How do I become a Norwegian citizen from Non-EU Background?

Do you want to move to Norway? Start your journey in this article with our ultimate guide to Norway’s immigration rules and regulations.

Norway is a pretty good place to live and it has quite strict policies about immigration. Norway closed its borders to immigration in 1975. As of December 2020, Norway’s population is 5,3 million. At the beginning of 2021, there were 800,000 people living in Norway who were born elsewhere.

To move to Norway with the intent to live, work, or study, you will need a residence permit unless you are a Norwegian citizen.

What is Application Process for a Norwegian Citizenship?

How do you become a Norwegian citizen? There is an online application process, but the requirements differ for different groups of people. Typically, time spent away from Norway for more than two consecutive months in a calendar year extends the amount of time required for residency by the same amount.

The Department of Immigration (UDI) and the Police are the two authorities responsible for managing the immigration process. While applications take place in person, the process of booking appointments is done online via UDI.

Typically, you have to wait for a minimum of 12 months before you hear a decision on your Norway citizenship application. The countdown starts from the time you hand in your documents to the police station.

Norway’s passport is one of the best in the world for freedom of movement. Norwegian citizens enjoy visa-free or straightforward visa-on-arrival access to 173 countries and territories. 

If you’re a Non-EU citizen and lack any close ties to Norway, then there are practically speaking FOUR ways of immigrating to Norway, and later becoming a Norwegian citizen.

Marry a Norwegian Citizen

You can marry a Norwegian or a non-Norwegian with a residency permit for Norway and immigrate as a family. Norwegian citizen should stay married to you for at least eight years to get permanent residence. You must have lived in Norway for a total of at least three years during the past ten years.

Applicant must complete Norwegian Language and Social Studies lessons and pass the tests.

You must hand in your Criminal Records.

Applicant must currently live in Norway, and intend to live there in the future as well.

Student Visa of Norway

You can apply for a student visa in Norway. Education is completely free in Norway for non-EU students. It’s easy to get a job after graduation and an after eight years you can apply for citizenship. Also, you don’t need to be a citizen to live and work in Norway, you can get a permanent residence permit after three years of legal residence in the country with a work permit.

Before you make up your mind to Study in Norway, Just check either you are eligible for Student Visa in Norway.

Who is eligible for Norway Student Visa?

Study in Norway for Free- Step by Step Guide

How to Apply to a University in NORWAY?

How to Study in Norway for Free?

10 Free Universities in Norway for International Students

You can bring your family (partner and children) after Successful application in Norway.

Job Seeker Visa

Some people can move to Norway as a job seekers. But this is only allowed for a relatively short period. If you don’t manage to find employment during that time, you will have to leave the country, and there is a waiting period before you will be able to return.

Students after graduation, can apply for job seeker visa in Norway.

As per current rules.

Get a full-time job in Norway. You should have a full-time job contract with the Norwegian Pay Role.

Stay for three years and learn Norwegian. Need to clear mandatory hours of training or B2 Level exam clear. You are eligible for PR.

Complete five years of stay, you can apply for citizenship, but clearing the Norwegian exam is mandatory.

Specialist Work Permit

The easiest way to enter Norway is with a specialist work permit. It is also known as a skilled work permit. It requires that you have an education that is in demand in Norway and that you have succeeded with getting a job for which your education is relevant, and with a payment that is in line with normal Norwegian wages for that job. There are minimum salary requirements that depend on the education required for the job. They are updated annually in line with inflation.

At the time of writing, the salary must be at least NOK 428,200 pre-tax if the job requires a master’s degree. If the job requires a bachelor’s degree, a salary of NOK 397,100 per year pre-tax is sufficient. There is an exception when a collective agreement applies.

You would need to learn Norwegian up to the required level and spend eight years continuously in Norway.

You can bring your family (partner and children) after Successful application in Norway.

Applicant must hand in your criminal records. If you have a criminal history, it may affect the time you have to wait to become a citizen or the overall outcome of your application.

Asylum application in Norway

Lastly, you can be granted asylum in Norway. A few thousand people come to Norway every year as asylum seekers. Homosexuals who have a history of harassment and punishments by the government for this, might qualify.

Someone needs protection from persecution or war in their country of origin and did not arrive in any other EU country before seeking asylum in Norway. Some of those who are granted asylum will have their asylum revoked if and when the situation improves in their home countries, but most of them will eventually become citizens. They can apply after having lived in Norway permanently for seven years.

Applicants for Norwegian citizenship must also pass an exam about Norwegian society, laws and history. There are two tests available: one is the social studies and the other is the citizenship test.

Don’t forget to subscribe our blog by entering your email. It really motivates us.