Can any Automotive Professional work in Norway?

Not quite. If you are from a country who is a member of The European Union (EU), you have the same rights as a Norwegian because:

Norway is closely linked with the EU through membership in the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), which brings together all the 27 EU Member States and three of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein in a Single Market. Norway is furthermore a member of the Schengen Area, which gives its citizens the right to travel passport-free within the Schengen Area.

The EEA agreement covers the four freedoms, i.e. the free movement of goods, services, persons and capital, as well as competition and state aid rules, but also the following horizontal policies: consumer protection, company law, energy, environment, social policy and statistics. The EEA Agreement guarantees equal rights and obligations within the Single Market for citizens and economic operators in the EEA.

In addition, the EEA Agreement provides for cooperation in several flanking policies such as research and technological development, education, training and youth, employment, tourism, culture, public health, civil protection, enterprise, entrepreneurship, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Like all members of the Single Market, Norway contributes financially towards social and economic cohesion in Europe.

How does it work for Automotive Professionals from countries outside the EU or EEA?

If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA and wish to work in Norway, you need a residence permit. If you do not already have a residence permit, you must apply for a residence permit for work. Previously this was called a work permit. This may for example be a residence permit for skilled workers.

To apply for a residence permit for work in Norway, the authorities require that you fulfil these visa requirements for Norway

• 3-year full-time relevant education program
• The program must be connected to the profession you wish to work with (Mechanic and Technician, Panel Beater/Denter, Car Painter, etc).

Furthermore, the documentation must include:

• Proof of school diploma for each year, with clear start and finish date
• Clear subject list
• Grades
• Hours used

In addition, they wish to see the written proof of apprenticeship time. It is possible to have one school diploma with a supplement, containing the detailed information of the implemented program.

Can WiiSDA help everyone?

Our whole business is based on track-record and trust. Our reputation is always at stake. If WiiSDA overpromises and underdelivers, we lose trust with customers and employees. Therefore, we always tell the truth and do what is right. 

WiiSDA often get contacted by candidates who don’t qualify for a residence permit for work, but who ask us to still help. Unfortunately, we can’t help everyone to an automotive career in Norway, we need to comply with the rules set by the Norwegian Work Immigration Authorities.

For more than 15 years, WiiSDA has focused on creating life changing opportunities and match automotive professionals with their perfect job in Norway.

As the only recruitment agency in Norway that specialises in Automotive jobs, WiiSDA offer both our candidates and our customers unparalleled,  premium service.

What is Premium Service?

WiiSDA invests a lot of time and money to ensure a smooth and successful move, we:

• Take care of all your paperwork from your work and residence permit, and tax registration
• Cover Occupational Injury Insurance
• Cover Leisure Accident Insurance
• Help you find suitable accommodation and cover your deposit (normally 3 months’ rent)
• Outlay your 1st month’s rent. You only pay back when receiving your first Norwegian salary
• Offer a free Norwegian course, and pay 50% if the 2nd Norwegian course
• Meet you at the airport on your arrival, regardless of where and when you arrive
• Spend up to 2 working days together with you, sorting out all practicalities on your arrival

This means WiiSDA invests a lot of time and money in all their employees.

But for mechanics and technicians who dream of a new life in Norway, a move also has a cost for them.

How to move to Norway?

Moving to Norway means a big change for you. It also means taking a risk, because:

• You resign from your current job
• Relocations come with a financial cost such as travel and visa (Non-EU citizens only)
• You need to adapt to a new culture
• Learning new ways of working in an authorized service is challenging

WiiSDA doesn’t want people to waste their time and money if we believe they are unlikely to succeed, regardless of the reason; insufficient education, work experience, or even personal or cultural suitability for work abroad in Norway.

During our recruitment process, we explain to all candidates the importance of honesty, that there is no point saying that you are skilled in something that you are not, as it will become very apparent as soon as you start job in Norway and you can consequently end up losing the job. This is because the authorised service has hired someone with different skills than they were promised and expected.

We want you to succeed, because that helps the Service succeed, and ultimately – WiiSDA succeed, we all rely on each other.

WiiSDA create life changing opportunities and match you with your perfect automotive job in Norway, whether you are a

• Mechanic
• Technician
• Car Painter or
• Panel beater

Learn more about WiiSDA and how we find work that drives your life, as well as read here for a full requirements overview.