Documenting legal residence while you are waiting for a residence card
The waiting time for your residence card may be long
When you are granted a residence permit in Norway, you will get a residence card documenting that you have legal residence and whether you have the right to work in Norway. It is stated on the residence card if you have restricted access to work. After you have been granted a residence permit, it may take some time to receive the residence card by post. Many people who have applied from Norway do not need to meet with the police to order a residence card. People who have applied abroad must meet with the police to order a residence card. Several police districts have a long waiting time for booking appointments. In addition, the actual production of the residence card and sending it by post may take some time.
You can show the decision letter to the employer or public agencies
Residence cards are the best way to document legal residence and the right to work. But you can also present your decision letter or confirmation from UDI or the police. You will receive your decision letter either in Digipost or by post shortly after the decision is made. The decision letter will state what rights you have. If you have applied from Norway, it will also state the period for which the decision applies.
Employers or government agencies can ask UDI if you have legal residence
Other public agencies or employers also have the opportunity to check whether you have legal residence and the right to work by contacting UDI. Many public agencies have access to this information through their systems, and if not, they can contact UDI via this contact form. Employers who want to know whether an employee has the right to work can also contact the UDI via this contact form.
Information if you have applied from abroad
If you have been granted a residence permit that gives you the right to work, you can start working when you have met with the police, and the police have ordered a residence card for you.
There can be long waiting times with the police to order a residence card. Even if you have not yet received a residence card, you can start studying or working now if you have been granted a residence permit that gives you the right to study or work, and you have booked an appointment with the police to order a residence card. This will not have any consequences for you.
If it is impossible to book an appointment with the police, you must contact UDI by phone or email to report that you are in Norway and starting to study or work. You must still meet with the police to order a residence card when possible.
Documentation of legal residence when travelling abroad
When it comes to travelling abroad for those of you who are from a country outside the EU/EEA and who live in Norway, there is generally no other way to document legal residence in Norway than through a residence card. If you travel abroad without a valid residence card, you do so at your own risk. You may then experience problems at the border control into Schengen/Norway or at an ID check in another Schengen country. In other words, you may have difficulties travelling back to Norway after your stay abroad.
Unfortunately, UDI cannot give you any confirmation of legal residence that you can use to travel abroad.
You can read more about the requirement for a valid residence card when travelling abroad here.