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WORKING GUEST PROGRAM
Probably many of you have never been to Norway! Please note that this is a country much different from most of the other European countries, and one of the goals of this program is that you get the opportunity to get to know the Norwegians, less known to the world, but no less interesting, likeable and happy to open their homes to you. Enjoy some months a Norwegian host family, living somewhere in this beautiful country of only 4,5 million inhabitants, of vikings and trolls, of high mountains and long fjords, of the midnight sun and pure nature! Every year, about 400 young people from all over the world take part in this programme. Since it was started in the late 60's, the Working programme has welcomed more than 13.000 young foreigners to Norway!
Working Guest – Farming
In order to apply for this program the applicant should:
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age
- speak English
- be motivated to live with a Norwegian family and adapt into their way of life
- have agricultural experience
- be prepared to help with various tasks proposed by the employer
- work maximum 35 hours a week
- will have 1 1/2 day off
- stay from 2-3 months
Your host family:
- is an ordinary family, with or without children, running a farm full- or part-time
- has at least one member of the family who speaks some English
- will offer you free board and lodging
- will offer you a minimum of NOK 825,- a week as pocket money
- will need your help with for instance caring for animals, picking berries and fruit, harvesting vegetables, haymaking, etc.
What are the working conditions?
- Working hours: The standard agreement for the program states that you are expected to work up to 35 hours a week, and that you are entitled to have one and a half day off weekly. Usually, the Working Guest works six to seven hours five days a week. Depending on the season and the kind of work, the host may ask you to work a few hours more one day, and have more time off later. At some places the working hours may be divided, so that you will work some hours in the morning and some in the afternoon. Working on a farm or on a camping site you have to adapt to changing weather conditions and other unpredictable factors. Obviously, this makes it very different from working in an office or in a shop. Please remember that you are supposed to be a family member. This means that not everything you do, like clearing off the table or doing the dishes after dinner, is work, but just a part of being a family member. Flexibility and understanding is of course essential
- Pocket money: You will receive a minimum of NOK 825,- per week as pocket money from your host family, and you should not expect it to be more. It is only possible to depart from this standard agreement if both you and your host family agree to it in writing, and it must not differ too much from the general agreement. All Working Guests are obliged to pay taxes. Still, your host may apply to the taxation authorities for exemption from taxes, but you are not guaranteed that you will get such exemption. Consequently, you should be prepared to pay taxes, and the tax rate will depend on how much you earn and which area of Norway you are situated in. Please note that the value of free board and lodging could be added to your income before taxation
- Accommodation: You will get free board and accommodation like a member of the family, and you will most likely have your own bedroom in the main building. However, in some cases you may be asked to share a bedroom with another Working Guest of your own gender, or a separate lodging alone or with several others. A host may invite up to three Working Guests at the same time, but most of them only have one or two.
What is the placement procedure?
- When we receive your application, we will start the process of trying to find a placement for you. Your application form and references are forwarded to host families which we believe suit your qualifications and wishes. Based on your application, the family themselves decide if they are going to invite you as a Working Guest. Some families prefer to give you a call before they decide to invite you.
- When a host family invites you, we will immediately send you their invitation, along with information about the family, their farm and the tasks you will get. If needed, you will also get detailed instructions on how to apply for a work permit. Furthermore, you will receive written information about Norway, our country and customs.
- At this moment it will be your responsibility to establish contact with the host family, to agree upon details and get to know each other before your departure. You are also responsible for applying for your work permit and getting a visa or transfer visa if needed. Naturally, you may contact us if you have questions or need our help.
- If you do get invited, you are most likely to receive your offer eight to ten weeks before your preferred arrival date.
How do I apply?
Due to the popularity of the program we now require all applicants from countries outside the EEA/EU to apply through one of our partner organizations. The exception is if you have already made an arrangement with a farmer before you apply.
When should I apply?
The operator accepts applications and places participants all year round. However, some of our partner organizations have application deadlines. We have many applicants competing for the same placements, so the sooner we receive your application, the greater the chances of finding a placement for you!
What is the program price?
- The fee will wary, depending on which partner organization you apply through, and how long you wish to stay for. Please contact the partner organization in your country for more information (see "How do I apply?")
- If you are not placed, or if you cancel before you have been invited, the registration fee will be returned to you. Please note that we keep an administrational charge of NOK 250,- (150,- when you go through a partner organization). The fee will be returned to you as soon as possible, but please be aware that it might take some time we have many applicants.
Do I need a work permit?
- Citizens of all other countries outside the EEA/EU need to arrange a work permit before arrival in Norway. In accordance with an agreement between The Operator and UDI, the permit is given to virtually all participants in our program. However, the UDI may reject your application if they find that circumstances connected to your nationality or your personal record should prevent you from obtaining a work permit.
