Work-based residence for Ukrainians remains a proposal as of 22 September 2026. The consultation opened on 17 September and runs until 30 October. Anyone can submit comments. The rules have not been adopted, and you cannot apply under the scheme yet.

Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet proposes a new route from collective protection to residence through work. The permit could later form a basis for permanent residence. SamfunnPrep provides background information about permanent residence permits.

Work-based residence for Ukrainians: who can join the consultation?

You can submit a consultation response yourself, even if you do not represent an organisation. Use the form on the government's consultation page⁠.

A consultation response is input on the rules. It is not an application for residence. For example, you can explain how the proposed conditions would affect your family.

As of 22 September, we found no published responses on the consultation page or in the open sources checked. The list of consultation bodies shows who has been invited. It does not show who has responded or supports the proposal.

What have the parties said so far?

The first reactions highlight different considerations. They do not establish a majority for the final bill.

According to NTB in Aftenposten on 17 September⁠, Sosialistisk Venstreparti's Anne Lise Fredlund wants a scheme covering more nationalities affected by war. Høyre's Tage Pettersen stresses predictability and wants equivalent requirements for other nationalities.

Rødt's Hanne Beate Stenvaag points out that those with the greatest protection needs have not necessarily found work. Fremskrittspartiet's Erlend Wiborg expresses general scepticism but is waiting to examine the proposal itself before giving a specific assessment.

Which questions remain open?

Several important choices remain unresolved. The points below are SamfunnPrep's review of the documents, not a summary of submitted consultation responses.

  • Income: The ministry is considering 2.8 G or 3 G. G is the National Insurance basic amount.
  • Family: The requirement would follow the applicable maintenance requirement, currently 3.2 G. Stortinget has requested an increase to 4 G. See the background on the maintenance requirement for family immigration.
  • Date: The press release includes people granted protection on 17 September. The draft law says before 17 September. This difference needs clarification.
  • Legal safeguards: Electronic applications and automated decisions are proposed. Initial decisions would have no ordinary appeal rights, but there would be a right to manual review of automated decisions. Appeal rights would be retained for renewal and revocation.

How could the proposal become rules?

Consultation is an early part of the process, not a final decision. The proposal includes a temporary law and must therefore go through the legislative process.

  1. Consultation: Comments can be sent to the ministry by 30 October 2026.
  2. Assessment: The ministry will review the responses and may change the proposal.
  3. Bill: If the government proceeds, it must submit a bill to Stortinget.
  4. Parliamentary consideration: A specialist committee will prepare the case. Debate and consideration with votes in Stortinget then follow.
  5. Adopted rules: A final legislative decision is followed by sanction, meaning formal approval. The commencement date and any necessary regulations must be established.
  6. Practical opening: Utlendingsdirektoratet (UDI) must prepare the application system. The government plans a launch in summer 2027.

This explains the path ahead if the proposal is implemented. It is not an adopted parliamentary timetable. The consultation deadline is not a deadline for residence applications either.

What does this mean for you now?

You must continue to follow the permit you currently hold. The proposal creates no new right of residence unless and until the rules are adopted and enter into force.

The planned scheme would not grant immediate permanent residence either. Read about qualifying residence periods for permanent residence to understand why the type of permit matters.