On 17 March 2025, UDI received instructions from the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion (external website) stating that stateless persons may apply for Norwegian citizenship after three years.
Previously, UDI required stateless persons to meet the five-year residency requirement for a permanent residence permit before applying for Norwegian citizenship. This meant that most stateless persons had to wait five years before they could apply.
What has changed?
The new instruction states that a stateless person without a permanent residence permit can apply for citizenship after three years. They do not need to meet the five-year residency requirement but must meet the three-year requirement and fulfil all other requirements for a permanent residence permit.
How does this affect you?
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I do not have a permanent residence permit
If you have a temporary residence permit, you can now apply for citizenship after three years.
To apply for citizenship, you must meet these requirements, except the five-year residency requirement for a permanent residence permit:
You do not need to apply for a permanent residence permit before applying for citizenship.
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I have a permanent residence permit
If you already have a permanent residence permit, this change in residency requirement does not affect you.
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I am applying for a permanent residence permit
If you are applying for a permanent residence permit, this change in residency requirement does not affect you.
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I am stateless and born in Norway
If you are stateless and were born in Norway, this change in residency requirement does not affect you.
Read about the requirements for citizenship if you are stateless and born in Norway.