Located in the heart of Scandinavia there is a country which is surrounded by mountains, fjords, and glaciers. A country where northern lights dance in the sky and it is the home of Vikings.
Norway! The land of the midnight sun!
In Norway everywhere you go the scenery and landscape will blow your mind. You might experience sunlight 24/7 during the summer and during winter it truly becomes a winter wonderland. The enriched past goes way back to the vikings era, folklore and traditions. On the other hand they embraced modernity while celebrating their culture.
The country is one of the major economies in the world and one of the wealthiest nations. The quality of life, low crime rate and living standard is exceptionally higher than many other developing countries.
Now picture that you are exploring norway everyday and at the same time you are doing your work remotely from your computer.
That sounds tempting isn’t it? Now you can do it. You can get a digital nomad visa. This visa will allow you to live and work in Norway for up to two years with a chance of renewing it.
What Is The Norway Digital Nomad Visa
Norway digital nomad visa which allows any non-EU members to live and work in Norway remotely. It’s a great opportunity for freelancers to live here legally and work using computers. This visa will grant the nomad to stay there for 2 years with an option to renew it for another two years. Norway has two types of digital nomad visa programs. One is known as the Norway Independent Contractor Visa and another one is the Svalbard digital nomad visa.
Firstly let’s talk about the Norway Independent Contractor Visa. This visa program is slightly different from other digital nomad visas. The tricky part, in order to get this visa you need to have at least one Norwegian client. The main aim of this program is to attract global entrepreneurs around the world. After covid-19 lots of remote workers are looking to live in different countries. This visa will give them a chance to relocate to Norway and work remotely. You will get the visa for two years, after that you can renew it for another two years.
The Svalbard digital nomad visa is completely different, it will allow you to live and work here remotely. The best part is, you can live here as long as you want, there is no duration. However, Svalbard’s extreme weather may not entice nomads to stay there, so the government designed the program which might encourage people to live there. Svalbard is visa free and it is not part of the Schengen area but in order to get there you need to travel to Norway.
We will break down and discuss both types of visa programs in detail.
Benefits Of Norway Digital Nomad Visa
There are several benefits of living in Norway. This country might be expensive but citizens and residents enjoy a higher standard of living. In fact in 2017 Norway was regarded as the happiest country.
- Easier application process- the application process is easy and the application is also quite affordable. Which is 600 euros.
- Higher salary range- the average salary range is one of the highest salaries in the world. The average salary in Norway is almost 637,800 NOK per year.
- Amazing healthcare- do you know that Norway ranked 12th in 2022 in World Index of Healthcare Innovation. So it’s better to have health insurance to ensure a healthier stay.
- High standard of living- Norway provides its citizens high standards of living. It was voted as the happiest country in the world in 2017.
- English is widely used- Norwegians are good at English. Which is one of the main reasons why citizens from the UK, USA, Australia like to work here.
- Longer duration- as a Norway Independent Contractor Visa you will get a visa for 2 years then you can renew it for another two years. The Svalbard digital nomad visa is for lifelong duration. You can live as long as you want.
- Permanent residency- most nomads want to relocate to a different country in order to upgrade their life. you need seven years of continuous residence in Norway. Also you can stay for a lifetime in Svalbard.
- Fast internet speed- Norway has one of the fastest internet connections in Europe.
Norway Digital Nomad Visa eligibility
In order to apply for a Norway digital nomad visa firstly you need to know if you are eligible or not. There are few conditions which need to be met.
- You need to be a non-EU citizen.
- You need to have at least one Norwegian client.
- Minimum annual income has to be €35,719.
- You need to have a university degree.
If you are planning to apply for a Svalbard digital nomad visa then you should know that it’s a good visa program for freelancers like Programmers, Developers, Social Media Marketing Representatives, Online Language Teachers, SEO writers and other jobs like this. You don’t need any Norwegian clients for this visa program.
Norway Digital Nomad Visa Documents Requirements
You need to prepare many documents before applying. We will give you an overview about how many papers you need to submit.
- Valid passport with all the other passport pages copy.
- Application form.
- Two passport size photos.
- Proof of employment that you have business established abroad.
- You need to provide your educational certificates as well.
- Bank statements (annual income has to be at least €35,719)
- Health insurance.
- Proof of accommodation.
- A cv which will describe your professional background.
- Your proof of work- you need to showcase that you are self-employed with a contract to work with Norwegian clients.
- Application fee.
Norway Digital Nomad Visa Application process and time
Norway digital nomad visa application process is quick if your documents are ready.
- Gather all the documents- you need to submit quite a few documents. All the required documents are mentioned above. Make sure all the papers are translated either in English or Norwegian.
- Print the UDI checklist- The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the central agency in the Norwegian immigration administration. You need to fill the checklist, print it then sign it. You need to bring this to your visa interview.
- Submit your application- you need to schedule an appointment to your designated Norwegian embassy. Take all the necessary papers with you and submit your documents. You have to pay your application fee at this stage which is only 600 euros.
- Wait for your approval- now you wait for your approval. Usually they will call you to let you know about the visa approval. Although it depends on where you are applying from. Usually It can take around a month or more.
Difference Between Norway Independent Contractor Visa And Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa
For digital nomads there are two types of visa programs which are offered by the Norwegian government. One is the Norway Independent Contractor Visa and another one is Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa. These two are 2 different programs, they have many differences.
First of all, an independent contractor visa is an application for the entire country. You can pretty much anywhere you want in Norway. Whereas the Svalbard nomad visa is only applicable for Svalbard. You can not live anywhere else.
Secondly for the independent contractor visa you need to have at least one client from norway but it’s not applicable for the latter.
Thirdly, the svalbard visa does not have any specific duration as you can stay as long as you want. An independent contractor visa has 2 years of validity.
Drawback Of Norway Digital Nomad Visa
Norway is an excellent choice for remote workers to live but there are some drawbacks which need to be considered.
Firstly, Norway is quite an expensive place to live and Svalbard is one of the most expensive places in the world. Reasons? Because everything there is imported. So naturally living costs are very high. There are many other countries which are much more affordable for any remote workers.
Norwegian citizens pay high taxes which is approximately 22%, so if you are planning to stay more than 183 days you will have to pay tax. Also digital nomads also have to pay 25% VAT to all the goods and services in Norway.
This country is located in the northern parts of Europe and it is surrounded by glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Winter here is extremely harsh and Svalbard is even colder than any other region. During winter you might experience three months of darkness which might not be a good experience for everyone. If you don’t like the cold then Norway is not an ideal location for you to settle.
Frequently Asked Question- FAQ
Can my family accompany me with my Norway Digital Nomad visa?
Yes you can bring your spouse and children. However children over 18 will not be considered.
Can My Family Members Work In Norway?
No they can’t work, your spouse needs to obtain a work permit.
How Much Is The Norway Digital Nomad Visa Application Fee?
The application fee is only 600 euros.
Do I Need To Pay Tax If I live In Norway As A Digital Nomad?
If you intend to stay longer than 183 days then you will be counted as a tax paying resident and you will have to pay 22% tax annually.
Is The Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa The Same As An Independent Contractor Visa?
No, both are differ visa programs. An independent contractor visa is an application for the entire country. You can pretty much anywhere you want in Norway. Whereas the Svalbard nomad visa is only applicable for Svalbard. You are not allowed to live in any other regions of Norway.
How Long Does It Take To Process Norway Digital Nomad Visa?
It can take around a month or more for your application to process.
How Can I Renew My Norway Digital Nomad Visa?
You can renew it while living in Norway from the local police station. It will be valid for another 2 years.