Resources for employers in Norway
Resources for employers in Norway
We use “refugees” as a term encompassing forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers and other persons in need of international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
Why hire refugees and stateless people in Norway?
Refugee inclusion into Norwegian society is facilitated through comprehensive efforts and a whole-of-society approach. Local municipalities play a key role by providing an integration programLink is external with language classes, civics training, and on-the-job training. In addition, there is a focus on helping refugees access work directlyLink is external after settling in a municipality or through a fast trackLink is external, where suitable. Overall, there are many available subsidies and grantsLink is external to stimulate the employment of refugees, and the government awards a special Diversity AwardLink is external to outstanding examples of successful integration of refugees in the workplace.
Read the guidelines on recruiting refugeesLink is external by the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV)
Many Norwegian companies see the employment of refugees as a societal duty but they also recognize the value that refugees bring to the workplace. According to researchLink is external, Norwegian employers value the fact that many refugees have a robust work capacity, and demonstrate flexibility and a strong work ethic. In addition, research by the TENT Partnership for refugees has shown that consumers are 50% more likelyLink is external to buy from brands which employ refugees, and hiring refugees in service positions helps to appealLink is external to an increasingly multi-ethnic clientele.
A good example
FiskumLink is external is a plate and welding workshop started in 1959 which employs 25 workers for the production of steel structures for construction projects. In 2022, the company hired a Ukrainian refugee with previous experience in construction sites and welding and has been an advocate for the employment of refugees. The company also employs individuals from other countries like Poland, and offers a multilingual environment where diversity is a valued asset. The company has organized evening classes in Norwegian for employees, and has benefitted from available training measures and grants in partnership with Modum municipality. Read more about the company’s story hereLink is external.
A good example
IKEA’s commitment to refugee employment in Norway.
Read experiences and testimonies here:
A New Beginning in OsloLink is external
Annonsørinnhold: OpptrappingenLink is external
How many refugees and stateless people are there in Norway?
According to 2024 data, there are 107,057 refugees in Norway, as well as 4,789 asylum-seekers and 1,887 stateless persons. The top 3 countries of origin are Ukraine (70,410), Syria (15,873), and Eritrea (7,311). Many refugees, especially those from Ukraine, are well-educated. For example, among UkrainiansLink is external, 59% have a Master’s degree, a further 16% have a Bachelor’s degree, and 15% have vocational-technical education. Only 1% of the respondents reported having only primary and basic secondary education. As of mid-2024, there were approximately 1,887 recorded stateless people and people of undetermined nationality in Norway.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
How many of them are working?
The most recent official analysis of employment ratesLink is external of refugees in Norway was in 2021, and revealed an employment rate of 56% for recognized refugees, with refugees from Myanmar and Sri Lanka having the highest rate (73%-74%), followed by groups from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Chile (69%-70%), while refugees from Syria and Somalia had lower employment rates on average (40% and 43% respectively). The duration of residence in Norway was a principal factor, with groups who have been in the country longer attaining higher levels of employment. Among temporary protection holders from Ukraine, it is estimatedLink is external that around 19% are employed in Norway as of September 2023.
Read more in the report by the Nordic Council of Ministers “Scandinavian Integration Policies for RefugeesLink is external”
What are the main challenges?
Refugees and stateless people experience several challenges when it comes to access to employment, for exampleLink is external: 1) lack of knowledge of Norwegian or English which result in refugees and stateless people ending up in occupations with low language requirements; 2) lack of professional skills or higher education; 3) lack of professional network and experience for navigating the labor market in Norway; 4) a mismatch between the professional skills and experience of the candidate and the available jobs; 5) physical or mental health issues; and 6) childcare responsibilities, which disproportionately affect women.
See the report “Barriers to employment for vulnerable groups in the Nordic countriesLink is external”
Did you know?
Norway is hosting not only refugees who have applied to asylum in the country but also the so-called “quota refugeesLink is external” who are resettled from other countries of asylum. Through resettlement, Norway has for many years offered a vital opportunity to the most vulnerable refugees with the intermediation of UNHCR. In 2024, the Norwegian government has decided to offer resettlement places to 1000 refugeesLink is external.
