What is a residence card?
A residence card is a plastic card which is the size of a credit card. It is your proof that you have a residence permit in Norway.
Unless otherwise stated on the card, it will also show that you have the right to travel freely within the Schengen area. You should therefore bring the card with you when you travel abroad, but you must still always bring your passport. This is because the residence card is not an identity card.
The card is valid for the same period as your residence permit. If you hold a permanent residence permit, the card will be valid for two years.
Among other information the card contains your photo, signature and fingerprints. The fingerprints will only be stored in the card itself.
The residence cards replace the old scheme with residence permit stickers in passports.
You must present the card on request. If you do not have it with you, you may be asked to get it.
Who needs a residence card?
- Everyone who is granted a residence permit (for example a residence permit for students or a family immigration permit) or renew a previous permit needs to get themselves such a card. This is not relevant for EU/EEA nationals.
- Also those with permanent residence permits need to get themselves cards, either when the permit is granted or when the permanent residence sticker in their passport expires.
- EU/EEA nationals do not need cards.
- Family members of EU/EEA nationals who themselves are not EEA nationals will get cards. They will need to apply to get one if they have not already received a letter from the UDI confirming their right of residence in Norway.
If you have a valid sticker in my passport, do you need to get a residence card?
No, the sticker is valid until the expiry date, and you do not need a residence card as long as the sticker is valid. If you renew your permit, you will receive a residence card.
A new arrangement will be introduced later in 2012 for those who wish to replace a valid sticker with a residence card. You can then get a residence card if you pay a fee of NOK 300. Information about when this arrangement is to be introduced will be published on this page.
How do you get yourself a residence card?
When you are granted a residence permit, you will be notified that you need to pay a visit to the police. Not all police offices have equipment for dealing with residence cards. In order to find out which police office to visit, please go to website of your police district. There you will find information or a phone number you can call in order to find out when and where you can go. If you call 02800 (while in Norway) you will get your local police district on the line.
In certain police districts, such as the Oslo police and the Trondheim police, you must book an appointment in advance.
If you previously have used the Application Portal Norway, you can log in there to book the appointment.
- Log in
- Select the relevant application from the list (by clicking the 'penn and paper' button on the right of your current applications)
- Click "Change appointment" in the "Booking Information" section.
- Change your previous booking to a newer date.
Those who already have a permanent residence permit and need to exchange the sticker in their passport for a residence card, cannot book an appointment through the Application Portal Norway.
If you cannot use the Application Portal Norway you must call your local police.
It is not possible to call the UDI to book the appointment.
At the police office you will have your photograph and fingerprints taken, and then the police will order a card for you. It will take up to 10 working days from the date you visited the police until the card is sent to you by mail.
Important information:
- You must make sure that your address is registered correctly and that your name is on your mailbox.
- If you previously have had a residence sticker in your passport, the police will remove this when they order the residence card for you. This means that you will not have a proof of your residence permit during the 10 days before you receive your residence card. If you are travelling out of the country, you should therefore order the card well in advance.
Booking of an appointment for getting a residence card for those who already have a permanent residence permit
Those who have a permanent residence permit need to get themselves a residence card, either when they are granted the permit, or when the permanent residence sticker in their passport expires. The card must be renewed every two years. This replaces the previous scheme with stickers in your passport. If you have a sticker in your passport which is still valid, you wait until a couple of months before the expiration date before you get yourself your first residence card.
In order to get a residence card you must go to the police. In most police districts you need to have an appointment. Please call your local police in order to find out where and when to turn up.
It is not possible to call the UDI to book the appointment.
At the police office you will have your photograph and fingerprints taken, and then the police will order a card for you. It will take up to 10 working days from the date you visited the police until the card is sent to you by mail.
Important information:
- You must make sure that your address is registered correctly and that your name is on your mailbox.
- If you previously have had a residence sticker in your passport, the police will remove this when they order the residence card for you. This means that you will not have a proof of your residence permit during the 10 days before you receive your residence card. If you are travelling out of the country, you should therefore order the card well in advance.
- During the transition to the new system, it might say in the letter you receive when you are granted your residence permit that you should visit the police to get a "sticker in your passport". Please ignore this. Everyone will now get residence cards instead of stickers.
Should EU/EEA nationals get residence cards?
No, EU and EEA nationals will not get residence cards.
If you have right of residence as a family member of an EU/EEA national who lives in Norway, but are not an EU/EEA national yourself, can you get a residence card?
Yes. You who already have a letter from the UDI (an A4 piece of paper) as a proof of your right of residence in Norway on these terms, can now get a residence card.
If you plan to travel abroad, we recommend that you get such a card. It is important to note that it will take up to 10 working days from the date you visited the police until the card is sent to you by mail. You must therefore visit the police in order to have your photograph and fingerprints taken in plenty of time before you are due to travel.
If you have not yet received a letter from the UDI confirming your right of residence in Norway you will need to apply to get a card.
What happens if you lose your card?
If you lose your card, you must notify the police or the closest Norwegian foreign service mission. You will have to visit the police again, and they will order a new card for you. You will have to pay a fee of NOK 300.
More information
You will find more detailed information in our fact sheet.
