All about the working holiday in Norway!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least NOK41,370 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Must cover medical care and hospitalisation
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the working holiday in Norway:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
Check your eligibility here.
03. What is the application fee?
The fee for a residence permit (which covers the working holiday) is NOK6,300.
04. What documents are required for the application?
Standard items include:
- Completed application form
- Passport (including a copy of all used pages)
- Passport-sized photo of yourself
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Documentation which shows that you have somewhere to live in Norway
Exact requirements vary based on citizenship.
05. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Norway.
Exception: Australian and Canadian citizens can stay for up to two years.
06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?
07. Can I bring my spouse and/or children?
No, your family members cannot apply for a family immigration permit to come and live with you in Norway. Your spouse can apply for their own WHV, if eligible. (Source)
08. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Unless you are Australian, you must submit proof of insurance that covers medical insurance and full hospital treatment for the duration of your stay.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They’ve accompanied thousands of working holiday makers in their adventures.
09. Are there any work restrictions?
You cannot work for more than six months for the same employer. (Source)
10. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Norway and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
11. Where can I apply?
You can apply online at the official website using the following steps:
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1. Select your citizenship from the dropdown provided.
2. Click on “Work Immigration.”
3. Click on “Exchange programmes, culture and organisational work.”
4. Open the “Working holiday” dropdown and click “How to apply.” Follow the instructions for your citizenship from there.
As mentioned earlier, most citizenships applying for a working holiday in Norway must have health insurance for the duration of their stay. Even if you are exempt from this rule, you should consider purchasing insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation to avoid expensive, out-of-pocket medical costs.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- What to know about travel insurance for your working holiday abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Norway’s currency is the krone (NOK). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a NOK debit card in hand before even arriving in Norway, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your NOK account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Norway. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Norway. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Norway.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Norway before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing abroad: a way to meet friendly locals and save money
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Norway, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on your Norwegian. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.
All applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive, i.e. until the day before their 31st birthday).
Exception: Canadian citizens can be up to 35 years old.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.
You must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover your initial living expenses in Norway. The minimum is NOK41,370 (or the equivalent in another currency).
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Norway on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
Exception: Australians and Canadians are permitted to apply for a renewal.
As part of the application process, you must prove you have comprehensive health insurance that covers medical insurance and full hospital treatment for the duration of your WHV.
Exception: Australians do not need to prove they have separate health insurance and instead must provide a health certificate.
Apply before the annual quota is reached—if you are an Argentinian citizen, the quota is limited to 300 residence permits per year. All other eligible nationalities have no specified quota.