If you have adequate knowledge of Norwegian or Sámi, you do not need to complete the language training or take additional tests before you apply for a permanent residence permit.

You must normally have been granted an exemption from the municipality where you live. 

Have you passed all four parts of the Norwegian exam at a minimum of level A2?

If you have passed all four parts of the Norwegian exam at a minimum of level A2: oral, listening, reading and written presentation, you do not need to ask the muicipality for an exemption. 

You must hand in documents which shows that you have passed the tests to the police together with your other documents when you apply for a permanent residence permit.

Have you previously been given an exemption from the municipality?

If you have previously been given an exemption from the requirement to complete language training and pass tests from the municipality, this exemption is also valid for your application for a permanent residence permit.

You must hand in the exemption decision to the police when you apply for a permanent residence permit.

If you have not been given an exemption previously you must apply for one now

If you have not passed the tests which are described above, or previously been given an exemption from the municipality, you must apply to the municipality for an exemption before you apply for a permanent residence permit.

You can apply to the municipality for an exemption to the requirement to complete language training and pass tests if you have

• passed tests that correspond to the Norwegian exam at level A2 or higher, will be considered Norwegian exam 2 or 3, or
• passed the Bergen test, both the written and oral part, or Step 3 exam from the university, or
• completed ordinary training in Norwegian or Sámi in primary/lower secondary school or upper secondary school and been given a final assessment grade, or
• completed Norwegian or Sámi studies at a university or university college in Norway or abroad corresponding to 30 credits, or
• met the admission requirement and been offered admission to studies conducted in Norwegian or Sámi at a university or university college in Norway.

If you have been granted an exemption by the municipality, you must hand in the exemption decision to the police when you apply for a permanent residence permit.  

You have adequate knowledge if you have:

• passed all four parts of Norskprøven for voksne innvandrere by Kompetanse Norge (formerly called VOX) at level A2, B1 or B2: reading test, listening test, test in written presentation and oral test, or
• passed both of Skills Norway's (Kompetanse Norges) subtests of the Norwegian test C1: "lytteprøve og skriftlig fremstilling" and "leseprøve og muntlig kommunikasjon", or
• passed the oral and written Norskprøve 2 or 3, Språkprøven i norsk for voksne innvandrere, or Språkprøven i norsk for fremmedspråklige voksne, with at least 220 points (these tests are no longer completed), or
• completed ordinary education in Norwegian or Sámi in primary or secondary school and obtained a standing grade, or completed module 1 in modular education and vocational training (modulstrukturert fag- og yrkesopplæring (MFY)) and received a certificate of competence showing that the module has been approved, or
• completed studies equivalent to 30 credits in Norwegian or Sámi at the university or university college level in Norway or abroad, or
• met the admission requirements for studies in Norwegian or Sámi at a university or college in Norway.
  
  You have met the admission requirement if you:
  • have passed the oral and written exam, Test in Norwegian - higher level (Bergenstest). If you have taken the written test before the autumn of 2009, you must have gotten at least 450 points. If you have taken the oral test before the autumn of 2009, you must have gotten at least 500 points
  • have passed the Level 3 (Trinn III) exam from the university
  • have passed the oral and written exam in Norwegian VG3, previously called VK2, (third grade of upper secondary school)
  • have reached the age of 25 and have received approved formal, non-formal or informal assessment of real competence  (realkompetansevurdering) in the subject Norwegian on VG3 level
  • have been admitted to a study programme at a university or university college in Norway where the primary language of instruction is Norwegian
  • have completed a study programme instructed in Norwegian

When you apply for citizenship, you must hand in documentation of this to the police together with your other documents. The UDI will assess whether you are exempt from the requirement because you have adequate knowledge of Norwegian when we process your application for citizenship.

The UDI cannot make exceptions from the requirement for language training and tests based on other reasons than those listed here. A statement from a school, employer or other authority that you speak good Norwegian does not give you an exception from the requirements.