Norway has established specialized Service Centers for Foreign Workers (Servicesenter for utenlandske arbeidstakere, or SUA) to streamline the process for foreigners seeking to work in the country. These centers offer guidance and prioritized processing of residence permit applications. This article explains how applications are registered at these centers and what services they provide.
What Are Service Centers for Foreign Workers (SUA)?
The Service Centers for Foreign Workers are a collaborative initiative between the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, the Police Directorate, the Tax Directorate, and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). There are five such centers across Norway, located in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, and Kirkenes.
These centers are designed to provide a more efficient service to both employers and foreign workers by offering:
Expert guidance on immigration procedures
Prioritized processing of applications
Access to multiple relevant government agencies in one location
Who Can Use the SUA Centers?
The SUA centers serve several categories of applicants:
EEA nationals who intend to work in Norway
Third-country nationals (non-EEA citizens) applying for work permits in Norway
Family members of the above groups
Employers of foreign workers
The Kirkenes center additionally serves specific categories of Russian applicants:
Russians from the Barents region seeking unskilled work
Russian cross-border commuters residing in the Barents region
Russian market traders
Types of Applications Processed at SUA Centers
SUA centers handle several types of applications:
First-time applications for residence permits
Renewal applications where the previous residence permit was work-related
Applications for permanent residence permits where the previous residence permit was work-related
For renewal and permanent residence applications to be processed at SUA centers, they must be systematically or manually identifiable in the Online Application Portal and in the Database for Immigration and Refugee Cases (DUF).
How Applications Are Registered in the DUF System
When applications are submitted at SUA centers, they follow a specific registration process in the Database for Immigration and Refugee Cases (DUF). This registration is crucial for identifying SUA cases throughout the application process.
1. Procedure Code Marking
Each SUA application receives a specific procedure code ("SU") that identifies it as a SUA case. This code is available for work, family, EEA, and permanent residence permit applications.
The procedure code is administered in the "Change/Register procedure code" step in the "Change case information" task in the DUF system. The police must select the "SUA-sak" (SUA case) code from the dropdown list.
2. Registration of SUA Center as Application Location
Information about where an application is submitted appears in the DUF system under the "application location" field. Each SUA center has a specific designation that should be used:
"Servicesenteret for Utenlandske Arbeidstakere – Bergen"
"Servicesenteret for Utenlandske Arbeidstakere – Kirkenes"
"Servicesenteret for Utenlandske Arbeidstakere – Oslo"
"Servicesenteret for Utenlandske Arbeidstakere – Stavanger"
"Servicesenteret for Utenlandske Arbeidstakere – Trondheim"
It's important that the correct designation is used, as this ensures proper tracking and processing of the application.
3. Registration Type When Forwarding to UDI
When forwarding applications to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the registration type "Eksp. SUA-sak til UDI" (Expedite SUA case to UDI) must be used. This ensures that the application receives appropriate priority handling at UDI.
Benefits of the SUA Center Application Process
The specialized registration and processing of applications at SUA centers offers several advantages:
Faster processing times due to prioritized handling
Specialized expertise in work-related immigration matters
One-stop service with multiple agencies represented
Consistent handling of applications through standardized procedures
Efficient tracking through the specialized procedure codes and registration
Locations of SUA Centers in Norway
SUA centers are strategically located in Norway's major cities:
Oslo: Serving the capital region, this is the busiest SUA center
Bergen: Serving Western Norway
Stavanger: Serving the Rogaland region, particularly important for the oil and gas industry
Trondheim: Serving Central Norway
Kirkenes: Serving Northern Norway, with a special focus on Russian applicants from the Barents region
Conclusion
The Service Centers for Foreign Workers represent an important initiative in Norway's effort to streamline immigration processes for foreign workers. The specialized registration procedures ensure that applications submitted at these centers receive appropriate priority and consistent handling throughout the application process.
For foreign workers planning to work in Norway, utilizing a SUA center can significantly improve the efficiency of their application process. Employers seeking to hire foreign workers will also benefit from the streamlined services and specialized expertise available at these centers.
It's worth noting that the registration procedures outlined in this article specifically apply to third-country nationals whose applications need to be forwarded to UDI for processing. EEA nationals follow a different registration procedure, which is not covered in this overview.
