Citizens of other countries can apply to become citizens of Norway after living in the country for seven years.Unless you are a citizen of the EU, you need a permanent residence permit to apply for citizenship.The Norwegian people are proud of their language and culture, and this is reflected in the fact that you need to study and pass tests in Norwegian social studies before you can become a citizen of the country.
Step 1: You have to have a valid residency permit for at least 3 years.
You can apply for permanent residency if you have lived in Norway for at least 3 years with a residence permit.Residency permits are usually granted for work or study.If you are a spouse or unmarried partner cohabiting with a Norwegian national who works in aNorwegian embassy or consulate, they are exempt from the residency requirement.If you are an EU national, you can get permanent residency in Norway after 5 years of living there.You need to provide proof that you have been living legally in the country for at least 5 years.
Step 2: Become proficient in the language.
If you want to become a permanent resident of the country, you must be proficient in the national language.There are free online courses in Norwegian.You can learn Norwegian for free, or you can pay for commercial courses or private tutoring.There are additional language resources at https://www.kompetansenorge.no/English/Immigrant-integration.
Step 3: Norwegian language and social studies tests are available.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 55, you need to pass an oral test in Norwegian at a minimum level of A1 to take a Norwegian social studies test.The Norwegian language test can be found at https://www.kompetansenorge.no/norwegian-language-test/.You can register to take the test in the summer or winter on this page.There are links to study materials on the page.If you want to take the social studies test, you have to go to www.kompetansenorge.no.
Step 4: Your criminal record should not be a concern.
You can't have criminal convictions if you live in Norway for 3 years before applying for permanent residency.If you were ordered into treatment, you won't be eligible for permanent residency.You can become a permanent resident of Norway even if you have a conviction.You may have to wait at least 3 years after the date of conviction before you can apply.
Step 5: You can register at the application portal.
The online application portal is used by most applicants to complete their application for permanent residency.To create a user account, go to selfservice.udi.no.You can fill out an application, submit forms, book appointments, and check the status of your application from your user account on the Application Portal.
Step 6: You have supported yourself.
For permanent residency to be granted, applicants must have met the minimum income requirements for the previous year.This amount was almost identical to the year before.The minimum income requirements will be listed on your application.Prior to submitting your application, you cannot have received any social security payments.
Step 7: Pay the permit fees.
There is a permanent residence application fee for adults.There is no fee for children under the age of 18.The latest application fees and method of payment can be found on the UDI website.You can pay your fees online using Visa or Mastercard if you completed and submitted your application online.Before you submit your application, make sure you review your responses to all the questions.You won't be able to change anything once you've clicked through to the payment screen.
Step 8: The police station is where you should take your documents.
You can make an appointment to hand in the supporting documents at your local police station once you've submitted your application.To get a list of the documents you're required to bring with you to your appointment, go to www.udi.no/en/checklists-container/citizenship-travel-permanent/ and answer a few questions about your application.
Step 9: Wait for a message.
The review process will begin after you submit your application.It takes 3-6 months to process an application for permanent residence.If more information is required, you may be contacted.You can find out how long it will take for your application to be processed by answering a few questions.You can appeal the decision if your application is denied.Your notification will include information on how to appeal.
Step 10: Call the police station to make an appointment.
If your application for permanent residency has been approved, you need to go to the nearest police station to get your permanent resident card.Your fingerprints and photo will be taken by the police.If you have an account at the Application Portal, you can book an appointment online.You can call the police station if you have problems setting up an appointment online.You can't book an appointment through UDI.
Step 11: You can get your residence card in the mail.
When it's ready, your card will be mailed to you.It will take at least 10 days to arrive.Before you leave the country, you should leave plenty of time to get your residence card.You may have difficulty when you return.Your residence card isn't considered proof of identity even though it has your photo on it.You have to carry your passport when traveling outside of Norway.
Step 12: It will take at least 7 years to live in Norway.
