If you apply for a family immigration permit, it is a requirement that the person in Norway can support you financially and has had an income above a certain level in the past and will have so in the future.

If the person in Norway does not fulfill the income criteria, the application will most likely be rejected.

However, if you are a EU/EEA citizen, a family member of a EU/EEA citizen, a student or a skilled worker, you have the option of applying for another kind of permit instead of a family immigration permit.

Skilled workers

If you fulfill the criteria for skilled workers, you can apply for a skilled workers residence permit independently.

Advantages (compared to applying for a family immigration permit):

• There is no income requirement for the person in Norway.
• The permit will not be affected if the relationship between you and the person in Norway breaks down.
• The case processing time is generally shorter than for family immigration permits.
• If you wish, you can apply for a family immigration permit at a later time.

Disadvantages (compared to applying for a family immigration permit):

• You must work full-time.
• You must have a skilled job in the profession you are trained in, and which fulfill certain criteria with regards to income and working conditions. (Those who are granted a family immigration permit can take any kind of job, and can work part time.)

Students

If you are going to study in Norway and fulfill the criteria for a residence permit for studies in Norway, you can apply for a residence permit as a student instead of a family immigration permit.

Advantages (compared to applying for a family immigration permit):

• There is no income requirement for the person in Norway.
• The permit will not be affected if the relationship between you and the person in Norway breaks down.
• The case processing time is generally shorter than for family immigration permits.
• If you wish, you can apply for a family immigration permit at a later time.

Disadvantages (compared to applying for a family immigration permit):

• You must study full time.
• A student permit does not form a basis for a permanent residence permit.

EEA/EU citizens

If you are an EU/EEA citizen and are a worker/job seeker, a student or you have sufficient funds, you can register in Norway instead of applying for a residence permit/family immigration permit.

• Advantages (compared to applying for a family immigration permit):
  You can move to Norway and start working or looking for work straight away.
• Short case processing time (You must book an appointment with the police to hand in documentation and receive your registration certificate, but you can work and live in Norway in the meantime.
• No application fee.
• If you wish, you can apply for a family immigration permit at a later time, if your spouse is a Norwegian or Nordic citizen or have a permit which forms a basis for a permanent residence permit.
  

Disadvantages (compared to applying for a family immigration permit):

• Registration does not form a basis for a permanent residence permit. However, you can keep living and working in Norway as a registered EU/EEA citizen as long as you have a job in Norway, are a student or have sufficient funds.
• You do not have the rights described in the Introduction law

Third country citizens – family members of EU/EEA citizens

If you are a third country citizen (from a country outside the EU/EEA) and are a family member of an EU/EEA citizen who is registered in Norway or are a Nordic citizen (not a Norwegian) you can apply for a residence card.

If you are a third country citizen and a family member of a Norwegian citizen and you have been settled in another EU/EEA country, you can also apply for a residence card.

Advantages (compared to applying for a family immigration permit):

• The case processing time is generally shorter than for family immigration permits.
• No application fee.
• If you wish, you can apply for a family immigration permit at a later time, if your spouse is a Norwegian or Nordic citizen or have a permit which forms a basis for a permanent residence permit.
• The person in Norway does not have to document that they fulfill the income criteria (that their income is higher than 88 per cent of salary grade 19 in the pay scale for Norwegian state employees), but he or she must document that he or she is settled in Norway as a worker, student or that they have sufficient funds.

Disadvantages(compared to applying for a family immigration permit):

• A residence card does not form a basis for a permanent residence permit. However, after five years you can apply for a permanent right of residence.
• You do not have the rights described in the Introduction law.