# Ukrainians in work: proposed residence scheme in 2026

The government proposes a route from collective protection to work-based residence. Here are the conditions, uncertainties and next steps.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/nyheter/ukrainere-arbeidsopphold-forslag-2026
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-09-22T08:29:23.961+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-01T11:18:56.991294+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- A proposal, not an open scheme The consultation runs until 30 October 2026; summer 2027 is the planned launch, not a fixed date.
- Three years with the new permit Under the proposal, permanent residence requires three years in the special scheme and fulfilment of the other conditions.
- The date and income threshold need clarification Two income levels are under consultation, and the sources use different wording about decisions dated 17 September 2026.

Ukrainians in work could gain a new route to permanent residence if the government's proposal is adopted. As of 22 September 2026, the scheme is out for consultation. Applications under the proposal are not open. The planned launch is summer 2027.

## What is proposed for Ukrainians in work?

The government wants to establish a special scheme for displaced people who already have temporary collective protection in Norway. Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet sent the proposal for consultation on 17 September 2026.

You would first be able to receive a temporary permit for one year. After three years with a permit under the special scheme, you would be able to apply for permanent residence. Other requirements must also be met. It is therefore misleading to read the news as an offer of immediate permanent residence.

SamfunnPrep explains the difference between permits in its overview of [permanent residence permits](https://samfunnprep.no/en/tema/permanent-oppholdstillatelse). The proposal is described in the [consultation paper, particularly section 6.3 and §§ 5–10 of the draft law](https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/2a6832177cab474aac0b86f74d6fec0b/horingsnotat-om-en-sarordning-pa-grunnlag-av-arbeid.pdf).

## Who could be covered?

The target group is people with valid collective protection who meet requirements concerning work, previous income and conduct. Conduct here means matters relating to criminal offences. The scheme is not limited to Ukrainian citizens: other people with the relevant collective protection could also be covered.

The proposal uses 17 September 2026 as the cut-off date. However, the sources differ in a way that needs clarification: the press release says protection must have been granted on this day or earlier. §§ 1 and 5 of the draft law say before this day. If your decision is dated exactly 17 September, we therefore cannot yet give a definite answer. Your arrival date alone does not settle the question either.

## What requirements are proposed?

The income threshold has not been chosen. The ministry is inviting comments on two alternatives. The table shows the proposal using the National Insurance basic amount applicable from 1 May 2026.

| Topic | Proposal as of 22 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Your own employment income | At least 2.8 G or 3 G over the last 12 months: 382 337 or 409 647 kroner before tax |
| Work | You must be in an employment relationship when the decision is made |
| Family | A higher income requirement and separate conditions for accompanying family members |
| Duration | One year at a time, with checks at renewal |
| Permanent residence | Three years under the special scheme and fulfilment of the other requirements |

No separate requirement for vocational qualifications or full-time employment is proposed. However, income must demonstrate sufficient attachment to working life. The new permit would replace collective protection. This is an important choice. Under the proposal, if renewal is later refused, you cannot fall back on collective protection.

## What are the next steps?

No one receives the new permit simply because the consultation ends. The proposal requires legislative changes and consideration by Stortinget.

1. Consultation until 30 October 2026: anyone can submit comments.
2. The ministry considers the comments and the final legislative approach.
3. A bill must be considered by Stortinget.
4. Adopted rules must enter into force, and Utlendingsdirektoratet (UDI) must have the application system ready.
5. Only then can an application be assessed against the final conditions.

Summer 2027 is a plan, not a fixed opening date. The consultation deadline is not a residence application deadline either.

## What does this mean for you now?

Keep track of your current decisions, pay and employment. You do not need to change permits because the proposal has been presented. The government has also announced that collective protection will not be discontinued in 2027.

Time with collective protection will not automatically be converted into the three years under the special scheme. On SamfunnPrep, you can read about [how residence periods are calculated](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/botid-permanent-oppholdstillatelse-norge) and [Norwegian language requirements for permanent residence](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/norskkravet-permanent-oppholdstillatelse). These requirements must be kept separate from the conditions for entering the proposed scheme.

## FAQ

### Can I apply under the new scheme now?

No. As of 22 September 2026, this is a proposal out for consultation, with a planned launch in summer 2027. The final rules and application system must first be put in place.

### Does having a job give me permanent residence immediately?

No. The proposal initially concerns a one-year temporary permit. After three years under the special scheme, permanent residence may become an option if the other conditions are also met.

### Does the proposal cover only Ukrainian citizens?

No. The consultation paper says that people with other citizenships may also be covered if they have the relevant collective protection and meet the conditions.

### Are people with decisions dated 17 September 2026 covered?

This needs clarification. The press release includes this date, while the draft law says before 17 September. The arrival date alone is not sufficient.

## Sources

- [Regjeringen foreslår at ukrainere som jobber i Norge kan få oppholdstillatelse](https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/regjeringen-foreslar-at-ukrainere-som-jobber-i-norge-kan-fa-oppholdstillatelse/id3172993/)
- [Høringsnotat om en særordning på grunnlag av arbeid](https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/2a6832177cab474aac0b86f74d6fec0b/horingsnotat-om-en-sarordning-pa-grunnlag-av-arbeid.pdf)
- [Høring: forslag til særordning for fordrevne med kollektiv beskyttelse](https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dokumenter/horing-forslag-til-en-sarordning-om-overgang-til-annen-oppholdsstatus-pa-grunnlag-av-arbeid-for-fordrevne-fra-ukraina-med-midlertidig-kollektiv-beskyttelse/id3172986/)
- [Kollektiv beskyttelse avvikles ikke i 2027](https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/ordningen-med-midlertidig-kollektiv-beskyttelse-for-fordrevne-fra-ukraina-avvikles-ikke-i-2027/id3173049/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Ukrainians in work: proposed residence scheme in 2026", SamfunnPrep, 2026-09-22T08:29:23.961+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/nyheter/ukrainere-arbeidsopphold-forslag-2026