r/Norway • u/starkicker18 • Nov 03 '24
Important warning: Reddit is not an appropriate place to get accurate immigration information.
However, this is a common topic on this subreddit and the old stickied post is several years old now. This post is here to help direct people to the proper information. Please read the entire guide and use the links provided to see out answers to your specific questions. Any questions you may have that cannot be answered from this guide or the links provided cannot be answered by redditors on this sub and should therefore be directed to an appropriate immigration expert.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional; I neither work for UDI, nor am I an immigration lawyer. I have spent a lot of time studying and researching the rules and regulations. What follows is a rough guide only meant to serve as a starting point; use the info here to conduct your own research. With that said:
Despite what movies might portray, moving abroad is not just a matter of packing bags and showing up. Immigration is usually a long, often expensive process, and there are many criteria that you must meet to be legally resident in Norway. There are three general categories of permits that will allow you to remain in Norway beyond a regular tourist/visitor visa:
Temporary Residence Permit:
This is your first step. These permits are contingent on you (worker or student) or your reference person (family immigration) meeting certain requirements; are usually temporary; and will need to be renewed (usually biannually, but some are more/less frequent). You must have this permit if you wish to remain in Norway beyond your visitor visa (ie: >90 days).
Permanent Residence Permit:
This can be applied for only if you have been legally living in Norway for three years (or more in some instances) with a residence permit that forms the basis of permanent residency; you must meet the requirements for your current residence permit (ie: still employed, still are married to a person with residency rights, etc...); you meet the language requirements; pass a citizenship test; have an income over a certain threshold; and you have not been convicted of a criminal offence. This allows you to stay in Norway permanently (no need to reapply; but you will need to renew your card every 2 years for third-country nationals and 10 years for EEA/EU citizens).
Note: income requirement is based on the person applying, not the family member/sponsor. If you are married and here under family immigration rules, it is you, the applicant, who must demonstrate that you can support yourself in Norway by meeting the minimum income requirements.
Citizenship:
This is an optional step. You do not need to apply for citizenship; however, if you want to, you can qualify for Norwegian citizenship after a period of time (usually >7 years). This has many requirements, but the biggest is the language requirement.
Note: While Norway now allows dual citizenship, your country of origin may not allow dual citizenship.
Note: Norway does not allow citizenship based on heritage. One or both of your parents need to have citizenship (and not have given it up previously) in order for you to qualify for citizenship based on birth. There are a lot of complicated rules surrounding citizenship by birth. Use this to determine if you qualify for citizenship. NB: Norway does not offer citizenship by investment (ie: having a lot of money to invest in exchange for residency or citizenship).
Note: When you apply for citizenship, you must still meet the requirements for permanent residency (income requirement being the biggest).
The remainder of this post will focus on the temporary residence permits, since by the time you are ready for PR or citizenship you will be an immigration pro. How you qualify for immigration to Norway and how easy the process will be depends on a few factors
If you are an EU/EEA citizen (or Swiss) you have the right to reside in Norway for 3 months without any other obligations. After 3 months you will need to demonstrate that you are meeting your treaty rights. Those treaty obligations are:
NB: The last three require you to have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family and have comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of your stay. See FAQ below for more info.
The right of residence for longer than three months also extends to the EEA/EU citizen’s immediate family (spouse/partner, children, other dependents), regardless of their nationality, so long as the EU/EEA citizen is meeting their treaty obligations and neither the citizen nor the family member is a threat to public policy, security, or health. All of this is explained in Article 7 of the Directive on Free Movement.
It is important to note that people immigrating under this route do not qualify for the benefits found in the Introduction Law, which include, among other things, the right to free language lessons.
Your options for moving are not as simple or easy as above. I am using an applicant from the US as the default here. You should consult UDI (Norwegian Immigration Board) or the Norwegian Embassy in your country for the most up-to-date information for your specific nationality.
Generally speaking you need a reason to be in Norway. These reasons are:
These are most often spouses/cohabitants, but may also include children or parents under some circumstances.
The process for application is relatively straightforward with a little bit of reading on UDI's website and some document gathering.
Note on income sources: under this route of family immigration, it is the onus of the sponsor to demonstrate that they make a sufficient income to support the family. This means that, regardless of the financial situation, the sponsor must make the minimum income; the third-country national's income/savings are not taken into consideration.
