Can asylum seekers work in Norway? Yes — but only with a separate temporary work authorization from UDI (the Directorate of Immigration). The application is free, and three clear requirements must be met. Here you get the complete path from authorization to your first lawful salary.

Can asylum seekers work in Norway? The short answer

Yes, asylum seekers can work in Norway — but only with a temporary work authorization from UDI. Without authorization, work is illegal, and it can have consequences for your application for protection.

A temporary work authorization is a separate, time-limited permit to take work while you wait for a decision. The right is established in the Aliens Act § 94. This is not a favor from the authorities — it is a right with clear requirements.

Note one thing: the asylum certificate is not a work authorization. The card is not valid identification either. The proof that you can work is the decision letter from UDI. Give your employer a copy of the letter.

The authorization applies while your asylum case is being processed. If you are unsure where you are in the process, read the guide on the asylum process in Norway step by step.

Three requirements you must meet

The Aliens Act § 94 sets three requirements for temporary work authorization. All three must be met at the same time:

  • Your asylum interview has been completed. An exception is possible when there is a high likelihood that you will be granted a residence permit. As of 23 July 2026, the exception applies to citizens of Yemen and Uyghurs from China.
  • Your identity is documented. You must show a valid passport or national identity card (Aliens Regulation § 17-24). If you gave your passport to the police when you applied for protection, it is sufficient that the passport was valid then.
  • You are not in a Dublin case. If you are to be transferred to another European country, you will not be granted the authorization.

The identity requirement stops most applications. Many asylum seekers do not have a passport, and then they receive a refusal. But the requirements are objective. If your interview is completed, or if you obtain an approved document, you can apply again.

How to apply — and it is free

The application for temporary work authorization is free. This is unusual in the UDI system, where most applications have a fee.

You apply on a paper form. You send the form by mail to your local police district — not to UDI, and not by email. UDI makes the decision, but may have the police do it.

If you are refused, you cannot appeal in the usual way. The standard appeal rules of the Public Administration Act do not apply to these decisions. The right approach is to apply again when the requirements are met — for example after your asylum interview.

How long does the authorization last?

The authorization lasts for up to 6 months at a time. It can be renewed as long as the requirements continue to be met (Aliens Regulation § 17-25).

What happens when your asylum case is decided?

  • If you get yes, the right to work follows with the new residence permit. Then you no longer need the temporary authorization.
  • If you get a refusal from UDI and appeal with suspended enforcement, you keep the authorization while your appeal is being processed.
  • If you get a final refusal from UNE (Immigration Appeals Board), the authorization expires at the departure deadline or when the 6-month period runs out — whichever comes first.

Tax card and d-number: how your salary becomes legitimate

You already have a d-number — it appears on your asylum certificate. The number was created when your asylum application was registered. You therefore do not need to wait for a new identification number.

When you have found a job, you need a tax card. Your employer can request it for you, or you can apply electronically yourself with e-ID. Normally you must first meet for ID verification at a tax office — book an appointment yourself.

Without a tax card, your employer must deduct 50% of your salary. Apply for a tax card as soon as you have a job. Read more about paying tax for the first time in Norway.

Need an overview of the steps? The free checklist Your first week in Norway from SamfunnPrep helps you keep track of documents and agreements.

Can asylum seekers open a bank account?

Yes. The Payment Services Act § 4-1 gives you the right to a payment account with basic functions. The bank must respond within 10 working days after it has received the information it needs.

You need a bank account to have your salary paid out. The bank can only say no for a lawful reason, for example money laundering rules. If you lack standard identification, the guidance from the Financial Supervisory Authority allows the bank to consider other documents that show who you are. The threshold for refusing basic banking services is high.

SamfunnPrep has a separate guide on opening a bank account in Norway.

Are you from Ukraine? You have an easier path

Ukrainians with collective protection do not need a separate work authorization. You have the right to work as soon as the permit is granted. The permit is given for one year at a time.

Remember to apply for a tax card as soon as you get a job — otherwise 50% of your salary will be deducted. Also read about how refugees quickly get into work.

Working without authorization: not worth the risk

Working without authorization is a crime that can be punished and damage your asylum application. The legal path exists, and the application is free — use it.

The biggest risk lies with the employer. Anyone who knowingly or grossly negligently uses labor without necessary authorization can face a fine or imprisonment for up to 2 years (Aliens Act § 108).

For you, undeclared work means you are left without rights such as holiday pay and sick pay. Read more about why undeclared work is a bad idea.

While you wait: volunteer work is allowed

You can do volunteer work without work authorization. Unpaid tasks for humanitarian and nonprofit organizations are allowed for up to 30 hours per week.

Volunteer work gives you Norwegian experience, networks, and references. Feel free to ask at the reception center or at local organizations about tasks. It makes the path to paid work shorter when the day comes that you have the authorization.

The way forward

The answer to "can asylum seekers work in Norway?" is therefore yes — on clear terms, and completely free to apply for. Work is a right you can use, not something you have to ask for in secret.

The next step comes when you have been granted residence: then the civic knowledge exam awaits. You can start practicing for free on SamfunnPrep right now — try for free.