No requirement for the reference person’s income last year

As reference person, you do not need to have had any income last year.

How much must the reference person earn now?

As reference person, you must have a total income of at least 

. It must be probable that you are going to continue having this income for at least another year. You may later be asked to document that you had this income the first year your family member was in Norway.

Types of income counting towards the reference person’s future income

• income from employment
• sickness benefit, pregnancy benefit, parental support, disability benefit or retirement pension from the National Insurance Scheme (folketrygden)
• other permanent pensions or periodical benefits (insurance payments or similar)
• loans or grants received in connection with studies
• If the applicant is already in lawful employment in Norway, the applicant's income can be included in order to meet the requirement.

As reference person, you can have one or more of the above types of income.

Types of income not counting towards the reference person’s future income

• financial assistance from NAV (økonomisk sosialhjelp)
• housing support
• unemployment benefit and work assessment allowance (Arbeidsavklarings­penger (AAP)) (this is also the case if you were temporarily laid off (permittert) due to the corona situation. We will publish information here if the rules regarding this change.)
• any benefits you receive because you have children
• lump sum grant in connection with birth
• own funds (money in an account)