Losing a permanent residence permit
Reasons why you can lose a permanent residence permit
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You have stayed abroad for too long
You cannot stay abroad for more than two years
You can lose your permanent residence permit if you stay abroad for too long.
- You cannot stay abroad for a continuous period of two years or more.
- You cannot have several stays that total two years or more during a four-year period.
- Stays lasting less than two months per calendar year are not deemed to constitute stays abroad in this context.
- If you stay in Norway for a continuous period of 15 months, you can stay abroad for a new period of up to two years.
You can apply to keep the permanent residence permit
If you are going to stay outside Norway for more than two years and wish to keep your permanent residence permit, you must apply for this.
Exemption for those who have been abused in a relationship
In very special circumstances you can keep the permanent residence permit even if you have stayed abroad for two years or more. You must fill these four requirements:
- You must previously have had a residence permit in Norway for family immigration with a spouse, partner or cohabitant.
- You have, against your will, been unable to return to Norway
- You, or your child, have been a victim of domestic abuse. By abuse we mean that you are a victim of physical or psychological violence
- Your relationship with your spouse or cohabitant must now be finished.
You must contact Norwegian authorities as soon as this is practically possible after you were unable to return against your will, and give information about your situation.
The exemption does not cover children who, against their will, have been unable to return or unmarried persons over the age of 18 who have been kept from returning by their parents or others.
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You have provided incorrect information
If, during the application process, you have provided incorrect/incomplete information, or if you have intentionally withheld important information, and this was very important to the decision to grant your application, we can revoke your permanent residence permit.
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You have refugee status and you are convicted of a serious criminal offence
If you are convicted of a serious criminal offence in Norway or abroad, you can lose your residence permit and be expelled from Norway. This also applies if we learn that you have committed war crimes.
The UDI considers whether you will be expelled and lose your refugee status.
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You have refugee status and have travelled to your home country
If you have refugee status and voluntarily have travelled to your home country, the UDI will consider whether you will lose your residence permit. We will then assess the reason why you travelled to your home country to determine what will happen to your residence permit.
When the UDI considers whether you will lose your permanent residence permit, we always consider if you can be granted a different kind of residence permit.
If you lose your permanent residence permit, but you are not granted a new residence permit on other grounds, you must leave Norway.
This happens when we consider if you will lose your permanent residence permit:
- You will receive a letter that explains that we are consider if you will lose your permanent residence permit. The letter will explain why we are considering this.
- In the letter you will also be informed that you have the right to explain your situation. You will be informed how to do this. You may be assisted by a lawyer.
- In some cases, the UDI or the police will have a conversation with you where you will explain yourself. If you are summoned to a conversation, we recommend that you show up.
- You will get the costs for a lawyer covered, but you have to find the lawyer yourself. You can for example use one of the lawyers on the UDI’s list of lawyers.
- If we decide that you are going to lose your residence permit, you can appeal to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) (external website).