International students – studying and working in Norway
Here you’ll find information on what you must do when you come to Norway to study and maybe work.
You may have to book an appointment with the Tax Administration to report your move to Norway and receive an identification number. This depends on your citizenship.
Nordic citizens (Denmark, Sweden, Finland or Iceland)
If you’re going to stay in Norway for 6 months or more, you must book an appointment to report a move to Norway. If your report of a move is approved, you’ll receive a national identity number. A national identity number is a Norwegian identification number that will remain the same throughout your life.
If you’re going to stay in Norway for less than 6 months and you’re not going to work, the Tax Administration will not order an identification number for you. In such cases, another enterprise or public agency may order an identification number for you.
When you’re a citizen of a Nordic country, you can work in Norway.
You must have a tax deduction card to pay tax. If you already have a Norwegian identification number, you can apply for a tax deduction card online. If you do not have a Norwegian identification number, you must book an appointment with the Tax Administration to apply for a tax deduction card.
You can find information about the rights you have when you work in Norway on the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority’s website.
EU/EEA citizens
You must register with the police. Book an appointment via UDI. If you’re in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, or Stavanger, you must select Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA) when you select office.
Are you going to stay in Norway for 6 months or more?
You must book an appointment to report a move to Norway if you’re going to stay in Norway for 6 months or more. If your report of a move is approved, you’ll receive a national identity number. A national identity number is a Norwegian identification number that will remain the same throughout your life.
Have you already booked an appointment to register with the police? If you’ve booked an appointment at the Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA) in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim or Stavanger (check your booking confirmation), you do not need to book an appointment with the Tax Administration. You’ll be transferred to the Tax Administration after you’ve had your appointment with the police. You must bring a rental agreement and the completed form RF-1401 Notification of a move to Norway as well as the documents you’re already bringing to your appointment with the police.
If you have not booked an appointment at a SUA centre, you must book an appointment with the Tax Administration.
If you’re going to stay in Norway for less than 6 months and you’re not going to work, the Tax Administration will not order an identification number for you. In such cases, another enterprise or public agency must order an identification number for you.
When you’re a citizen of an EU/EEA country, you can work in Norway.
You must apply for a tax deduction card.
You must have a tax deduction card to pay tax. If you already have a Norwegian identification number, you can apply for a tax deduction card online. If you do not have a Norwegian identification number, you must book an appointment with the Tax Administration to apply for a tax deduction card.
You can find information about the rights you have when you work in Norway on the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority’s website.
Citizens from outside the EU/EEA
You must book an appointment with the police via the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration’s (UDI) application portal to register and get a residence card. You must do this immediately after you arrive in Norway. UDI will let us know when you’ve received a residence permit to study. You do not have to book an appointment with the Tax Administration.
You’ll get a letter
You’ll get a letter from us when we’ve processed your case. If you have a permit to study for over 9 months, you’ll be registered as resident in Norway and you’ll get a national identity number. A national identity number is a Norwegian identification number that will remain the same throughout your life. If you do not have a permit to study for over 9 months, you’ll get more information about what to do in your letter.
When you’re a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you must first check if you can work in Norway.
If you can work in Norway, you must have a tax deduction card to pay tax. If you already have a Norwegian identification number, you can apply for a tax deduction card online. If you do not have a Norwegian identification number, you must book an appointment with the Tax Administration to apply for a tax deduction card.
You can find information about the rights you have when you work in Norway on the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority’s website.