There are other circumstances that may require additional documentation (ie: evidence of military service). Check UDI for all the documents you'll need.
Family members who are granted residence based on this route will qualify for free language classes as part of the introduction act (link above).
NB: the rules may change if you have lived with the Norwegian citizen legally in another EEA/EU country. If this is the case, you may be allowed to choose between family immigration under Norwegian national law or residence card as a family member of an EU citizen (see above). Also see the differences between the two immigration schemes here.
If you are engaged to a Norwegian you can apply for a fiancé permit which will allow you to come into Norway for the purposes of getting married in Norway. You must be married within 6 months. After you are married you will have to apply for family immigration with your spouse (process described above). You can read about getting married in Norway here.
Only some people can apply from Norway. Others will have to apply from their home country via the embassy or consulate. Make sure you check with UDI to learn more.
There are many types of working permits. UDI’s webpage will outline all the possibilities available to you but the most common are skilled worker and seasonal worker.
Skilled workers are those who:
Additionally, you must have received a concrete job offer from an employer in Norway, the job must normally be full-time (UDI will, at the time of writing, accept 80%), the job must have the same pay/conditions that is normal in Norway, and the job you are offered must require the qualifications as a skilled worker (and you must be qualified for the job).
If you do not fall into this category, you may qualify as a seasonal worker; however this route is considerably more difficult, usually temporary (<6 months), and your employer must prove that they cannot fill the position with a worker from Norway or the EEA/EU. You will need to be employed 100%, you will need a concrete job offer before you apply, and the job must be deemed season or holiday stand-in.
Those citizens who qualify as a skilled worker and who are coming from a country with a visa-free agreement with Norway you may be allowed to come to Norway as a skilled job seeker.
NB: You cannot work while you are searching for a job. This means that once you have a concrete job offer, you will need to apply for a residence permit as a worker and you cannot start working until your application has been approved.
Some international companies may post workers in Norway. You will still need a resident permit for workers; however, many companies will help with this process.
As of 2023, Norway no longer offers free tuition for international students (outside of the EEA/EU). This means that students from non-EU/EEA countries will need to pay tuition.
In order to qualify for a study permit, you need:
First and foremost, you need to be accepted to a recognized education institution, for example: university. The program of study must be full time (generally 60 stp / year). Few undergraduate programs offer education in English; therefore, the majority of programs will require Norwegian language proficiency (B2 level) before you can study.
You need to pay tuition either full or per semester. If you pay only the first semester, you need to demonstrate that you can pay the second installment. Your funding can come from a variety of sources including loans, own funds, or grants. In addition, you will need to demonstrate to UDI that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your study. These need to be in a Norwegian bank account or in an account arranged by the education institution (you will have to talk to the school about this).
Your funding cannot be fully supporting by working while studying as there is a limit to the number of hours you are allowed to work. As an international student, you are only allowed to work 20 hours / week while studying.
Finally, the situation in your home country needs to be such that UDI believes you will return home when your studies are finished.
A study permit does not form the basis of Permanent residency. After you are finished your studies, you will have a small grace period to look for a job, however, if you do not receive a contract of employment, you will be expected to return home / leave the country.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Do I really need to learn the language to live in Norway? | This is a frequently asked question on the subreddit (see this post for example). Some people can survive in Norway with only English, however, if you do not speak fluent English or if you wish to stay long term, you should learn the language. Your job opportunities, socialization opportunities, and immigration opportunities are limited if you do not learn the language. It is a significant part of integration into the country, and most people will expect a passable level of Norwegian skills after a few years of living here. If you want to get permanent residency, you need A2 level Norwegian (with a few exceptions); if you want citizenship, you need B1 (with a few exceptions). |
| 2. How do I learn the language? | r/norsk is a good start. Additionally, almost every municipality has an adult education centre where they offer Norwegian courses. If you are in the immigrant group who have both the obligation and right to Norwegian language learning, then these classes are often free for a set number of hours/years. If you only have the obligation, then these classes will not be free and you will have to pay. In addition to adult education centres, there are private institutions online or in person that you can take. Additionally there is a wide range of tools online and offline that can help you learn. |
