental contract is older than three months, bring confirmation from the owner that it is still valid. If you have changed address since applying for your residence permit, let the police know at this appointment, so that your correct address is registered.
• Your UiB employment contract, if you are already working for UiB. If it is older than three months, bring confirmation from your faculty that it is still valid.
• All original documents from your residence permit application. It is not common to be asked for these, but bring them in case the police carry out a random check.
Bringing family?
Each family member needs their own appointment with the police, including minors.
Afterwards, your Norwegian ID number and residence card will be sent to you by post, usually within two to three weeks. You will receive two separate letters: one from the police with your residence card, and one from the Tax Administration with your Norwegian ID number. Make sure your name is clearly written on your mailbox, as otherwise your card and letter may not be delivered.
3. Electronic ID (MinID or BankID)
→ After arrival, once you have your ID numberMost public services in Norway are accessed digitally, including the next step below. Once you have your Norwegian ID number, you will need an electronic ID (eID) to register as an electronic user with the Tax Administration and apply for your tax card.
MinID
Issued directly by the government, MinID is usually the first eID people set up, since it does not require a Norwegian bank account. To register with the Tax Administration in Part 4 below, you will need to order an activation letter from Skatteetaten and follow the instructions it contains.
Apply for MinID at minid.no
BankID
BankID typically becomes available once you have opened a Norwegian bank account, and is more widely accepted across banking and public services than MinID. Unlike MinID, it is not requested online through a central government portal: you will need to ask for it directly at your bank once you are a customer there.
You can start with MinID and add BankID later once you have opened a bank account. You do not need to choose just one.
4. Norwegian Tax Administration
→ After arrival, once you have your electronic ID (eID)Once your MinID account is active, log in to the Tax Administration's online services and apply for your tax card. You will need your employment contract to complete this. This step is entirely online, and there is no in person appointment for it.
Important information about your tax card
If your tax card has not been issued and registered in our payroll system by the time you receive your first salary payment, Norwegian law requires UiB to deduct 50% tax from that payment as a default rate. Salaries are paid on the 12th of each month, for that same month.
This is not something UiB is able to prevent on your behalf: the university cannot hold back or delay your salary payment while your tax card is being processed, so if your ID number and tax card are not in place in time, the 50% deduction will apply automatically. This is a common situation among new international employees, so please do not be alarmed if it happens to you.
Once your correct tax card is registered, your deduction rate will be corrected for future payments. Regarding any tax you overpaid during the months you were taxed at 50%, how this is refunded or corrected depends on which tax scheme you are on. For more detail on this, see our webpage on tax.
5. UiB's Service Centre for Salary, Travel and Absence
Send your ID number to the Service Centre for Salary, Travel and Absence as soon as you receive it, even if you have not yet applied for your tax card. Your tax card is digital, and will be retrieved automatically by the payroll system once it has been issued, so there is nothing further you need to submit.
Contact the Service Centre for Salary, Travel and Absence