How do I get my residence card when I applied from Norway?

A residence card serves as a confirmation that you have a residence permit in Norway.

  • You will receive your new residence card in the post.
  • It will take up to 20 days to receive your residence card by post. The name of everyone in the family must be on your letterbox. The post office will not deliver the residence card if the person's name is not on the letterbox. In such case, the residence card will be returned to the police.
  • Please note that if you are an EU/EEA citizen, you are not required to have a residence card.
  • If your residence card is lost or damaged, you must order a new card.

Who does not need to go to the police station to order a residence card?

If you applied from Norway and personally handed your application in to the police AND the police registered your biometrics (i.e. took your fingerprints and a photo), you do not need to go to the police to order a residence card. 

You will receive your residence card in the post within 3 weeks. You do not need to do anything else to be sent your residence card. 

You are required to show your residence card if asked to do so by the police or other authorities. This could happen, for example, at a border crossing or in other circumstances where identity inspection is carried out. You have a duty to take care of your card and to report its loss it if it goes missing. 

If you have a Norwegian immigrant's passport (utlendingspass) or a refugee travel document (reisebevis for flyktninger), you will still need to book an appointment with the police in order to turn in the old document. 

You must make an appointment to obtain a residence permit if:

  • you applied from outside Norway.
  • you have an expired Norwegian immigrant's passport or refugee travel document which you have not turned in to the police already.
  • your application was submitted by another person granted authority to act on your behalf (power of attorney). In such case, you must book an appointment for yourself to obtain a residence card. 
  • you applied for residency in accordance with the Brexit regulations. You will receive notification that you need to book an appointment after the processing of your application has been completed.
  • it was with the police that you first applied for protection. The police will invite you in for an appointment. You do not have to book an appointment yourself. 

How do I book an appointment with the police?

Booking an appointment online 

Booking an appointment by phone

  • If you did not fill out an application online when you applied for a residence permit, you need to call your local police to book an appointment. You cannot book an appointment by calling UDI. 

What do I need to do to receive my residence card by post?

  • Make sure the names of everyone in the family are on your letterbox. Otherwise, the post office will not deliver the residence card and it will be returned to the police.
  • If you are a new postal recipient in Norway, fill out this form and hand it in at a post office or in-store post office. Remember to bring identification.
  • If you are already a registered postal recipient, check that your correct postal address is registered with Posten (external website, opens in new window). The site requires login with BankID or MinID.
  • You should not book any trips abroad until you have received your new residence card.