Foreign-registered ships in international traffic

Some seafarers on foreign-registered ships do not need a residence permit to work in Norway. You must belong to one of the following groups:

  • Seafarers working on board a foreign-registered cruise ship.
  • Seafarers working on board a foreign-registered ship that is registered in a ship register in an EEA country.
  • Seafarers working on board a foreign-registered ship that is to carry goods or passengers in Norway for up to three months.
    • If the ship is to carry goods or passenger in Norway for a continuous period of more than three months, you must apply for a residence permit for seafarers on board foreign ships sailing between Norwegian ports. The period is deemed to be continuous even if the ship has been on two short journeys or assignments to other countries for up to a total of ten days.