Student Jobs in Norway
Students from India and Pakistan may work part-time while they study. Here are the rules and how to find a job.
Work Regulations for International Students
Legal Right to Work
- Part-time only while classes run.
- Full-time in holidays.
- You may not start work until your study permit is granted.
- You cannot work for yourself or run your own business.
Types of Student Work
Study permit
Gives part-time work rights automatically. When you ask to extend your permit, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the office that decides on permits, checks that work is not hurting your studies.
Residence permit as a job seeker
Lets you work full-time or part-time while you look for a job that needs your degree or training.
Special Cases
After your degree, you can get a residence permit as a job seeker for up to 1 year. Apply at least 1 month before your study permit ends. You can work full-time or part-time while you look for a job as a skilled worker (a job that needs your degree or training).
While classes run, you may work only 20 hours a week. One exception: if the work is part of your education plan, you can apply for a permit to work full-time.
Popular Job Opportunities for Students
The work rules depend on your permit, not on the type of job.
Remote Work Opportunities
- Work from home follows the same limit.
- You cannot work for yourself or run your own business.
Internships
An internship can give you Norwegian work experience. If it is not a built-in part of your studies, your study permit may not be enough. Ask the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) first.
Key Points
- Many study programmes have internship agreements with companies.
- Many companies offer summer internships to master's students. They often post them early in the autumn semester (the first half of the study year).
Tax for Working Students
Every worker in Norway needs a Norwegian ID number, a tax deduction card and a Norwegian bank account. The tax office, Skatteetaten, gives you the ID number and the card.
Helpful Tax Resources
Government Resources
The tax office gives you the tax deduction card.
- Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten): Norway's tax office.
How to Find Student Jobs in Norway
Start with your university's career centre and the NAV job website.
NAV is Norway's labour and welfare office. Its job website lists many jobs. Search for the word "English" to find jobs in English.
A job website for university jobs, such as PhD jobs (a PhD is a research degree after a master's).
Career centres
Many universities have career centres, career fairs and job websites with part-time jobs for students.
Effective Job Search Strategies
- Get your Norwegian ID number from the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), the tax office.
- Get a tax deduction card. It tells your boss how much tax to take from your pay.
- Open a Norwegian bank account.
Common Challenges & Solutions
Language
Most job adverts are in Norwegian.
Solution:
Search for jobs written in English, and learn Norwegian while you study.
Keep Studies First
To keep your permit, study full time and pass your courses on time.
Week Planning for Success
Warning Signs
Consider reducing work hours if you experience:
- If you work more than 20 hours a week while classes run, you can lose your study permit.
- If you are more than 1 year behind in your studies, you cannot extend your permit.
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