Norway's Job Offer Form: Requirements and Procedures for Work Permits

The Job Offer Form (arbeidstilbudsskjema) is a crucial document in the Norwegian immigration process for foreign workers. This standardized form, developed by Norwegian immigration authorities, provides essential information about the employment relationship that is necessary for evaluating residence permit applications. This article explains when this form is required, what information it must contain, and how it should be submitted.

When Is the Job Offer Form Required?

A specific Job Offer Form must be used when applying for residence permits for work in Norway under the Immigration Act Section 23. One of the key requirements for such permits is a concrete job offer, as specified in paragraph (d) of the first section of this provision.

The form is mandatory for applications involving the following categories of workers:

1. Skilled workers (under Immigration Regulations Section 6-1, first or second paragraph)

2. Seasonal workers (Section 6-3)

3. Unskilled Russian workers (Section 6-4)

4. Russian cross-border commuters (Section 6-5)

5. Seafarers (Section 6-6)

6. Workers covered by group permits (Section 6-7)

Purpose and Content of the Job Offer Form

The primary purpose of the Job Offer Form is to ensure that employers provide all necessary information for immigration authorities to properly assess the requirements for a residence permit. The form serves as a standardized way to collect consistent information across all applications.

Key aspects of the Job Offer Form include:

• Comprehensive information: All fields must be completed, or clearly marked as irrelevant if not applicable

• Official format: The form is specifically designed by Norwegian immigration authorities

• Legal significance: The information provided forms the basis for the work permit decision

• Supplementary documentation: Additional employment-related documentation should only be attached when there isn't enough space on the form

If the job offer changes during the application process or during a potential appeal, the employer must submit a new Job Offer Form reflecting these changes.

Submission Requirements and Signatures

The Job Offer Form must be:

• Included with the residence permit application

• Completely filled out

• Signed by both the employer and the employee

Signature Requirements

Both the employer and the employee must sign the Job Offer Form. However, in certain circumstances, exceptions to the signature requirement may be considered:

• For employment relationships covered by the main collective agreement in the state sector

• When other signed documents containing information about the employment relationship exist (such as a signed employment contract)

In such cases, the authorities may waive the requirement for signatures on the Job Offer Form itself.

Employment Contract vs. Job Offer Form

It's important to note that an employment contract between the employer and employee cannot replace the Job Offer Form. While an employment contract may contain similar information, the standardized Job Offer Form is specifically required for the immigration process.

Processing of Applications with Missing or Incomplete Forms

When a foreign service mission or police receives an application for a residence permit, they must ensure that the Job Offer Form is:

• Attached to the application

• Completely filled out

• Signed by both the employer and the employee

If the Job Offer Form is missing or incomplete, authorities may:

1. Contact the employer

2. Set a short deadline for submission of the missing form

3. Reject the application if the form is not provided within the deadline

Use of Authorization (Fullmakt)

Employer Authorization

An employer may be represented by a lawyer or other authorized representative. When authorization is given, the representative can sign the Job Offer Form on behalf of the employer. However, the employer remains responsible to the immigration authorities for the information provided in the form.

Applicant Authorization

An applicant has the right to be represented by a lawyer or other authorized representative at any stage of the application process, according to Section 12 of the Public Administration Act. However, this authorization cannot be used to fulfill:

• The requirement for the applicant's personal appearance (Immigration Regulations Section 10-2, fifth paragraph)

• The requirement for the applicant's signature on the Job Offer Form (Section 6-9)

An applicant can authorize the employer to submit the residence permit application, as specified in Immigration Regulations Section 10-3, first paragraph. In this case, the employer may sign the application or cover letter.

Conclusion

The Job Offer Form is a mandatory and standardized document in the Norwegian immigration process for foreign workers. It provides critical information about the employment relationship that immigration authorities need to properly assess residence permit applications. Both employers and applicants should ensure that the form is completely filled out and properly signed to avoid delays or rejections in the application process.

Employers must be attentive to the accuracy of the information provided, as they remain responsible for this information even if a representative completes the form on their behalf. Similarly, while applicants can authorize representatives for various aspects of the application process, certain requirements—such as personal appearance and signatures on the Job Offer Form—must be fulfilled by the applicants themselves.