Persons who have been, or may be, granted permanent residence in Norway
Family members can apply for family immigration with you in Norway if you (the sponsor) are:
- a Norwegian citizen
- a Nordic citizen
- a foreign national holding a permanent residence permit (settlement permit) in Norway
- a foreign national holding a residence permit that forms the basis for a permanent residence permit. (Whether or not your residence permit forms the basis for a permanent residence permit is stated in the decision from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI).)
Subsistence requirement
In order for your family member to come to Norway, you must be able to support him/her financially. Read more about this requirement (the subsistence requirement).
Requirement for employment or education
If you are a foreign national resident in Norway and you have set up a family since you came here, you must, as a rule, have worked or studied here for four years before your family can apply for family immigration. The requirement for employment or education does not apply if you are a Norwegian or a Nordic citizen.
Persons who hold temporary residence permits in Norway
Your family member can also be granted a family immigration permit if you are only staying in Norway for a short period. This right only applies to spouses/cohabitants and children. In addition, you must hold a temporary permit in Norway and belong to one of the following categories:
- a student at university or university college level
- a researcher financing his/her own stay in Norway
- an employee of a non-profit, religious or humanitarian organisation
- an employee stationed abroad on a business assignment for at least six months
- a self-employed contractor on a business assignment for at least six months
- a media employee (for example a journalist)
- a Peace Corps volunteer
- a trainee
- a musician, performer, artist, culture worker, or the assistant of such a person
- a person covered by a group permit who has been granted an individual permit to work as part of the group after you came to Norway
- an employee on a platform (mobile installation) on the Norwegian continental shelf, who also holds a permit to stay on Norwegian territory
- a victim of human trafficking who has been granted a residence permit for a period of reflection (in which case only your children can come to Norway, not your spouse/cohabitant)
The family member’s permit depends on your permit
Your family member’s residence permit will depend on which permit you hold as a resident in Norway. His or her permit will never be valid longer than your permit, and it will only form the basis for a permanent residence permit (settlement permit) if your permit does.
Further information
If you have more questions about this topic, contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, the nearest police district or the UDI’s Information Service.
