The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has made significant adjustments to the normal salary levels to reflect wage growth in Norway.

To be granted a residence permit to work in Norway, one’s salary and working conditions must be in line with what is normal in Norway. The annual adjustments made in the past have not kept pace with wage growth. Therefore, UDI has made significant adjustments to the salary requirements.

How much must one earn?

• If one will be working in a sector covered by a collective agreement, one must be paid the collective wage rate.
• If one will be working in a sector without a collective agreement, one’s salary must not be lower than what is considered normal for the occupation where one will be working. From 1 September 2025, the following amounts will apply:
  • If the position requires a master’s degree, one must be paid at least NOK 599 200 per year before tax.
  • If the position requires a bachelor’s degree, one must be paid at least NOK 522 600 per year before tax.

UDI may accept a lower salary if one can document that this is normal for the occupation in the place where one will be working. However, it takes substantial evidence to provide documentation for this. The applicant must receive at least this level of salary from 1 September 2025, even if the job offer states a lower amount.

UDI have used salary levels from the main collective agreement between the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) and the employee organisations as a basis for determining the new salary requirements.