Researcher with own funds

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

Researchers — persons with a master's degree who are to engage in research — carrying out research at a Norwegian university, university college, institute or similar. Researchers who have an employer in Norway must instead apply as skilled workers.

See recorded sources

https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
The term researcher refers to a person with a master's degree who is to engage in research.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
You must carry out research at a Norwegian university, university college, institute or similar.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
Please note! If you are a researcher who has an employer in Norway, you must apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker.

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

No Norwegian employer: a researcher with an employer in Norway must apply as a skilled worker. The stay is financed by pay from a foreign employer, a grant from abroad or Norway, own funds, or a combination; research must be carried out at a Norwegian university, university college, institute or similar.

See recorded sources

https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
Please note! If you are a researcher who has an employer in Norway, you must apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
This money may consist of pay from a foreign employer, a grant from abroad or Norway, own funds that you have in your account, or a combination of the above.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
You must carry out research at a Norwegian university, university college, institute or similar.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

A master's degree and research activity are required, with funding of at least NOK 15 488 per month, or NOK 170 368 per year for the entire academic year; a grant instead of pay must correspond to Lånekassen's basic support for full-time higher education for the academic year 2026/2027.

See recorded sources

https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
The term researcher refers to a person with a master's degree who is to engage in research.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
You must have enough money to live on. This means at least NOK 15 488 per month, or NOK 170 368 per year for the entire academic year.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
You may receive a grant instead of pay. The grant must correspond to the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund's (Lånekassen's) basic support for full-time studies for higher education, i.e. for the academic year 2026/2027, at least NOK 15 488‬ per month

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

The holder may work part-time 20 hours per week, including remote work, in addition to research, and full-time during holidays. The spouse or cohabitant and children can usually apply to come and live with the holder in Norway. The official source does not state whether the holder is tied to the host institution.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Whether the holder is tied to the host institution is not stated.

https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
If you are granted a permit, you will also be granted permission to work part-time 20 hours per week, including remote work, in addition to your research and full-time during holidays.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
Your spouse or cohabitant and children can usually apply to come and live with you in Norway.

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

The period does not count towards a later permanent residence permit. Before this permit expires, the holder may apply for a job-seeker residence permit (maximum one year) to look for skilled work. The official source does not state the permit's own duration or renewal.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The permit's own duration and renewal are not stated on the page.

https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/vocational-training-and-research/researcher-with-own-funds/
The period you have this permit does not count if you later wish to apply for a permanent residence permit.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/job-seekers/a-job-seeker-who-has-recently-graduated-or-is-a-researcher/
You must have a residence permit as a researcher with own funds and apply before this permit expires.
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/work-immigration/job-seekers/a-job-seeker-who-has-recently-graduated-or-is-a-researcher/
You can be granted a residence permit for a maximum of one year.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Researcher with own funds

What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.