Norway to terminate the au pair scheme for third-country nationals from March 15

• Norway will terminate the au pair scheme for third-country nationals from March 15 this year.


• Applications registered after March 15 will not be accepted.

Norway has decided to terminate the au pair scheme for third-country nationals starting March 15 this year. Through a statement, Norway’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security confirmed the termination of the Norwegian au pair scheme that permits young people from other countries to live with a host family in this country for a specific period in order to learn about Norwegian culture and language while helping with childcare and light household obligations.

The decision means that applications registered after March 15 will not be accepted. Au pairs who already have residence in Norway or who have registered an electronic application online or booked an appointment to submit a complete application for a residence permit no later than March 15 are eligible to obtain a residence permit in the country as an au pair for up to two years from the initial permit being granted.

According to the Ministry, the current measures to protect au pairs from abuse will continue as long as there are internationals with valid au pair permits in the country.

The Ministry has stated that it is important for them that the au pairs who are still left in Norway should have as good protection against abuse and exploitation as before until their stay is over.