Norway relaxes border rules for families of residents

Norway on Monday opened its borders to entry for "most family immigrants", meaning family members of Norwegian residents who live outside the EEA countries can now visit.
- A spouse or a partner who is a Norwegian citizen who they they have had a "permanent and established cohabitation relationship" with for at least two years, or if they are expecting a child with them, or someone to whom they are engaged to be married, so long as you are getting married once you arrive in Norway.
- Parents, grandparents, children of any age, grandchildren/great-grandchildren of any age, full siblings, if you are under 18 years old. ¨
They cannot visit a Norwegian boyfriend/girlfriend.
The directorate says that "the relationship between you and your family member must be documented".
That might mean marriage certificates, birth certificates, a lease contract to document cohabitation, or a pregnancy certificate with both parents' names.
Those planning to marry can present documents showing the planned time for marriage, a certificate of no impediment, or receipts from the booking of premises for a wedding party.
The Q&A section for citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA says that they can visit family from June 15th if they have a residence permit for family immigration with a Norwegian citizen or foreign citizen residing in Norway.
Foreigners living in Norway complained that it was unclear whether EU/EEA citizens currently outside Norway could visit family in Norway who were also citizens of the EU/EEA, or whether the relaxation only applied to those visiting Norwegian citizens.
Others complained that the requirement that spouses of Norwegian citizens who live outside the EU/EEA need to obtain a residence permit meant they were in practice still barred from entry as visa application centres were closed in their country.
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.