Have applied Citizenship
Questions and answers
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How to submit new documentation
If you have new documentation which is important for your application, you can send it to the UDI.
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What happens to your application while you wait?
- Once you have submitted your application documents to the police, your case will be forwarded to the UDI. The time this takes differs according to which police district you live in. You can ask the police how long it will take. When the UDI receives your application, you will be notified by email or SMS.
- The application is now waiting to be processed by the UDI. Every month you will receive a confirmation by email or SMS which shows that your application is still in the queue.
- The case officers consider the cases in the order in which they are received. When your application is at the front of the queue, a case officer will be assigned to you, and he/she will make a decision in your case.
- When the UDI has made a decision, we will notify you. If you have given someone power-of-attorney, this person will always be notified, and must inform you.
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How long do you have to wait for an answer to your application?
Please go to our guide to waiting time for citizenship applications.
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What do you need to remember after you have handed in your application
Please renew your permit if you do not hold a permanent residence permit.
- Your residence permit must be valid both when you apply for Norwegian citizenship and throughout the period when your application is being processed.
- Applying for Norwegian citizenship does not mean that you have a valid permit to stay in Norway. If you do not have a permanent residence permit, it is therefore very important that you renew the residence permit you have in the normal manner no more than one month before it expires.
- If you do not hold a valid residence permit when the UDI makes a decision in your case, you risk having your application rejected.
Please notify us if you change your postal address.
In order for your decision to reach you as soon as possible, it is important that you notify us if you change your postal address from the one you stated in your application.
Please notify us if your situation changes
You must notify the UDI if something happens in your life that may have a bearing on your application for Norwegian citizenship.
This could for example be that
- you plan to travel abroad, for example to work or study
- you no longer live with or are married to the person named as your cohabitant/spouse in your application.
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How will you receive a reply to your application?
- Once your application has been considered, we will send you a letter. If you have a digital mailbox, you will receive the letter right away.
- If you do not have a digital mailbox, you will receive the letter by post two weeks after your application has been considered. Please ensure that your name is on your letter box.
- If you have authorised someone to represent you in your case, or if you have a lawyer, this person will be notified and must then inform you. It is important that you read the letter and the decision carefully.
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Can your case be moved to the front of the queue?
Many people want to have an answer to their application quickly. However, very special circumstances are required for your case to be moved to the front of the queue.
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What you have to do if you move before your application is processed?
You are registered in the National Registry
You have to report your new address to the National Population Register (external website) as soon as you know you will be moving. The UDI automatically receives your new address from the registry.
You are in Norway, but not registered in the National Registry
If you are in Norway, and you move before your application has been processed, you must notify the police that you are moving no later than one week after you have moved. You can notify the police where you are moving to, or where you lived before.
You are abroad
If you are abroad, and you move before the UDI has processed your application, you must notify the embassy or consulate you applied to. If you fail to do this, you risk not receiving the answer to your application.
Important messages
- Changes in the legislation that may be important for you who apply for citizenship
- The police's Immigration Office is open with limited offers
- Information about the identity clarification programme for Iraqis
- Choose digital mail – receive an answer sooner
- Norway allows dual citizenship from 1 January 2020
- Ask questions about regulations for citizenship on Facebook
- Somalis who apply for Norwegian citizenship must have a Somali passport
- Have you made plans to travel abroad?