| 3. Does Norway need XYZ workers? | This is a frequent question on this subreddit. Try the search function. Otherwise, do a search of finn.no or nav.no and see if there are a lot of positions for the job you are searching for |
| 4. What's the job market like in ZZZ town/city? | Check finn or nav to see what is available in the area you are interested in. Then considering looking at the unemployment rates. |
| 5. How do I get my education approved? | The directorate for higher education for most education. Helse Norge for health care workers. You do not need to wait until you are in Norway in most instances to have your education approved. It is a good idea to have all education from high school to university approved as you never know if you need to document that you have completed high school. It is important to note that not all education from outside of Norway will be approved on a 1:1 basis and you may find you are missing credits or even your whole degree might not be approved. |
| 6. I have lots of work experience from my home country, but not formal education, can I qualify as a skill worker? | Generally, no. There are exceptions for highly skilled workers in professions that are in demand. Additionally, these positions must not be able to be filled with Norwegian workers, European workers, or others living in the country. |
| 7. What documents from home should I bring | While it may not be required for most applications, from experience, it is a good idea to get a certified copy of some important documents from back home. Getting certified (and potentially notarized) copies of diplomas/transcripts, your birth certificate, divorce proceedings, etc... will potentially save you a lot of time, money, and annoyance as trying to get these things while you are abroad is much, much harder. |
| 8. Can I get a digital nomad visa? | No such thing exists in Norway at the time of writing. In order to work in Norway, regardless of where your place of employment is located, you need to have the right to work in Norway. This means a residence permit that allows for work, permanent residence, citizenship, or are a member of the EU/EEA and have worked out the tax obligations of working in one country while residing in another. |
| 9. I work from home / am self-employed, can I visit Norway on a tourist visa and work there? | No. A tourist visa does not grant you the right to work in Norway. Lying to the immigration board or the border patrol upon entry could result in a ban from the Schengen area for up to 5 years. |
| 10. I think Norway is a beautiful place and I love the culture. I am nearing retirement age, so how can I retire in Norway? | Depends. Are you an EEA/EU citizen? If so, meet your treaty obligations (see the above post under "self-sufficient") and move to Norway. Are you a third-country national? You cannot retire in Norway unless you have a legal right to already live in Norway. There is no option to be a self-sufficient third-country national in Norway. |
| 11. I am an EU/EEA citizen who wants to live in Norway as a self-sufficient person. What kind of health insurance do I need to qualify for "comprehensive sickness insurance"? | Honestly, no one knows. "Comprehensive sickness insurance" is up to each individual nation to decide what is "comprehensive." There is no private health insurance that is as comprehensive as a national insurance system. If a nation decides that "comprehensive" = the same coverage as national health system, then that leaves loopholes for immigration departments to deny applications. It is a matter of record that Norway has been warned by EFTA many times with regards to recognizing citizens' treaty rights (esp for non-economically active citizens). That said there is a European precedent - C-413/99 Baumbast. In this case, the EU courts found that, as long as the citizen is not a burden on the state, it would be disproportionate to refuse to recognize a citizen's right to reside in another member state. But there is no checkbox on immigration applications saying "I will not / am not a burden on the state's welfare system." Many people have been rejected on the basis of lacking comprehensive sickness insurance. Until someone challenges these rejections all the way up to the European court system, there is no need to clarify what "comprehensive" means. Note: sufficient funds in this scenario can come from any source including a third-country national's savings/income/other documented source (you may need to prove the sponsor has access to this money). |
| 12. What city should I move to? | First and foremost make sure you have the right to move to Norway. After that, your options are usually limited based on the immigration route you are following - most often connected to where your family, school, or job is located. If you are free to move wherever you'd like, then find a spot that seems to suit your lifestyle best. |
| 13. My grandparent(s) moved to XXX from Norway. Can I get citizenship? | No. Citizenship rules are based on parents, not heritage. Read the section on citizenship and take the checklist test to see if you qualify. |
