You will have to satisfy the requirements for a permanent residence permit on the day when we process your application for citizenship

This stipulation differs from the rules that apply if you also have an application for a permanent residence permit with UDI. The rules below apply if you apply for a permanent residence permit after 1 September 2025:

  • If you apply for a permanent residence permit, it is sufficient that the income requirement is met on the date you submit your application (that is, the day you meet with the police and hand in the documents). The income requirement, which applies for the last twelve months, will then be calculated from the application date for the permanent residence permit and twelve months back in time. The other requirements for permanent residence must be met when UDI processes your application.
  • If you do not have a permanent residence permit and have not applied for one, all the requirements for permanent residence, including the income requirement, must be met on the date a decision is reached concerning your citizenship application (that is, the day UDI processes your citizenship application). The income requirement, which applies for the last twelve months, will then be calculated from the date UDI processes the citizenship application (the decision date), and twelve months back in time.

In our experience, we find that many applicants who meet the requirements for a permanent residence permit on the day they submit their application for Norwegian citizenship no longer meet the requirements on the day that we process their applications for Norwegian citizenship.

The waiting time for applications for Norwegian citizenship can be long, and an applicant’s status can change during this time. For example, we experience that many applicants no longer fulfil the income requirement when we process their citizenship application, and consequently, their application is rejected.

Relevant examples include:

  • You had enough income in the twelve months before you submitted your application for Norwegian citizenship, but your level of income no longer fulfils the requirement when your application is processed.
  • You were a school pupil or student during the two semesters immediately prior to submitting your application for Norwegian citizenship, but not during the two semesters before your application is processed by UDI.
  • You were under 25 years of age and taking part in primary or secondary education (with juvenile rights) for two semesters when you applied for Norwegian citizenship, but you are too old to qualify for juvenile rights when the time comes for UDI to process your application.
  • You were younger than 18 years and not subject to the income requirements when you applied for Norwegian citizenship, but you are 18 years of age at the time UDI processes your application. Consequently, the income requirement has come into effect. 
  • You were under 18 and did not have to take the tests in Norwegian and social studies when you applied for Norwegian citizenship, but you turned 18 when UDI processes your application. You must then take the tests in Norwegian and social studies to meet the requirements for permanent residence.