Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by a Norwegian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Live in Norway
You can live with your family in Norway until the date your residence card expires.
You can register as a resident if you meet the rules, and rent housing.
You can travel within Norway and open ordinary services and accounts if you meet each service’s rules.
Attend school
Children can attend school and kindergarten under the ordinary rules in Norway.
Work in Norway
The family immigration permit normally lets adults work without a separate work permit.
You need a tax-deduction card, and special rules protect workers under 18.
Leave and return
You can leave and return to Norway with a valid passport and residence card.
Your passport’s visa rules and other countries’ entry rules still apply.
Vote in local elections
You can vote in municipal and county elections from age 18 after three continuous years registered as a resident in Norway.
A separate rule applies to citizens of Nordic countries.
Use public healthcare
If you intend to stay in Norway for at least 12 months, you normally join National Insurance.
Membership gives access to public healthcare under its rules, and you normally pay user fees.
Get family support
Child benefit may be available if you and your family live in Norway, are registered and have legal residence.
Cash-for-care also depends on age, kindergarten and five-year National Insurance membership conditions.
How to apply
From outside NorwayFrom outside Norway
Find your consulate
You or your parent can use UDI’s location list to find the embassy, consulate or application centre serving the country where you apply. Follow the location assigned in your online application rather than choosing an office yourself.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I hand in a Norway family immigration application for a child near your city?”
Fill in the application
You or your parent should complete the family immigration application online, choosing the category for a child under 18 and entering your personal details and country of residence. If your parent fills it in, “you” in the form still means you, the child.
Fill in the applicationPay the fee online
You or your parent should pay the application fee in the online portal. If it was not paid there, open the application under submitted applications and choose “Go to application” to pay.
Pay the feePrint and sign confirmation
The person who completed the form should print the document sent by email. You should sign it.
Find printing instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I print and sign the confirmation for a Norway family immigration application for a child?”
Gather your documents
You or your parent should prepare the documents required for your application.
See required documentsBook an appointment
You or your parent should follow the assigned submission place’s instructions to book an appointment if one is required. Some places accept applications without an appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for a Norway family immigration application for a child at the submission place serving your city?”
Hand in your application
You should go to the assigned embassy, consulate or application centre with your signed confirmation, passport and required documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I hand in a Norway family immigration application for a child near your city?”
Wait for the decision
You or your parent can follow the case in My applications and respond if the authorities ask for more information or documents. Do not travel to Norway before approval unless you have another right to enter and stay.
Follow your applicationOnce in NorwayOnce in Norway
Book your card appointment
After approval and arrival in Norway, you or your parent should follow the police’s instructions to book your residence-card appointment.
Book your appointmentAttend your card appointment
You should attend the police appointment for your residence card and provide your biometric details as instructed. The card will show that you have permission to stay in Norway.
Find appointment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Norway residence card appointment after a family immigration application for a child?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Get your birth certificate or an equivalent official document showing your relationship to your parent.
Adoption documents
Get the final adoption decision or certificate showing that your adoption is legally valid where it took place. If the adoption took place after one or both adoptive parents moved to Norway, also provide the approval or recognition from Bufdir, Norway’s adoption authority.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide documentation showing that your Norwegian parent is a Norwegian citizen.
Parent's residence record
Provide documentation showing that your Norwegian parent lives in Norway.
Parental responsibility documents *
If your parents share parental responsibility, provide the other parent’s written consent for you to live in Norway and a certified copy of that parent’s valid photo ID. If your parent in Norway has sole parental responsibility, provide a court order proving it instead.
* Only if only one parent lives in Norway and parental responsibility is shared or that parent has sole responsibility.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permit renewal and changes
Keep your residence card valid, report relevant changes and apply to renew before your permit expires, normally at least three months ahead.
Late renewal can interrupt your rights and access to public services.
A long stay abroad can affect registration, insurance membership and renewal.
Residence can be lost
Your permit can expire if not renewed or be withdrawn if its basis ends or information was false or withheld.
Serious crime, unauthorised work, overstaying or not leaving after a refusal can lead to expulsion and a ban from Norway and sometimes Schengen.
Other legal grounds can also lead to expulsion; your family ties and best interests are considered.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Norway Visa Process - Immigration Legal UDI spørsmål besvares av advokater
Facebook group for people living in Norway interested in Norwegian visas (Norwegian & English)
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on Redditr/europe
English Reddit group for people interested in local life in Europe
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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