After-Brexit Briefing: Norway Business Travel and Trade

We continue our journey across Europe exploring the post-Brexit response and travel impacts within specific EU countries. Today’s focus is on Norway.

We sat down with Mikkel Wismann, Operations Director – Nordics, to discuss the state of business travel in Norway and the challenges that employers are experiencing in this post-Brexit travel landscape.

Q: What are the current post-Brexit challenges you are seeing out of our Oslo office?

Mikkel: We are seeing business travel volumes increasing, along with many questions about business travellers going from Norway to the UK. Employers are utilising our Post-Brexit Travel Assessment tool to determine the appropriate travel documentation required to enter the UK compliantly. After answering a series of questions – including the specific activities the traveller will be performing – the user is provided with an assessment of what is required to travel to the UK. The feedback we have received from clients is that the platform helps them check the box for duty of care for their travellers.

Take the Assessment

Q: What are the current business travel requirements and timelines for a UK citizen to enter Norway?

Mikkel: As of 23 August, UK citizens who have been fully vaccinated and can provide a certificate connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate gateway are exempt from entry restrictions and can enter Norway. All travellers will be required to register online or by paper prior to entry, and present proof of this registration on arrival.

Entry is suspended for all unvaccinated foreign nationals except for permanent residents, spouses or registered partners of Norwegian residents, minor children of Norwegian residents, EEA nationals residing in an EEA country or the UK, diplomats, journalists, crew members, cross-border commuters arriving from Finland and Sweden, transport workers, travellers in transit and travellers with urgent reasons for travel.

To stay up-to-date on the latest entry restrictions to enter Norway, UK, and other countries, check out CIBTvisas’ award-winning Entry Guide.

Q: If work authorisation is required for a UK national travelling to Norway, what is the most common Intra-Company Transfer route? What does that process look like?

Mikkel: The most common Intra-Company Transfer route in Norway is the Residence Permit for Seconded Employees. Generally speaking, the process is as follows:

1. Assemble Personal and Corporate Documents.
2. Work and Residence Permit Online Application – using the Norwegian E-Service. An appointment to file the paper application documents is completed during this step.
3. Residence Permit Application – original documents are filed with a Service Centre for Foreign Workers in Norway. Other filing options are available, but processing times may be longer.
4. Entry into Norway.
5. Residence Card Application – completed within seven (7) days of arrival. In-person application filed at the police district or service centre in Norway including submission of biometric data (photograph, signature, and fingerprints).
6. Residence Card Issuance – usually sent by post to the applicant’s address in Norway.

Overall processing times are 4-7 weeks until the applicant can begin work activities and 5-9 weeks until the entire immigration process is completed.

Q: In July, the UK Government confirmed that they would be implementing the next stage of post-Brexit trade regulations beginning 1 October 2021. This means companies importing animal products into the UK will require Export Health Certificates (EHC) and various additional consignment paperwork. What can exporters do to navigate the required documents post-Brexit?

Trading post-Brexit is definitely complex. Fortunately, information and guidance for how to approach the next stage of post-Brexit trade regulations are available. It’s not easy to cut through all the noise - understanding what is specifically required for the product(s) that you are exporting can be confusing.

Having a trusted, reliable source of information that is able to advise you will be imperative to ensure business continuity in these coming months. Understanding how your product is categorised in the UK is critical, as one or more documents will have to be applied for in the exporting country prior to the export of the product and original copies accompany the product.

You will need to follow the varying new procedures if the products you export fall into the following categories:

• High risk food or feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO)
• Animal by-products (ABP)
• Live animals (including equines from Norway)
• Germinal products (semen, ova and embryos)
• Food and drink that are products of animal origin (POAO)
• Composite products from the EU and Northern Ireland/li>
• Live animals, including equines and animal products from non-EU countries

The timelines for these changes are currently published as:

• 1 October 2021: Pre-registration with local authorities in exporter’s market
• 1 January 2022: Checks at border control authority in the UK

We are able to assist. We can advise and procure all required documents on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to contact us and book a consultation with one of our experts.

For more information about the latest Nordics travel rules watch our webinar that took place last week. With the complex, fast-changing nature of Brexit and its considerable impact on employers, it is critical to have a trusted advisor by your side.

CIBTvisas stands ready to support you and your travel programme. Contact your dedicated CIBTvisas Account Manager today for more information. Don’t have an Account Manager? Contact us.

This publication is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are reminded that immigration laws are subject to change. We are not responsible for any loss arising from reliance on this publication. Please contact CIBTvisas or Newland Chase should you require any additional clarification or case specific advice.

CIBTvisas is part of CIBT, the leading global provider of immigration and visa services for corporations and individuals with expert immigration and visa professionals, attorneys and qualified migration consultants located in over 70 offices in 25 countries.

With thirty years of experience, CIBT is the primary service provider to 75% of Fortune 500 companies. CIBT offers a comprehensive suite of services under two primary brands: Newland Chase, a wholly owned subsidiary focused on global immigration strategy and advisory services for corporations worldwide and CIBTvisas, the market leader for business and other travel visa services for corporate and individual clients.