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.
Valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.
At least NOK 45,507 or equivalent.
You may not bring a spouse or children.
Must cover medical care and hospitalisation.
You must be of an eligible nationality.
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:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
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 for all include:
- Completed application form
- Passport (and copy of all used pages)
- Passport-sized photo
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Documentation showing you have somewhere to live in Norway
- Signed commitment to purchase adequate health insurance (Australians to provide medical health certificate instead)
There may be additional requirements based on your exact situation. Consult the checklists listed on this website.
05. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Norway.
Exceptions: Australians may apply for a second year. Canadians may do so as well, but must participate in a different category than in their first year (work experience, studies, temporary secondment, holiday work, tourist).
06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?
- You cannot study for more than three months on your WHV. If you want to study for more than three months, you would need a study permit.
- If you are a Canadian applying for your second year, your activities in Norway must fall under a different category than what you did the last time you were in Norway on a working holiday.
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 an Australian benefitting from the reciprocal health care agreement. Instead, they need to provide a health certificate attesting to good health.” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>reciprocal health care agreement, you must commit to purchasing insurance that covers medical insurance and full hospital treatment for the duration of your stay in Norway.
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. 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.
11. 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.
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. In 2026, the minimum is NOK 45,507 (or the equivalent in another currency). Source.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
You may not bring a spouse or children. All participants must apply individually for their own visa.
It is specified on the official website that as part of your application, you must sign a commitment to take out medical insurance before entering Norway. It should cover medical insurance and full hospital treatment for the duration of your WHV.
Exception: Australias are not required to take out insurance, thanks to a reciprocal health care agreement. Instead, they need to provide a health certificate attesting to good health.
You must be of an eligible nationality. Norway has working holiday agreements with Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.