Work Permits for UK Nationals on Data Centre Projects in Norway

Due to their technical skillset and extensive experience, UK nationals are frequently recruited for management, engineering and operational roles on the growing number of data centre projects across Norway.

Since Brexit, UK nationals are considered third-country nationals under Norwegian immigration law. As a result, any operational or technical work physically performed in Norway will normally require a valid work permit, regardless of assignment length.

Work permits are issued by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), and the permit duration typically corresponds to the length of the assignment offered.

What is considered regulated work on data centre projects?

Work on data centre projects is classified as regulated work and usually requires a work permit. This typically includes, but is not limited to:

• Electrical and mechanical installation
• Engineering, commissioning and testing
• Technical verification and quality control
• Site supervision and operational management
• Project and construction management

Even senior or supervisory roles are generally considered operational if they are carried out on-site in Norway.

Short-term assignments – common misconceptions

There is a widespread assumption that stays in Norway below three months automatically exempt non-EU nationals from work permit requirements. This is incorrect.

Norway does not have a general short-stay exemption for operational work. Even short-term assignments may require a work permit if the work performed is technical, operational or part of a construction or data centre project.

Each assignment must therefore be assessed individually based on the nature of the work – not only the duration of stay.

How to obtain a valid work permit in Norway

For UK nationals working on data centre projects, the Skilled Worker permit is the standard immigration solution.

Key requirements include:

• The employee must hold:
  • vocational education, or
  • a relevant university degree, or
  • extensive and well-documented work experience supported by detailed reference letters
• The position offered in Norway must match the employee’s qualifications and experience
• Employment must be offered by:
  • a Norwegian legal entity, or
  • a foreign company with a valid assignment for a Norwegian end client
• Salary and working conditions must meet minimum standards set by Norwegian authorities

Advance planning is essential, as incomplete documentation is a common cause of processing delays.

Site inspections and compliance checks

Norwegian authorities actively conduct inspections at large construction and data centre sites. Immigration compliance is often reviewed alongside:

• tax and payroll reporting
• health, safety and environment (HSE) compliance
• employment and subcontractor arrangements

Work permit violations are typically discovered during these coordinated inspections.

Risks of non-compliance with work permit rules

Failure to obtain correct work permits can lead to serious consequences, including:

• administrative fines
• immediate workforce shortages due to stop-work orders
• project delays, which can be particularly costly on time-critical data centre projects
• negative impact on future work permit applications for both employees and employers

In practice, immigration issues often cascade into contractual, financial and reputational problems.

Planning is key for UK nationals in Norway

UK nationals working on data centre projects in Norway are subject to standard third-country immigration rules. In most cases, a Skilled Worker permit is required, and early planning is critical to project success.

ECOVIS operates as a one-stop shop for foreign companies active in construction and data centre projects in Norway. We have extensive experience assisting UK nationals with immigration planning and obtaining valid work permits, ensuring projects remain compliant and on schedule.

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