- The application for a work permit is to be arranged immediately after you have received an invitation/ offer of employment from one of the host families, through the operator. The application is to be made at the Norwegian Embassy or consulate in your home country. Be aware that the original offer of employment document must be enclosed. The Embassy will forward your application to the UDI, which is responsible for the evaluation. It may take about eight weeks before the application for work permit is accepted. If a visa is needed, you will get one at the Embassy.
- It is extremely important that you do not leave your home country before all formalities have been arranged! If you arrive in Norway without your work permit, we will not be able to help you. It is not possible to apply for a work permit when you are in one of the Nordic countries and the operator has no influence on these regulations. Please note that the work permit is valid only at one certain host family for a fixed period. The Law of Immigration does not allow any change of employer after your arrival in Norway, unless there are extremely weighty reasons, like serious illness in the host family.
- You or your host family may contact the operator if you have not received the work permit shortly before the planned arrival in Norway. We will then try to "push" the Immigration Office for you.
- Please bear in mind that you can not enter any of the Nordic countries while your application is being processed at the immigration office. The work permit is valid only at one certain host family for a fixed period.
Can I be placed with my friend?
As the majority of host families invite only one working guest at a time, placing two persons together may prove difficult. Therefore, we strongly advice you to inform us if you are also willing to participate individually.
Can I participate several times?
If you have participated in the working guest programme earlier, we want to make you aware that you will only be able to visit the same family twice. This will of course only be possible if you and the family agree on it beforehand. The operator has set this limit because we would like as many applicants as possible to have the opportunity to participate.
Do I need insurance?
- Holding your work permit to Norway, or working here as an EU/EEA citizen, you become a member of the Norwegian National Health Service. This means that if you get ill during your stay, you will only have to pay a very small fee for e medical treatment at the hospital or the doctor (public health care). NB: The Norwegian Health Service only
- The Norwegian National Health care system covers treatment of acute medical problems only. It does not cover dental treatment or medical transportation. Also, as this is not an insurance, it will not help you if you for instance lose your luggage, get robbed or if you get ill and can not travel back home by public transportation.
- Consequently, we strongly advise you to buy a private travel insurance before leaving your home country!
What about travel expenses?
- You must pay your own travel costs both ways to the host family's place. We advice you to contact a travel agency, and ask them about the cheapest fare. It is usually cheaper to buy a return ticket than two one way tickets.
- Remember to bring money with in order to cover at least the first week's expenses, and be aware that Norway could be an expensive country for many foreigners.
What if problems arise?
- To solve a problem, whether it is personal or arises from a conflict with someone, it is important that you discuss it with your hosts. Lack of communication often creates problems. It is important to be open about what you think and how you feel.
- If you do not manage to solve the problem with your host family directly, we want you to contact the operator. Although we have limited possibilities of solving individual problems, that may often come from just a "personality clash", we do our best to help out. We can help you to clear up misunderstandings, set up an agreement, find compromises and an acceptable solution. To be able to help you, we need to be informed of what your problem is! For citizens of other than the EU/EEA countries, the very strict work permit regulations in Norway demand that you can not change employer during your 2-3 months stay. The only exception is in case of serious illness in the host family.
- A Working Guest may interrupt his/her stay, if the host family breaks the written agreement or shows very little ability to integrate the guest in their family life. The host family may ask the Working Guest to leave their farm and return home if he/she proves to have very little ability to adjust to their way of life, shows a severe lack of responsibility towards the tasks on the farm, if he/she commits a criminal act or has given incorrect information about him/herself in the application process. They may also break the contract in cases like severe illness, sudden unemployment etc.
- If you have not been in Norway before, you should be aware that it is a special country, long, narrow and sparsely populated. Most of the farms are situated on the countryside far away from a town. The public transportation is often very limited and it can be long way to the nearest shop, bank or pub etc.
- It is important that you have thought about how to handle problems and home-sickness before you apply. If difficulties should arise you will be stronger, and see that problems can even become a challenge. In case problems become so extensive that either you or the host family are not able to cope with it and a brake-up becomes inevitable, both parties are entitled to seven days of notice. Shorter notice is only acceptable in very serious situations. Any break-up is to be discussed with the operator on beforehand.
Responsibilities
- The Working Guest is responsible for reading and following the rules of this program.
- The Working Guest is responsible for applying for a work permit, after receiving the information of how to apply from The Operator.
- The Working Guest is also responsible for buying his/her own travel insurance before the arrival. The Operator strongly recommends this.
- The Working Guest is responsible for establishing contact with the host family before departure.
- The Operator can not be held responsible in case of a late granted or refused application for work permit or visa. Nor is The Operator responsible for a participant's insufficient insurance coverage or any incident occurring to the participant during the stay in Norway.
- If necessary, The Operator is responsible for granting advice and guidance to the Working Guest before and during the stay.
- For information about transportation to and in Norway, please visit www.nor-way.no. For accommodation at youth hostels, please visit www.vandrerhjem.no
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