A student residence permit does not confer the right to take employment in Norway. However, students may apply for part-time work permit and/or a permit to work during vacations when employment would not interfere with their study progress. Full-time employment for a restricted period of time may also be applied for.
A student may work part-time for up to 20 hours per week when a work permit is granted. An application for a work permit should be accompanied by a statement from the institution confirming that the work will not affect the study progress. A letter from the employer stating that the student has a job offer must also be submitted.
Students are normally allowed to work full time during semester breaks.
Please note that the majority of institutions do not have on-campus work-study schemes, and foreign students will have to compete on the regular job market.
Applications for a work permit may be submitted to the local police station. Please see the website of the Norwegian police to locate the nearest police station.
Building a Career
Studying in Norway is a good way of gaining a foothold in the job market – especially in Norway and in the Nordic region.
In addition to working in a safe and attractive job market with low unemployment and a progressive and modern working environment, you also gain access to a number of benefits, including parental leave, sickness benefits, employment protection, as well as high salaries.
Norwegians pride themselves on having an innovative workplace; we believe that flat organizations, a competent workforce, and egalitarian values stimulate innovation.
The business sector is competitive and ranks among the best on the World Competitiveness Scoreboard. It is easy to do business in Norway; the country is among the top 10 of 180 countries on the Ease of Doing Business ranking.
Main Industries
Norway has abundant hydropower, world-leading industries, high productivity, and a strong economy. Today, Norway is a modern country geared towards technology, innovation and the urge to further develop a knowledge-based society. The country also relies on the oil & gas industry, fisheries, and traditional industrial sectors. There is a highly developed system of industrial clusters with close cooperation between the industry and research. Top-class research, groundbreaking innovations, and nearness to the ocean contribute to world-class marine, maritime and subsea industries.
Business Culture
Compared to many other nations, the Norwegian labor market is characterized by informality, both in terms of conversation and dress code.
As a student, you will experience having a friendly relationship with your professor, and this carries over into the workplace, where you may well have lunch with your boss.
To be on time, respectful and polite and follow the dress codes for different occupations are the most important codes in the business culture.
In Norway we have relatively short formal working days: 7.5 hours per day and 37.5 hours per week is the norm. Norwegians work hard when they are at work. We rely on being able to work flexible hours and work from home from time to time. However, evenings and weekends are mostly reserved for friends and family: friend, or free time, is important to Norwegians.
The Norwegian labor market offers good opportunities for social mobility. An increasing number of women take on management positions, and there are policies in place that encourage and facilitate gender balance. It is, for instance, not controversial to work in the private sector and take parental leave.
Innovation, Start-Ups, and Technology
In Norway, you can do business in one of the world’s most innovative and digitalized countries. We have a relatively new, but vibrant start-up community, including numerous technology start-ups. The government invests in innovation to boost the business and industry sector. Innovation Norway is the Norwegian Government’s most important instrument for innovation and development in Norwegian businesses and industry, supporting companies in developing their competitive advantage and enhancing innovation. Promising start-ups with growth ambitions and an innovative business concept that represents something new and significant in the market have good chances of getting funding
Norway is a pioneer in renewable energy and environmental technology. The nation has set ambitious goals for more sustainable energy use. Renewable energy and clean technology in general, as well as medical and biotechnology represent interesting emerging industries.
Axiom offers professional guidance to Bangladeshi students who intend to study in New Norway. We’ll be with you on each step from the initial general consultations to arriving in the country.
Completing a university degree is considered to be an expensive endeavor and tuition fees are usually making up the bulk part of the cost.
Most Norwegian institutions have various bilateral agreements with foreign institutions of higher education. These agreements are usually designed for the mutual exchange of students, researchers, and teachers.
