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.