What are the key benefits of Norway’s family immigration permit?
When moving to Norway, you may need a residence permit to live and work there legally. Norway’s family immigration permit has several advantages that may make it a more attractive proposition than other types of residence.
The majority of those from outside the European Economic Area will need a residence permit to live in Norway legally. However, if you are an EEA national, it’s relatively straightforward due to being able to live and work in Norway freely. The only paperwork that will be required is registering with the police.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for more than one permit. For example, when moving to be with a partner or family member, you may qualify for both a work permit and a family immigration residence card.
In many cases, the family immigration permit may be best as it comes with several benefits that other types of residence may not.
What is the family immigration permit?
Spouses, cohabitants, fiancées, children, parents and other family members of residents in Norway may be eligible to apply for family immigration or family reunification permits from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
In other articles, we’ve covered the rules for family and partners in more depth. You can check those out below.
READ MORE:
- What are the rules for moving to Norway to be with a partner?
- What are the rules for moving to Norway to be with family?
- Why your Norwegian family immigration application may be rejected and how to avoid it
Career freedom
When moving to Norway, many may find themselves in a position where they qualify for both a work permit and a family immigration permit, but they aren’t sure which one is best.
When granted a family immigration permit, you have the right to live and work in Norway. And unlike a work permit, you may have more career freedom. This is because you will not need a job relevant to your qualifications.
Additionally, those with temporary work permits need to reapply when moving into a job that’s a different position to the one you were granted a permit for, even if it’s with the same employer. Those with a family immigration permit aren't required to reapply when switching jobs.
This makes changing your job or career in Norway a lot more hassle-free than with a work permit.
Free language lessons
You may be entitled to free Norwegian language lessons when granted a family immigration permit in Norway.
Those who are the family members of those with permanent residence, or the family member of a Norwegian or a citizen of another Nordic country (except those that have a residence permit as a family member on the grounds of the EEA freedom of movement regulations) can get up to 600 hours of language and social studies tuition based on their residence.
Quicker road to citizenship
Yes. As briefly outlined above, several factors can affect how long you must spend in Norway before becoming a citizen.
For those that are a registered partner, cohabitant, or spouse of a Norwegian citizen, then the residence length is five out of the last ten years.
One caveat is that your combined residence and marriage period will need to have been at least seven years. This means you will have to have already been married for at least a couple of years to be eligible for Norwegian citizenship after five years of residence.
Those who aren’t married can include the time they have lived with their partner to the combined marriage and residence requirement. Furthermore, time spent living together or abroad can count towards the residence requirement.
READ ALSO: How long does it take to get Norwegian citizenship?
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The majority of those from outside the European Economic Area will need a residence permit to live in Norway legally. However, if you are an EEA national, it’s relatively straightforward due to being able to live and work in Norway freely. The only paperwork that will be required is registering with the police.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for more than one permit. For example, when moving to be with a partner or family member, you may qualify for both a work permit and a family immigration residence card.
In many cases, the family immigration permit may be best as it comes with several benefits that other types of residence may not.
What is the family immigration permit?
Spouses, cohabitants, fiancées, children, parents and other family members of residents in Norway may be eligible to apply for family immigration or family reunification permits from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
In other articles, we’ve covered the rules for family and partners in more depth. You can check those out below.
READ MORE:
- What are the rules for moving to Norway to be with a partner?
- What are the rules for moving to Norway to be with family?
- Why your Norwegian family immigration application may be rejected and how to avoid it
Career freedom
When moving to Norway, many may find themselves in a position where they qualify for both a work permit and a family immigration permit, but they aren’t sure which one is best.
When granted a family immigration permit, you have the right to live and work in Norway. And unlike a work permit, you may have more career freedom. This is because you will not need a job relevant to your qualifications.
Additionally, those with temporary work permits need to reapply when moving into a job that’s a different position to the one you were granted a permit for, even if it’s with the same employer. Those with a family immigration permit aren't required to reapply when switching jobs.
This makes changing your job or career in Norway a lot more hassle-free than with a work permit.
Free language lessons
You may be entitled to free Norwegian language lessons when granted a family immigration permit in Norway.
Those who are the family members of those with permanent residence, or the family member of a Norwegian or a citizen of another Nordic country (except those that have a residence permit as a family member on the grounds of the EEA freedom of movement regulations) can get up to 600 hours of language and social studies tuition based on their residence.
Quicker road to citizenship
Yes. As briefly outlined above, several factors can affect how long you must spend in Norway before becoming a citizen.
For those that are a registered partner, cohabitant, or spouse of a Norwegian citizen, then the residence length is five out of the last ten years.
One caveat is that your combined residence and marriage period will need to have been at least seven years. This means you will have to have already been married for at least a couple of years to be eligible for Norwegian citizenship after five years of residence.
Those who aren’t married can include the time they have lived with their partner to the combined marriage and residence requirement. Furthermore, time spent living together or abroad can count towards the residence requirement.
READ ALSO: How long does it take to get Norwegian citizenship?
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