Documentation showing that tuition pursuant to the Introduction Act has been completed must be enclosed with the application for a permanent residence permit. Pursuant to the Introduction Act, foreign nationals between the ages of 16 and 55 who, after 1 September 2005, were granted a first work or residence permit that forms the basis for a permanent residence permit have a right and obligation to complete 300 hours of free tuition in the Norwegian or Sami language and social studies.
Tuition taken at the following education centres is approved:
- Municipal adult education centres,
- Tuition providers who have signed agreements with the municipality,
- An adult educational association or web school that is approved pursuant to the Adult Education Act,
- Folk high schools that are approved pursuant to the Act relating to folk high schools,
- Universities and university colleges that are approved pursuant to the Norwegian Universities and University Colleges Act, or
- Private providers approved by the Norwegian Agency for Lifelong Learning (VOX).
If the tuition in Norwegian and social studies has been taken at a municipal adult education centre, you must enclose a certificate of participation from the municipality.
The municipality is not obliged to register the tuition in Norwegian if it is provided by an approved provider. In such case, you must present documentation from the provider showing that you have completed 250 hours of tuition in Norwegian. Tuition in social studies is only provided by the municipalities. Therefore, you must also present documentation from the municipality that you have completed 50 hours of mandatory tuition in social studies.
All participants who receive tuition from a private provider on assignment for a municipality shall be registered by the municipality in the National Introduction Register (NIR).
If you are exempt from taking tuition, the decision by the municipality must be documented.
You can apply for exemption from the requirement for tuition in Norwegian. The individual municipality decides whether you qualify for exemption from tuition in Norwegian.