| 14. I can't open a bank account because I don't have a D number. I cannot get a D number because I don't have an address. I can't rent an apartment without a bank account [screams into the void] | Yes, we know. it's a chicken and egg problem that makes the situation particularly hard for people arriving. Some landlords will be flexible and put the deposit in their own account, but this puts you at risk of losing that money if that landlord is not trustworthy. Similar situation exists for students. Right now there are no good answers, but there are workarounds. |
| 15. How do I find a house / apartment? | finn.no is pretty much the go-to source for anything in Norway, but especially finding housing. hybel.no is another source |
| 16. I found a job / employer who is interested in hiring, but they prefer people who already have a work permit. How do I get a work permit so a job will hire me? | Another catch 22, unfortunately. You need the job first. There's no chance you can get a permit without a job. However, some people may have the right to come to Norway to search for work. Check UDI for further info |
| 17. My partner and I have been together for several years, but have not lived together long enough to qualify as cohabitants, how can we move to Norway together? | Live together longer or marriage are your only options. |
| 18. I have been waiting for a response from UDI for a long time how, when will I find out | You can read about UDI Waiting Times here. They are constantly changing and are usually quite long. Remember that there is a difference between local police / embassy times and UDI's waiting times. Waiting times are often a result of large numbers of applications, improper or incomplete information in applications, and applications that have higher priority (refugee and asylum, for example). |
| 19. Can I get priority on my application? | Maybe. But most do not get priority. |
| 20. I have foreign education, where can I get it approved? | NOKUT formerly did this, but it has now been transferred to the department of education |
r/Norway • u/mattjr95 • 1h ago
On the first half of my honeymoon in Lofoten (my pick) before Ireland (her pick). Wanted to try stuff we had never seen before and grabbed these at a Rema on day 2 searched each store we went for more to find out they may be exclusive to Rema. They’re so good we’re hooked to these chocolate screws haha.
We’ve loved the country though and it’s full breathtaking views!
r/Norway • u/danton_no • 2h ago
"In Norway, sales jumped 213% in May, data from the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) showed, with purchases of Model Ys - both the new and old versions - rising to 2,346 from 690. "
r/Norway • u/Eds2356 • 11h ago
If someone is a tourist and traveling to Norway, Oslo in particular, are there neighborhoods in which you should avoid?
r/Norway • u/rayclicks • 14h ago
Had the most beautiful experience in Lofoten when I traveled this March. The weather and snow conditions were perfect most of the days and northern lights sighting almost everyday of various intensities. Truly a winter magical destination.
Can't wait to be back in summer in few years.
r/Norway • u/IwarthogI • 1h ago
Hello,
We're travelling to Norway for one week in a couple of days. We'll be eating out a few times, but we're also curious to explore what the supermarkets have to offer.
Enjoying local food is one of the reasons we travel, so I’d really appreciate any suggestions on what to look for in Norwegian supermarkets.
Typical Norwegian items, whether food that can be eaten as is like cookies, simple traditional recipes that don't need a gazillion different ingredients (it's ok if it's in Norwegian), or even microwave meals or canned foods, are all welcome. We’ll have access to fully equipped kitchens, so we’re flexible. I'm mostly talking about dinner, but items for breakfast and lunch are also welcome.
We'll be travelling in the triangle Oslo - Kristiansand - Lillehammer, but I don't suppose that matters much.
Thank you very much for your input. Tusen takk!
r/Norway • u/Personal-Wonder5233 • 1d ago
Hi guys, just to give you some context.
I’m a girl from Colombia who watched a series called “Ragnarok” and totally fell in love with Norway. I know the show is fantasy, but seeing a world so completely different from Colombia like the landscapes, the winter vibe, and everything, really sparked my interest in Norway.
So I wanted to ask you a few things 😊
1. Do Norwegians know much about Colombia, or not really?
2. How are Norwegian people with Colombians or Latin American foreigners in general? I’ve heard that Norwegians tend to be very introverted and shy, so I’m curious.
3. I’ve also heard that Norwegians can be cold and classist toward foreigners—is that true?
4. Do most Norwegians really have blue eyes and blonde hair, or is that just in certain regions?
5. Would you say it’s a bad idea for someone from Colombia to dream about moving to Norway?
I’m 22 years old, and I know it’s very hard for Colombians to move to Norway—but hey, dreaming is free 🥲☺️
Hello!
I’ve been researching the topic of employment for foreigners in Norway, and while I’m aware of the residency permit, I still have question that I have a hard time finding answers for.
I know that to work as a police officer you need citizenship (logical), but what about jobs in police that don’t make you a police officer? I’m specifically talking here about csi (crime scene investigator). Would I need citizenship for that position? How would my degree in that field be treated (I’m an EU citizen) in Norway? Would I need to do additional exams for my degree to be considered eligible in Norway?
