Key Points
- Norway increased the minimum salary for skilled worker permits, effective in 2025.
- Master’s degree holders must now earn at least NOK 513,100 annually.
- Bachelor’s degree holders must earn a minimum of NOK 469,366 annually.
- These updates reflect national wage benchmarks and aim to maintain labor market integrity.
Overview
Norway has raised the minimum salary thresholds for skilled worker permits in 2025 to align with updated wage statistics and ensure that foreign workers receive fair compensation in line with Norwegian labor standards. Skilled workers holding a master’s degree must now be offered a minimum annual salary of NOK 513,100 pre-tax, up from NOK 480,900. For those with a bachelor’s degree, the new salary threshold has increased to NOK 469,366 from the previous NOK 448,900.
These salary requirements apply to new skilled worker permit applications and renewals and are part of Norway’s broader efforts to uphold labor market conditions and avoid wage undercutting. Employers sponsoring foreign nationals must ensure that salary offers meet or exceed these thresholds when submitting immigration applications. These updates serve to protect both foreign talent and the local workforce by enforcing competitive wage standards across sectors.
Foreign nationals and employers should comply with the revised benchmarks to avoid application rejections or permit delays. This change highlights the importance of keeping employment offers in line with evolving regulatory standards.
Looking Ahead
Employers should review and update employment contracts to meet the new salary thresholds before initiating new permit applications or renewals. Given Norway’s annual review of wage data, further updates to these thresholds may occur in future years. Employers must monitor official updates and coordinate with immigration counsel to maintain compliance.
