Kingdom of Norway · work sponsored
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT Permit)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence permit for managers, specialists, and trainees transferred from a foreign branch to a Norwegian entity of the same corporate group.
- Processing time
- 1–3 months.
- Government fees
- NOK 6,300.
- Typical duration
- Up to 3 years for managers/specialists; 1 year for trainees.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The ICT (Intra-Corporate Transfer) permit allows multinational companies to transfer managers, specialists, and trainees from a foreign office to a Norwegian entity within the same corporate group. The transfer must be temporary (up to 3 years for managers and specialists; 1 year for trainees). The worker must have been employed by the sending entity for at least 3–12 months before the transfer (depending on the category). The ICT permit does not lead to permanent residence — time on an ICT permit does not count toward the 3-year PR requirement. This permit is based on Norway's implementation of the EU ICT Directive (as an EEA member).
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The sending and receiving entities must be part of the same corporate group (parent, subsidiary, or branch).
- ✓The worker must be a manager, specialist, or trainee (not a general employee).
- ✓The worker must have been employed by the sending entity for at least 3 months (specialists and managers) or 3–12 months (trainees) before the transfer.
- ✓Salary and conditions meeting Norwegian standards for the role.
Common blockers
- !Sending and receiving entities not part of the same corporate group.
- !Worker is a general employee, not a manager, specialist, or trainee.
- !Insufficient prior employment with the sending entity.
Typical evidence
- ·Transfer letter from the sending entity.
- ·Evidence of corporate-group relationship.
- ·Employment contract with the Norwegian entity or assignment agreement.
- ·Evidence of prior employment with the sending entity.
Application pathway
Employer prepares the transfer
The Norwegian entity and the sending entity prepare the transfer documentation, including corporate-group evidence and assignment details.
Apply for ICT permit
Submit the ICT application through UDI.
Transfer to Norway
After approval, transfer to the Norwegian entity. The ICT permit is temporary — plan for either returning to the sending entity or transitioning to a skilled-worker permit if you want to stay in Norway long-term.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse UDI ICT guidance ↗
Use UDI guidance to prepare the corporate transfer evidence before applying.
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration · verified
- Official portalApplicantOpen UDI Application Portal ↗
Submit the online application and book the required appointment after confirming the ICT route.
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Does the ICT permit lead to permanent residence?+
No. Time on an ICT permit does not count toward the 3-year continuous-residence requirement for permanent residence. If you want to settle in Norway permanently, you need to transition to a standard skilled-worker permit (which does count toward PR) before your ICT permit expires.
Can I switch from an ICT permit to a skilled-worker permit?+
Yes. If the Norwegian entity offers you a permanent position (not a temporary transfer), you can apply for a change of status to a skilled-worker permit. The skilled-worker permit's 3-year PR clock starts from the date the skilled-worker permit is granted, not from your original ICT arrival date.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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