Eligibility quiz
Are you married to, or in a registered partnership with, a Norwegian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Norway
You can live in Norway for the period shown on your residence card.
A first permit is normally granted for at least one year and no more than three years.
Study in Norway
You can attend education, and children can attend school.
You can also use public and local services if you meet their separate rules.
Work in Norway
Adults can work in Norway without a separate work permit.
People under 18 are subject to youth-employment rules.
Travel and return
While your permit is valid, you can leave and return to Norway with a valid passport or travel document and your residence card.
You can also visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days.
Vote in local elections
People without Norwegian citizenship can vote in local and county elections from age 18 after being registered as living in Norway continuously for the preceding three years.
A separate rule applies to citizens of Nordic countries.
Use public healthcare
As a lawful resident, you can receive essential healthcare and care services, normally for a user fee.
Hospital admission is generally free, but insurance membership and refunds for particular treatment depend on separate rules.
Receive family support
You may qualify for child benefit if your child lives in Norway and your family is resident and registered here.
Cash-for-care has additional rules about the child's age, kindergarten and five years of national insurance membership.
How to apply
From outside NorwayFrom outside Norway
Find your application centre
Use the family immigration selector to find the application centre or Norwegian embassy or consulate designated for the country where you live. Choose spouse or registered partner, your nationality and your present country of residence.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I hand in a Norway family immigration application if I live in your city?”
Fill in your application
Create an account in the application portal and fill in the family immigration application for yourself. Give your present country of residence when asked where you are applying from.
Fill in the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in a Norway family immigration application online?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the application fee online in the portal.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Norway family immigration application fee online?”
Print and sign confirmation
Download the confirmation sent to you by email, print it and sign it.
Find your confirmationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I print and sign the confirmation for my Norway family immigration application?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application centre or Norwegian embassy or consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment with the application centre or Norwegian embassy or consulate designated for the country where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for Norway family immigration at the application centre serving your city?”
Go to your appointment
Go in person to hand in your application and documents, including your passport, originals, copies and your personalised checklist. Give your fingerprints and other biometric details there.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to my Norway family immigration appointment at the application centre serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for your application to be registered and for a decision. Answer any questions or requests for more documents; a pending application alone does not give you permission to enter or stay in Norway.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Norway family immigration application take?”
Get an entry visa
After your application is approved, obtain an entry visa if you need one to travel to Norway.
Find entry visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get an entry visa after my Norway family immigration application is approved?”
Once in NorwayOnce in Norway
Travel to Norway
Travel to Norway after approval and follow the arrival instructions in your decision.
Find arrival instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I do when I arrive in Norway after my family immigration application is approved?”
Book a card appointment
If you need a residence card, book an appointment with the police office serving the place where you live.
Book a card appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a police appointment for a Norway family immigration residence card?”
Attend your card appointment
Go to the police appointment and give your biometric details as instructed. Your residence card shows that you have been granted a permit.
Find card appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Norway family immigration residence card appointment with the police?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificates
Get your marriage or registered-partnership certificate, normally from the country where you married or registered your partnership. If either of you was married before, include records showing how the earlier marriage ended.
Partner's citizenship records *
Provide the requested proof of your spouse or partner's Norwegian identity and citizenship. Check your personalised checklist for what to include.
* Only if your checklist asks for proof of your spouse or partner's Norwegian citizenship.
May need translationPartner's residence record *
Provide the requested proof that your spouse or partner lives in Norway. Check your personalised checklist for what to include.
* Only if your checklist asks for proof of your spouse or partner's residence in Norway.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Keeping your permit
Keep your identity and travel documents and residence card valid, and report relevant changes.
Apply to renew before expiry; applying late can interrupt your right to work and other rights.
Apply at least three months early, and normally live in Norway for at least half the permit period.
Permit can end
Your permit can end if it expires, its conditions end, you get another status or you spend too long abroad.
It may be taken away for knowingly giving important false information or withholding important facts; expulsion can also end your right to stay.
A breakup can put your permit at risk, but children, abuse or ties to Norway may offer another way to stay.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Norway Visa Community
English Facebook group for people living in Norway interested in Norwegian visas
Join on FacebookAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Norway interested in Norwegian visas
Join on FacebookNorway Visa Process - Immigration Legal UDI spørsmål besvares av advokater
Facebook group for people living in Norway interested in Norwegian visas (Norwegian & English)
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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