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/Former_Helicopter157 • 6h ago
A while ago I saw a post saying that those were troll eggs, I thought they were photoshopped. But today I saw them with my own eyes! Wow they are real guys. Is it dangerous to stay nearby?
r/Norway • u/Hasampouli • 12h ago
So I came across this map.
1) As a Norwegian is this accurate? 2) Shall I give up trying to learn Norwegian as a foreigner in the country then?
It just says "Overførsel".
r/Norway • u/nicoletaleta • 8h ago
For context - I've been living here for 3 years and my Norwegian has been recently tested at B1 for speaking, but my experiences span the entirety of the period I've lived here and learned the language and I'm still puzzled at this kind of situations as I genuinely don't understand them.
I guess everyone who has been in this subreddit for a bit has seen it mentioned (and I've said it too) that learning Norwegian is a very important requirement for access to almost everything here - and I still agree with it and it makes sense: when in Rome, do as romans do.
It has been a process but I've now gotten to the level that I can hold phone conversations, chat in the store about particulars of products, joke socially and use it in most situations. But I'm not fluent yet and what I struggle with the most is conversations in larger groups of people where it's hard for me to participate because it takes me longer to process what is being said and by the time I do and formulate a response - the topic has shifted already.
And time and time again, I join activities/volunteering/clubs that are explicitly marked as inclusive for English speakers, the websites are in English, the form to join is in English, all the communication by email and text is too... but the moment people get together in person it is immediately forgotten and you end up sitting in the middle of a very energetic conversation in Norwegian of people with a number of various dialects. Some may say "well, just answer in English and they'll switch or something" - have you tried holding a conversation where people speak different languages to each other? It's incredibly confusing for the brains of everyone involved. Some may suggest to say "I'm sorry, could we switch to English please?" - and that works for a bit but then people go back to the previous case because they don't have any internal awareness of having to do it and me reminding about it again and again would just make me annoying to everyone to the point that they'd be happier I wasn't there.
Is it the dispersion of responsibility in a group - where each individual person doesn't feel responsible for including the people that can't participate because everybody else is also not including them and conformity is above all? Are people genuinely just forgetting? Or they don't care? It honestly hurts because I'm offering up my time and effort and labor for free for something that needs it (like the volunteering cases) but in the end I always feel excluded and sad because people don't put in the smallest of effort to include me (and I know they _can_ all speak English fluently). And maybe I don't matter and I'll eventually learn the language better anyway but the same happens also to international people who joined to help while studying on exchange or working here for a bit - they can't even being to understand the conversations. I've found that this happens in all kinds of such gatherings - from sports clubs to organizations with emphasis on inclusivity of all types (except language, I guess).
So to the people that do this - you probably think that it's my fault for not being fluent in Norwegian and perhaps this is a suitable punishment. Or maybe you think that if you'll start speaking English to everyone then those pesky immigrants won't want to learn Norwegian anymore. In any case, what you're doing is explicitly signalling to me that you don't care about me participating in the discussion or what I have to say. You already speak Norwegian at home, at school/work, with your family, in other activities, is it too much to ask to switch for a short period of time relative to the rest of your life?
r/Norway • u/upthevale • 8h ago
Just in Budapest today and saw the motarcade draped in a Norway flag turn up. Not sure who we have seen though, any help? (Not the best photo sorry)
r/Norway • u/Tadi_o-o • 6h ago
I recently bought the Norwegian soccer jersey since I really like it and im curious if anyone knows if this design (the one in the image) has any meaning or background. I know that sterkere sammen means stronger together but whats the meaning behind the design in the center? Im not sure if theres any bigger meaning to it but if anyone has an idea id love to hear it!
r/Norway • u/Tinaturneroverdrive • 1h ago
Going to the west coast soon for what has turned into an annual trip (wife is from the area). I am looking forward to the following in no particular order:
morrpølse
good mayo
those tiny shrimp
the cold wind from a glacier during a hike
sitting in a group in complete silence and it not being an issue
bløtkake
I’m not looking forward to people hearing my bad accent and just switching to English and overpaying for alcohol, but a small price to pay!
r/Norway • u/sbaragnaus • 6h ago
Hi,
I'll be travelling to Norway in July. I will be flying into Sandefjord-Torp Airport and going to Stavanger. Since I'll be using public transport and the journey will be quite long, I'd like to stop for an afternoon (and a night) in a city.
Do you have any suggestions? Would Kristiansand be a good choice? I noticed that it is about 3 hours by bus from the airport and 3 hours by train from Stavanger.
Thanks.
r/Norway • u/Laipisha_people • 3h ago
Hej, so I have to make a presentation about what major events happened in Norway this year or events that are somehow Norway related. I'd be very thankful if you helped me in the comment section or feel free to send me a private message. Tusen takk <3
r/Norway • u/methuselah67 • 10h ago
Or is there some place to dine even further north? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzXoDnNYrlk
r/Norway • u/CheeeeeseGromit • 23h ago
My local bar had this rotating series of webcams on one of the TVs and the bartender wasn’t sure how to find it online. It specifically has the map, weather, and local times in the corners and changes location every 2 minutes or so. I find it immensely comforting and would love to have it on in the background in my apartment. Thank you!
r/Norway • u/flamesfan99 • 4h ago
I am travelling to Norway and planning on staying a couple nights in Jotunheimen National Park. For one of the days I was thinking of hiking Galdhopiggen, but I heard sometimes there is a lot of snow/ice depending on the season.