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? |
| Asylum-seekers | Individuals who have applied for international protection but still have not received a decision on their application. | Asylum seekers must apply for a temporary work permit in order to be able to work in Norway. More information can be found hereLink is external. They are allowed to do non-remunerated voluntary work without a permit. |
| Refugee status (asylum) | Individuals who have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. | Refugees have the right to work in Norway. |
| Subsidiary protection | Individuals who do not qualify for a refugee status but who are unable to return to their home country because it would mean they face capital punishment, torture or inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. | Subsidiary protection holders have the right to work in Norway. |
| Residence permit on humanitarian grounds | Individuals who do not qualify for a refugee or subsidiary status but who have strong humanitarian reasons, including being an unaccompanied minor, being a victim of human trafficking or having compelling health circumstances, or a special connection to Norway | Holders of a residence permit on humanitarian grounds have the right to work in Norway. |
| Temporary protection | Residents of Ukraine and their family members who were forced to leave their country due to the current war. | Beneficiaries of temporary collective protection have the right to work in Norway.
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| Stateless person | A stateless person is someone who is not considered as a citizen by any country (whether recognized as such or not) | Stateless persons who obtain a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, which gives them the right to work.
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For more information on the legal framework, see the page of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)Link is external
Bear in mind
Refugees who want to work must have a tax card. The refugee can apply himself, or the employer can applyLink is external for a tax card on behalf of a foreign employee.
How do I connect with refugee and stateless talent?
Employers who are interested in recruiting refugees and stateless people can get in touch with the Norwegian Labor and Welfare AdministrationLink is external (NAV) and publish vacancies on the official job board at ArbeidsplassenLink is external free of charge. In addition, employers can partner with municipalities in order to offer on-the-job trainingLink is external as part of the Introduction Program, which frequently transition into permanent employment. In fact, the most frequent wayLink is external of finding a job among Ukrainian refugees is via language or work practice during the introduction program (26%). In addition, 23% of jobseekers found employment through the local municipality, and 14% through NAV. Employers can also get in touch with NGOs working with refugees and asylum seekers in order to receive referrals, such as the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers.Link is external
What can I do to support refugee and stateless employees?
Based on research with Nordic employersLink is external, some of the recommendations they give for the successful hiring of refugees include: 1) Addressing language barriers: Supporting employees who are still learning the language, offering language training on the job, and engaging interpreters or mediators (eg colleagues with the same mother tongue); 2) Nurturing a culture of diversity: Training managers and employees in intercultural communication and helping refugees understand the local culture and work ethic; 3) Fostering professional growth: Encouraging refugees with little experience to continually develop their skills, while also encouraging those refugees who are overqualified for their job to seek more advanced roles in the company; 4) Collaborating with intermediary organizations: Engaging with NGOs, staffing companies and governmental agencies which provide integration services and which can assist with administrative procedures or services like healthcare and childcare support.
Did you know?
Refugees frequently have previous education and professional qualifications, which may need validation in Norway. The Directorate for Higher Education and SkillsLink is external is the entity which approves education certificates, including an automated option for selected degrees. For employers who need a quick assessment of foreign educational documents for the purposes of recruitment or salary determination, there is a “turbo assessmentLink is external” service available. For professions regulated by lawLink is external, a different form of approval is required, depending on the profession.
Useful resources
Grants
The Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV) offers an inclusion grantLink is external which reimburses employers for costs like training programs; a Norwegian language training grantLink is external and a mentor grantLink is external. In addition, the Directorate for Inclusion and Diversity provides a grant for ethnic diversityLink is external for initiatives for recruitment and awareness raising.
Wage subsidies
Employers can also benefit from several wage subsidy programs, such as the temporary wage subsidyLink is external, which can cover between 40 and 30% of an employee’s salary for a period of up to 1 year; or the summer job subsidyLink is external for temporary jobs to young people under 29 which covers 50% of payroll costs for up to 4 weeks and the costs for a mentor.
Job matching platform
The organization “Recruit RefugeesLink is external” offers a platform where employers can submit their vacancies and review refugee jobseeker profiles. The website offers permanent jobs, as well as internships and mini-jobs. The same organization runs a Training centerLink is external with language and job readiness courses online.
A report by the TENT partnership for refugees on “How Hiring Refugees Helps Brands: Europe (2023)”
A report by the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) “Reception, settlement and integration of Ukrainian refugees in Norway” 2022-2023