The first condition you must meet to be eligible for Norwegian citizenship is the period of stay.For at least 7 years, most applicants must live in Norway.Some special groups of applicants, such as spouses of Norwegian nationals, athletes, or members ofNorwegian nationals living abroad on foreign service missions at a Norwegian embassy or consulate, are exceptions.Your period of stay is not interrupted when you visit outside the country.Your period of stay starts over if you are outside the country for more than 2 months in a year.
Step 13: While living in Norway, keep a clean criminal record.
To become a citizen of Norway, you must be able to prove that you have not had criminal convictions or been ordered to have mental health treatment.You can still get Norwegian citizenship if you have a criminal conviction.You have to wait.The length of your waiting period can be determined by the sanction imposed on you after your conviction.
Step 14: Your identity should be clarified.
Before you can be eligible for citizenship, the Norwegian government must confirm your identity.You have to provide a valid passport from your home country.Other documents, such as a birth certificate, may be used if you no longer have a passport.Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia are not considered reliable by Norway.The governments of these countries are not stable.There are additional steps needed to confirm your identity if you come from such a country.
Step 15: The A2 level is where you can take an oral Norwegian test.
To become a citizen of Norway, you must be proficient in the Norwegian language.If you passed the Norwegian test for permanent residency at the A1 level, you need to take it again to get to A2 level.If you passed the oral Norwegian test at the A2 level, you don't have to take it again.The Skills Norway website has information about the language test.
Step 16: If you pass the Norwegian citizenship test, you can become a Norwegian citizen.
You were allowed to take the social studies test in a language of your choice when you took it for permanent residency.If you took the test in your own language, you need to take it again in Norwegian to get citizenship.Information about the citizenship test can be found on the Skills Norway website.If you passed the Norwegian citizenship test, you don't have to take it again when you apply for citizenship.
Step 17: Your application needs to be completed.
You can apply for citizenship online at the UDI's application portal.You can use the same account to apply for citizenship if you already registered with the Application Portal.Click through to complete the citizenship application forms once you log onto your user account.Make sure your answers are thorough and detailed.Your application will be accepted if the fields marked with a yellow star are completed.
Step 18: The application fee is paid by you.
There is a fee for a citizenship application.The most current application fees can be found on the UDI website.There are no fees for children under the age of 18.If you use a Visa or Mastercard, you can pay your application fee at the same time.You can't make changes to your application online if you click the "go to payment" button.If you make a mistake, you can correct it at the police station.
Step 19: The police station is where you can get your documentation.
You can turn in all the required documents at the police station nearest you after you submit your application.Documentation usually includes your birth certificate, marriage or partnership certificates, passport, tax return, police background check, and test results for your language and social studies tests.To get a list of documents you must bring with you, go to the website and answer the questions.
Step 20: Wait for the answer to the application.
After all supporting documentation is received, the UDI will begin processing your application.You may be asked to submit additional documentation to support your application.You can get an estimate of the processing time for your application by going to the website and answering the questions.You can appeal the decision if your application is rejected.Your notification of the UDI's decision will include information about the appeal process.
Step 21: You can pick up your citizenship decision from an appointment.
If the UDI grants you citizenship, you can pick up your papers at the police station nearest you.You have to pick up your citizenship decision in person within 3 months.You can apply for a Norwegian passport once you get your citizenship decision papers.Take the notification letter with you to the police station, along with your passport and permanent residence card.
Step 22: Renunciation of your former citizenship.
In Norway, dual citizenship is not allowed.If you want to become a Norwegian citizen, you have to give up your citizenship.To find out what steps are required to do this, go to your home country's embassy or consulate.The government wants to allow dual citizenship.If a law is passed, you can become a Norwegian citizen.If a law was passed, this rule wouldn't change until 2019.
Step 23: Take part in the ceremony.
You will receive an invitation to a citizenship ceremony once you are granted citizenship.The ceremony is a special event for most new citizens.You are still a Norwegian citizen if you don't participate in the ceremony.