Grounds for revocation

Even though you have been issued a temporary residence permit, a permanent residence permit (previously called a settlement permit), refugee status or a travel document, your permit may be revoked at a later time. This can happen if, for example:

• you have provided incorrect information 
• you have withheld information about important circumstances that are relevant to deciding your case 
• you have been granted a permit by stating an incorrect identity 
• you no longer meet the requirements or conditions pursuant to the Immigration Act, the Immigration  Regulations or the decision.

The following are examples of such situations:

• You have a have a temporary residence permit  for family immigration with your spouse or cohabitant,  and you are separated from your spouse or have left your cohabitant.
• You have a temporary residence permit on the basis of access arrangements for a child, and you  no longer use your access rights to the child because of whom you were granted a residence permit. 
• You have visited a country you are not allowed to visit due to your refugee status.

What happens if your permit is revoked?

Revocation of a residence permit means that you must leave Norway, unless you satisfy the requirements for being granted another type of permit.

Revocation of a permanent residence permit (settlement permit) means that you no longer have the rights that this permit confers. In such case, you must apply for a temporary residence permit. Without a permanent residence permit, your protection against being expelled by the authorities is also weaker.

Revocation of refugee status means that you lose the special rights this status entails. You must also return you travel document to the police.

If you provided incorrect information that formed the basis for granting you a residence permit, we can revoke your residence permit and refugee status. In such cases, you must leave Norway.

Revocation of travel documents means that your travel document will be revoked, and you must hand it in to the police.

What are the steps in the process?

It is the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) that makes decisions concerning revocation. If we believe that there are grounds for revoking your permit, we will, as a rule, inform you of this, so that you have an opportunity, within three weeks, to state your point of view before we make a decision.

You also have right of appeal in relation to a revocation decision. If the decision means that you must leave Norway, you do not have to leave until the decision is final, i.e. when an appeal has been considered by the UDI or the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE). UNE considers appeals that are not reversed by the UDI.

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.

Read the answers to the most frequentley asked questions about family immigration.