Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa: Obtaining A Norway Digital Nomad Visa

Svalbard, in Norway’s Arctic, is a fantastic tourism spot with magnificent national parks and distinctive wildlife. Many job seekers have found refuge in the Svalbard digital nomad visa as the pandemic shut down businesses and forced them to hire remote workers.

Many people prefer working from home, even if working from the office is becoming the standard. Many European governments realized that the pandemic’s economic impact necessitates a step-up program to allow foreigners to operate remotely and independently from home, ergo digital nomad visas.

Digital nomads are getting visas in more countries, including Norway. Svalbard is the only Norwegian region offering digital nomad visas.

What is a Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa?

The Svalbard digital nomad visa is a permit that allows a foreigner to live in Norway’s Svalbard territory while working remotely. Despite the fact that Svalbard is famed for its frigid and snowy beauty, this hasn’t deterred expats from wishing to live there and revel in its allure. What makes it even more appealing is that, unlike the other countries, the Svalbard digital nomad visa allows for a lifelong stay because it has no duration.

Who Can Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Svalbard?

Some jobs that are considered a perfect fit for freelancers wishing to obtain the Svalbard digital nomad visa are:

• Programmers.
• Developers.
• Social Media Marketing Representatives.
• Customer Support Representatives.
• Online Language Teachers.
• SEO writers.

Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

The following documents are required for the Svalbard digital nomad visa application:

• Your valid passport. Your passport must be valid for six months.
• Filled digital nomad visa application form. You can find the application form on the UDI Norway website.
• Two passport-size photos. The photos should be recent and must be taken in front of a white background.
• Proof of residence in Svalbard. Submit a document that clearly states where you will be living during your stay in Norway. You will be asked to find a place to live beforehand since housing in Svalbard is limited.
• University Certification. A copy of your educational degrees is required.
• Stable income documents. The document submitted can be a bank statement of your regular income of around €35,000 a year.
• Medical insurance coverage. Your health insurance must be valid in Norway.
• A CV. The CV should state all your academic background as well as your previously held job positions.

How To Apply For Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa?

To obtain a Svalbard digital nomad visa, you should start your application on Norway’s Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website. Here is an overview of the application process:

• Start the application online via the UDI (Norway’s Directorate of Immigration) website – Register on the UDI self-service website to schedule an appointment and apply for your visa. The online application process is quite quick and simple to complete because you will just be requested to collect an application form and pay the fee, in addition to the other papers required.
• Submit the required documents for a digital nomad visa – You can submit the documents required for a Svalbard digital nomad visa either online (as digital copies through the UDI website) or to a Norwegian diplomatic mission (with a postage courier.)
• Enter Svalbard and register as a resident – If you stay in Svalbard for longer than six months, you must register as a resident within eight days of arrival at the Population Register of Svalbard. You will also need to let the tax register know that you will be staying in Svalbard for more than six months.
• You can also apply through the nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, provided you submit the application via a courier. However, applying through the embassy takes longer, and you may be asked to pay additional postage fees.

How Long Until I Get A Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa?

If you apply in Norwegian territory, a digital nomad visa is issued two weeks after applying. If you are applying from a non-EU/EEA country, the application will take around one month to process. The period is extended since verifying your submitted documents will take some time before they can be considered.

How Much Does The Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa Cost?

The application fee for a Svalbard digital nomad visa is roughly €600 (or NOK 6,300). When you pay the visa fee, you will be given a receipt as confirmation of payment. This document must be submitted with your other required application paperwork. The visa fee can only be paid with a debit or credit card and must be done so through the UDI website.

Benefits Of Living In Svalbard

Here are some pros and cons of living in Svalbard to help you make an easier moving decision:

What Country Do I Pay Taxes In As A Digital Nomad?

Taxes must be paid in order to obtain a Svalbard digital nomad visa. Because the Svalbard visa is valid for a lifetime, you must pay Norwegian taxes if you stay in Svalbard for more than 183 days. This is because when you exceed the timeframe specified above, you instantly become a tax resident of Norway and must comply with Norwegian taxation regulations.

Is the Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa the Same as an Independent Contractor Visa?

The digital nomad visa differs from the independent contractor visa. Obtaining an individual contractor visa entails establishing a sole proprietorship. Individual contractor visas are available if you are the sole owner of your own firm and pay your own taxes on business revenues.

In addition, an independent contractor visa requires you to provide additional papers for the application procedure, such as

• Proof that you are qualified in your profession.
• Self-employment contract.
• Accommodation proof.
• Stable income of at least around €35,000 a year.
• Norway residence permit.

The independent contractor visa is also only valid for two years at most, as that is the timeframe a Norwegian residence permit can be issued for.

Difference Between The Tourist Visa And Digital Nomad Visa

The main differences between a tourist visa and a digital nomad visa are:

You cannot work for a local company if you have a tourist visa or a digital nomad visa. If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and want to work for a Norwegian local company, you must get a work visa or EU Blue Card.