Permanent right to reside
-
Citizens of countries outside EU/EEA receive a residence card
Whereas EU/EEA nationals are issued a permanent residence certificate, family members who are not themselves from the EU/EEA area will be issued a permanent residence card. A permanent residence card is confirmation that you have been granted the permanent right to reside and work in Norway. This also means that you will not require a visa to enter 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.
Remember to renew your card
A permanent residence card is valid for 10 years. You do not need to apply for renewal of your permanent residence card, but you must order a new residence card well before your card is set to expire.
-
EU/EEA nationals will be issued a permanent residence certificate
You will be sent a permanent residence certificate, which confirms that you have the permanent right to reside in Norway.
A permanent residence certificate is valid indefinitely and does not need to be renewed. You will not be issued a residence card, and you will not get a sticker or stamp in your passport.
If you move to a new address in Norway or abroad, you must notify the National Population Register (external website).
-
You can lose your permanent right to reside in Norway
If you stay outside Norway for a continuous period of more than two years, you will lose your permanent right to reside in Norway.
In general, in order to reapply for permanent right to reside in Norway at a later time, you must first have stayed in Norway continually for another five-year period.
UDI can also revoke your permanent residence certificate if you have provided incorrect information to the immigration authorities, if a refusal of entry or stay has been imposed on you or you have been expelled.