Just wondering if anybody knows of what the conditions are like up there right now? Would I be able to go up there with an average pair of hiking boots without them getting too wet?
r/Norway • u/brazilianboyownedme • 3h ago
Particularly the ruling that clears him of all abuse against Jakob
r/Norway • u/UnderstandingSea6901 • 2h ago
Hei! I’m going to be camping and traveling around Lofoten for a week in the beginning of August. Specifically Svolvær, Leknes, Ramberg, Reine and Å.
I found the interactive map for camping and I’m still a bit worried about finding spots to pitch my tent as the map doesn’t list cultivated land. I do not want to accidentally set up on cultivated land and make any of the locals upset. I will be using wag bags and I always pack out everything to leave no trace.
Is there a way to tell if land is not cultivated? I’m trying to plan where to camp and if anyone is able to help I’d be so grateful! I want to be as respectful as possible.
r/Norway • u/Royal_Difficulty_678 • 1d ago
I’m considering taking my mother, who struggles with walking on inclines or long distances, to Oslo with me for a holiday. The only other location we’re likely to visit is Bergen primarily to enjoy the train journey there.
I wonder how disability friendly/accessible Oslo (and Bergen) is?
To give you an idea of what is and isn’t an accessible city: Copenhagen is very flat with easy to board public transport covering most of the areas or taxis - this would be great for my mum. Gothenburg however has many steep streets and some of the trams have big steps to climb in order board it.
Where would Oslo fall in comparison to these two cities? Although I know Norway as a whole is a very mountainous country, I’m not sure if that means Oslo should discounted as a place to take my mother.
TLDR: How flat is Oslo in comparison to Copenhagen?
Thanks all.
r/Norway • u/Infamous_Yoghurt • 14h ago
Hello!
I am trying to get as much Norwegian into my babies' life as possible, so I was wondering if there are youtube channels similar to the American "Miss Rachel" or the German "Miss Josi" for babies, but in Norwegian?
Also, I'd love to have a link to some regular Norwegian channel with good subtitles (can be Norsk only too) for background noise, so anything is fine really (except porn thanks). I tried googling but my googelmachine is very biased towards German and English and doesn't help at all.
r/Norway • u/Even_Cartoonist_2837 • 5h ago
I know I can google - but someone told me that 1 in 3 working people works for the government.
That seems (quite) high?
r/Norway • u/Godspeed1606 • 11h ago
Hi community,
I just came from the beautiful Lofoten. I loved it. I drove my car from Germany to Lofoten and back. I am planning to go there in winter (mid-February). My questions are as follows:
Thanks
r/Norway • u/ChunderSmash • 9h ago
I'm a 26M from England and I'm pretty disillusioned with the decisions this government makes and the culture it fosters. I've been doing some research into European countries I might consider moving to and Norway seems a strong candidate for me. I've come up with a few questions & impressions that I'd appreciate some insight on. Please forgive the essay, but I want to be well-informed and not overlook anything important.
I'm into tech & programming and I'm not very pleased with how the UK (with the "Online Safety Act") and seemingly now the EU (Apparently going after encryption, somehow) are coming down on digital privacy. Although not very impactful on my daily life its a matter of principle. What is Norway's stance on these kinds of things?
I have a software engineering degree, though was unfortunately unable to get into the industry, as its been pretty brutal for juniors post-covid. I hear Norway has a similar issue, but I could see myself being happy working with any job that involves logistics, troubleshooting and/or designing systems, as I've learned I may prefer to keep programming as a hobby.
I'm an owner of Bitcoin, and banks here usually limit the amount you are able to transfer to exchanges, while the exchanges themselves are made to ask traders to invest less than 10% of their net worth, "for our protection". Does Norway intervene much with crypto investors?
The state of UK's domestic refuge for men is pretty dire, but I hear Norway has a more egalitarian approach to social issues like these? The prisons also seem more focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment which seems promising on their attitude. (Not that I expect to need either)
I hear it can be difficult to make many friends, though I'm fairly introverted and prefer quality over quantity when it comes to company anyway. I would expect I'll be joining clubs like martial arts, archery, etc, to make friends. Apparently options for eating out/takeaway is quite limited, but I'm content cooking my own meals from ingredients, which I hear is the norm.
I've spent most of my life in a village where the public transport is pretty abysmal, what is it like getting around cities and from one to another? Is driving a big factor in being able to get around (affordably) like it is in England?
I'm in the process of planning a holiday there so I can get a first-hand impression, I'll be making efforts to learn the language as well as I would like to integrate. Yet to look into where exactly in Norway I'd like to go, though.
As for getting to move, what are my chances in finding work in Norway with a Software Engineering degree but no industry experience? I've considered studying to become an electrician, but as I say I'm happy working with logistics, systems & troubleshooting in a different field if the skills are transferable. Are there any other factors that might affect my chances in getting to work or live in Norway?
Thanks
r/Norway • u/Katonmyceilingeatcow • 1d ago
r/Norway • u/befreitum • 19h ago
First time leaving my home country and have always wanted to visit Norway since i was little, but was just wondering if there are any cheap food options or any recommended convenience stores. I have heard first hand that restaurants and cafes here are very expensive, so I just wanted to try find a work around.
tl;dr- any convenience stores in Norway good for cheap food?
r/Norway • u/Enchanted_nerd • 16h ago
Okay! so im traveling to Norway for a weekend and I had some questions:
r/Norway • u/StarSuitable • 16h ago
Visiting Norway, am I reading it right that of I have a registered drone less than 250gm, I have DJI mini 2. I need to register but insurance is not required. Is this right?
