Reduced quality of life as a result of the abuse

If you are experiencing abuse in a relationship with a person living in Norway, you may be entitled to a residence permit. The abuse may be either physical or emotional/psychological. The deciding factor is whether your quality of life is reduced as a result of the abuse.

As a rule, your statement is used as a basis for the immigration authorities’ evaluation of the abuse case. Nonetheless, in some cases, the person stating that he or she is being abused in the relationship will not be granted a new residence permit. This can happen if, for example:

• you do not hold a valid residence permit in Norway in the first place
• we find that abuse has not taken place in the relationship (on the grounds of the credibility of your explanation), or 
• your experiences are not sufficiently serious to be considered as abuse pursuant to the Immigration Act.

Requirements of the sponsor

To be able to apply for a residence permit on an independent basis, the person to whom you have been married, or who has been your registered partner or cohabitant, must have held a permit that has held out prospects for you of permanent residence in Norway. This means that he or she must be:

• a Norwegian or Nordic citizen who is or will be resident here
• a foreign national who holds a permanent residence permit 
• a foreign national who has been or will be granted legal residence here with a residence permit that can form the basis for a permanent residence permit, or  
• a foreign national who holds a residence permit on the grounds of collective protection.

Application for a residence permit on the basis of abuse

If you are applying for residence on the basis of abuse in a relationship, you can submit your application in your nearest police district. You will be interviewed there before the case is forwarded for processing by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

There are no fees for this kind of application.

Breakdown of the relationship

If you have been granted family immigration with a spouse, registered partner or cohabitant, and the relationship breaks down, you can be granted residence on other grounds. For example, you may apply for family immigration with your own children, or you may be granted residence because you would face unreasonable difficulties in your home country as a result of the breakdown of the relationship.

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.