RESIDENCE PERMIT IN NORWAY
According to official statistics, there are about 7 migrants per 1,000 Norwegian citizens. This is one of the highest figures in Europe. Today, Norway is home to just over 5.5 million people. Over the past 50 years, this small northern country has managed to create a stable and developed economy, largely due to the rich natural resources and high technology. The country's social security sector is one of the best in the world.
A residence permit in Norway for foreigners from third countries is a mandatory procedure for legal residence on Norwegian territory for more than 3 months. Of course, for moving and registration of residence permit there must be a justified reason. How to get a residence permit in Norway in 2024 will be discussed in this article.
CONTENTS
How to get a residence permit in Norway
One of the distinctive features of all Scandinavian countries can be safely attributed to the comprehensive development of information technology. Norway is no exception in this regard. Especially for the convenience of potential migrants in the country there is a universal resource of the Department of Foreigners' Affairs UDI, where anyone can find official information about the methods and requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Norway, depending on the purpose and place of residence.
Here you can also submit an application and familiarize yourself with the list of required documents. Of course, you should coordinate your actions with the Norwegian Consulate in your home country. Local authorities grant residence permit to foreigners in case of stay in the country for more than 90 days, after 3 years there is an opportunity to obtain permanent residence, and 7 years of residence in Norway will allow you to get a Norwegian passport.
Ways to get a residence permit in Norway
-
Employment
-
Business
-
Education
-
Family reunification
-
Refugee
-
Medical treatment
Let's highlight the main points of each method of immigration to Norway.
Residence permit in Norway for the purpose of employment
Official work in Norway implies a preliminary search for a vacancy in the Norwegian labor market and signing an employment contract. On this basis, a residence permit is issued, usually for a period of 1-3 years. Some short-term jobs (up to 3 months) in certain professions do not require a residence permit.
For example, this applies to doctors, employees of international companies, athletes and journalists. Residence permits in Norway for foreigners are mainly related to seasonal work on oil platforms and fish factories or in agriculture. The term of consideration of applications in the area of 2-3 weeks.
Residence permit in Norway for doing business
Foreign entrepreneurs have the right to register a company in Norway and obtain a residence permit for the purpose of running a business. Unlike Europeans, citizens from third countries will have to fulfill a number of requirements.
For example, the business must necessarily have a long-term nature, the projected profit is not less than 25 thousand euros per year, a foreigner has the right to work only in his company in a position requiring high qualifications, which is confirmed by a diploma or professional experience. The period of consideration of the application can reach from 2 to 12 months.
Residence permit in Norway for students
Foreign students have the right to receive higher education in one of the Norwegian universities absolutely free of charge and for studies longer than 3 months will need to obtain a residence permit. The compulsory student fee is about 60 euros per semester.
Much more significant expenses are related to housing and food. Norway is a very expensive country. For these purposes, a minimum of 1,000 euros per month will be required. Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week and full time during vacations. Application processing time is 4-6 weeks.
Residence permit in Norway for the purpose of family reunification
Family immigration implies moving to Norway close relatives of a Norwegian citizen or a foreigner with a residence permit in this country. The following categories of persons can take advantage of this right:
-
Spouses and registered partners, in the case of same-sex marriages;
-
fiancés/fiancées who intend to marry within the next 6 months;
-
cohabitants, in the case of cohabitation for at least 2 years or waiting for the birth of a common child;
-
children under 18 years of age, sometimes older. For example, unmarried children between 18 and 21 years of age who have previously lived in Norway for several years and are dependent or children of any age in case of serious health problems;
-
Dependent parents over 60 years of age;
-
other relatives, in special circumstances.
The main requirements for applicants for family reunification in Norway are:
-
financial security to support family members, in 2024 at a rate of at least NOK 320,274 (about 28.3 thousand euros) per year;
-
the foreigner must not have received social benefits in Norway in the last 12 months;
-
the couple must have a clear intention to continue living together in Norway;
-
sufficient living space to accommodate their relatives.
The processing time for applications for residence permit in Norway for family immigration usually does not exceed 2 months.
Residence permit in Norway for refugees
Persons who are persecuted in their country or fear the occurrence of such actions in the future, have the opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Norway. An obligatory condition here is the independent arrival on the Norwegian territory or border and the submission of an appropriate application.
Applications for asylum from citizens of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, Armenia and several other states are considered under an accelerated procedure within 2-3 weeks. In other cases, the period may stretch for several months.
Residence permit in Norway for medical treatment
Foreigners who wish to undergo a long-term course of treatment in one of the medical institutions of Norway, are obliged to obtain a corresponding residence permit on this basis. The maximum period of validity of the document can not exceed 1 year. Together with the person who requires assistance, the residence permit is obtained by the accompanying person.
The main requirements:
-
prior agreement with a treatment facility in Norway;
-
ability to pay the cost of treatment in full at their own expense; confirmation from the medical institution of the fact that the treatment of the foreigner will not affect the deterioration of similar services for local residents;
-
absence of a travel ban to Norway or other Schengen countries;
-
the period of treatment must not last more than 1 year;
-
obligation to leave Norwegian territory after the expiration of the residence permit.
What gives a residence permit in Norway
-
Despite the fact that Norway is not part of the European Union, the country is a member of the Schengen Agreement, so the holder of a residence permit has the right to visa-free visits to the states of this zone.
-
The opportunity to receive quality and free higher education.
-
Employment with a high level of salary.
-
The right to develop business in a country where private property is respected and laws are in force.
-
In a relatively short period of time (3 years) it is possible to obtain permanent residence, and after another 4 years and Norwegian citizenship.