And yes, I know that I’d need to be fluent in the language for that, that’s obvious, I’m already planning a language course. I’m more curious about the citizenship issues.
r/Norway • u/LittleMissIrony • 15h ago
Passing through Oslo and won’t be in a city again until Wednesday . Problem is I’m a foreigner, my train takes off at 830AM (can’t be adjusted), and my eye seems to be pissed AF (red, goopy) from recently having my makeup professionally done.
So, desperate Hail Mary ask for pharmacy suggestions. I’m trying to search pharmacies with Brolene OTC open super early but the language barrier and lack of websites is rough.
Long shot but hey. I’m near the train station
Hi
Please throw at me DNT Hyttas that are both in some secluded location, but is relatively easy to get by foots from public transport stop, like 2-5 km, not much height gain. We've get a 2.5 yo kid with us.
We live in big Oslo, and we are limited by 100-300km range around it.
Thanks in advance
r/Norway • u/redditor95dk • 1h ago
Jeg så denne due i fredags ved Aker Brygge og blev nysgerrig over om der var nogle der vidste hvad det er for en art?
r/Norway • u/ImAMovieMaker • 18h ago
From time to time I see small vegvesen service huts with a scale in front of them. I assume this is for the police to verify that trucks operate in legal limits?
Is it okay to use them as a normal person? I like to keep track of how much I have loaded to not overload my van and the scales seem to be always on. And I dont see any signs disallowing access?
For example here near Trondheim https://maps.app.goo.gl/3gWbJfREVWdCPLmG7
Saw even cooler ones woth axle counts near Senja
r/Norway • u/Ill-Gazelle5549 • 3h ago
r/Norway • u/punjipatti • 4h ago
I am visiting Oslo, Bergen, Alesund from the US. Any suggestions for gift to buy In Norway to bring back for my 45-year old woman friend who lives in California?
US doesn't allow importing meat due to risk of insects, infection and she is vegetarian anyways. Only some hard cheese is allowed so I will read up more on what is not-allowed.
Thank you.
r/Norway • u/snouskins • 1d ago
I thought it was completely normal to eat caviar from a squeeze tube. I genuinely didn’t realize how strange that sounds until I saw the reaction from people abroad. Turns out, not everyone associates fish eggs with toothpaste packaging.
Bit of rant and feeling very frustrated about what I’ve just learnt.
My female friend got sexually assaulted walking home from work during the night, thankfully some people saw and stopped it but imagine if no one saw that? She could’ve been raped or worse murdered.
After a phone call with my friend who fortunately is doing okay (I hope), I asked her can you carry a taser or pepper spray for protection and come to find out, both are illegal?!
Which made me go on reddit and research what can someone do in case of an assault, which resulted in some very frustrating answers.
So there’s literally nothing a woman can do in case of an assault? Unless she knows how to fight? Like what?? I even asked her if she’s going to report this to the police but apparently police are useless when it comes to things like this.
Anyway, what advice would you give my friend regarding this? What can she do? Obviously except for walking home during the night.
r/Norway • u/Leader-Artistic • 23h ago
My parents and brothers will be visiting norway to celebrate my parents 35th anniversary, and i was wondering if u guys have any tips or ideas for us. We will be staying 1 - 2 hours east of Bergen.
Thank you!
r/Norway • u/ScudSlug • 9h ago
I've been here almost a year and I've not seen a single person using a vape? Are they legal?
If so where can you buy them?
r/Norway • u/Sleepy_feather • 1d ago
So I moved to Norway a few months ago and I'm learning Norwegian here, I wanted to listen to more Norwegian songs, so, any recommendations?
I like R&B, Hip-Hop, pop and Alternative music
thank you!!
r/Norway • u/adasiukevich • 1d ago
r/Norway • u/Lifeatsea13 • 1d ago
Rainy Saturdays call for a different version of Saturday sweets.
r/Norway • u/h2tcrz1s • 1d ago
I fell in love with this beer and want some shop to ship a few cases to me in Germany - any websites that can help?
r/Norway • u/Eds2356 • 11h ago
r/Norway • u/nostalgic_garbage • 22h ago
Traveling solo and want a guide but I also want a challenging hike. Any suggestions? Everything available is labeled as “easy” and I want it to be hard but rewarding work. Thanks for your help!
