Moving to Norway 2026: Americans, Nurses, Dogs
Moving to Norway from the United States means applying for a residence permit before you go, because Americans can only visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180. Nurses and other health workers also need Norwegian authorisation, which for training outside the EU/EEA is a long process. And dogs need a tapeworm treatment shortly before they arrive. This guide sets out the requirements, as published by Norway's New in Norway portal, its embassies, the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), and read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
US citizens need a residence permit to work in Norway or stay longer than 90 days, registered and paid for online, with documents and biometrics handed in at a Norwegian mission or its visa centre. Nurses educated outside the EU/EEA need authorisation: NOK 1 665, about 23 months, and Norwegian at B2. Dogs need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an anti-echinococcus treatment given 24 – 120 hours before entering Norway.
Moving to Norway as an American
- Visiting: US citizens are on the Schengen list of nationalities that need no visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Living and working: a residence permit is necessary for most types of work and for stays over 90 days in a period of 180 days.
- Timing: as a general rule, a residence permit should be issued before you enter Norway.
- Where to apply from the US: register the application and pay the fee online in the Application Portal Norway, then hand in your passport and documents at a VFS application centre or a Norwegian diplomatic or consular mission.
Routes for Americans
| Route | Who it fits |
|---|---|
| Skilled worker | People who have completed higher or vocational education, normally with a job offer or their own company |
| Seasonal worker | A job that can only be done at a specific time of year, or a holiday substitute, with the job secured before applying |
| Other permits | Studies, family immigration and au pair stays, among others, each with its own UDI requirements |
The work routes are set out in our Norway work visa guide.
Moving to Norway as a nurse
Health personnel who want to practise in Norway must be registered and hold a licence or authorisation from the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
- Fee: NOK 1 665 for applicants educated outside the EU/EEA, and NOK 1 665 for those educated in the United Kingdom.
- Processing: 23 months for education outside the EU/EEA, and 3 months for education in the EU/EEA or the United Kingdom.
- Additional requirements outside the EU/EEA: Norwegian at CEFR level B2, a course in Norwegian health services, health legislation and society, a course in the safe handling of medicine, and a proficiency test for nurses.
- Deadline: three years from when your education is considered equal, with three attempts at each course and test. You pay the costs yourself.
The Directorate recommends starting Norwegian training before applying, as three years may be a short time to reach B2 from scratch.
Moving to Norway with a dog
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority sets the rules for dogs, cats and ferrets from countries outside the EU and EEA.
| Requirement | What Mattilsynet says |
|---|---|
| Identification | A microchip or clearly readable tattoo. The microchip must meet ISO 11784 using HDX or FDX-B technology, readable with an ISO 11785 reader. |
| Rabies vaccination | Given after the animal is identified. Validity starts not less than 21 days after a primary vaccination, with no waiting period for a revaccination within validity. |
| Rabies antibody test | Not required for animals from third countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013. Check whether your country of departure is listed. |
| Tapeworm treatment | Required for dogs, including puppies, with praziquantel or an equivalent, 24 – 120 hours before entering Norway, certified by a veterinarian. Cats and ferrets do not need it. |
| Documents | An identification document, as a rule the health certificate |
| Number of pets | No more than five on a non-commercial movement, travelling up to five days before or after the owner |
Mattilsynet advises contacting it before travelling to check whether any safeguard measures apply to your country of departure.
Requirements checklist
- A residence permit matching your purpose, issued before entry as a general rule.
- Biometrics, which are mandatory when applying for a residence permit.
- For health professions, Directorate of Health authorisation.
- For pets, the microchip, rabies and, for dogs, tapeworm treatment rules above.
For a budget, see our cost of moving to Norway, and for the first weeks, first steps after moving to Norway.
Frequently asked questions
Can a US citizen move to Norway?
Yes, with a residence permit, for example as a skilled worker with a job offer. US citizens can visit for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa.
What are the requirements to move to Norway?
A residence permit for your purpose, applied for online and completed in person with biometrics, plus any professional authorisation your job needs.
Can I move to Norway as a nurse?
Yes, with authorisation from the Norwegian Directorate of Health. For education outside the EU/EEA, the fee is NOK 1 665, processing takes 23 months, and Norwegian at B2 plus two courses and a proficiency test are required.
Can I bring my dog to Norway?
Yes. The dog needs a compliant microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, a health certificate and an anti-echinococcus treatment 24 – 120 hours before entering Norway.
Do cats need a tapeworm treatment for Norway?
No. Mattilsynet requires the treatment for dogs only.
How many pets can I bring to Norway?
No more than five dogs, cats or ferrets on a non-commercial movement.
Do I need a residence permit before entering Norway?
As a general rule, yes. The Immigration Regulations say a residence permit should be issued before entry.
Official sources
- Norway in the United States — Residence permit
- New in Norway — Residence permit in Norway
- Norwegian Directorate of Health — Fees and processing times
- Norwegian Directorate of Health — Additional requirements
- Norwegian Food Safety Authority — Pets from third countries
- Schengen visa-free nationalities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia)
All requirements, fees and time frames verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.