The requirements for permanent residence must be met when your application is processed

If you have not been granted or applied for a permanent residence permit when you apply for Norwegian citizenship, you must meet all the requirements for permanent residence on the day UDI processes your application and makes a formal decision.

This includes, for example, the income requirement. The twelve-month period will be counted backwards from the date you submitted your citizenship application. If you have applied for a permanent residence permit, the twelve-month period will be counted backwards from the date you submitted that application.

Make sure you meet the requirements when your application is processed

The waiting time can be long, and your situation may change while you wait. Many applicants meet the requirements for permanent residence when they submit their citizenship application, but not when UDI makes a formal decision, and they therefore receive a rejection.

Situations that may lead to rejection
  • You had enough income in the twelve months before you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you have a lower income or no income.
  • You were in school the last two semesters before submitting your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you have not been a pupil or student for the last two semesters.
  • You were under 25 and taking part in lower or upper secondary education with youth rights when you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you are over 25 and no longer have youth rights.
  • You were under 18 and not required to have an income when you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you are over 18 and must support yourself.
  • You were under 18 and not required to pass tests in Norwegian and social studies when you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you are over 18 and must meet these test requirements for permanent residence.