Questions and answers

• My application for permanent residency was rejected, but I have a valid residence permit

  The decision letter will state why your application was rejected.

  You are entitled to appeal the decision

  • The deadline for appealing is 3 weeks from the date you received the decision.
  • Your appeal must be in writing and signed, and a statement must be included with the reason for your appeal. Find more information on how to appeal a decision here.
  • If UDI does not grant your appeal, it will be sent for reconsideration by the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE).

• My application for a permanent residence permit was rejected, but I was granted a renewal or a new residence permit

  Your decision letter will state why your application was rejected, and what kind of residence permit you were granted.

  You are entitled to appeal the decision

  • The deadline for appealing is 3 weeks from the date you received the decision.
  • Your appeal must be in writing and signed, and a statement must be included with the reason for your appeal. Find more information on how to appeal a decision here.
  • If UDI does not grant your appeal, it will be sent for reconsideration by the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE).

  What you need to do now

  • The cover letter will state whether you will receive the residence card in the mail or whether you must make an appointment with the police.
  • If you attended an appointment with the police and submitted your application in Norway, you do not need to make an appointment with the police. You will receive your residence card within three weeks.
  • If you applied from abroad or did not meet in person when submitting your application, you must log in and make an appointment with the police (external website).
  • If you live in Oslo and have not applied electronically, you must make an appointment with the police by calling 22 34 21 00. You can find contact information for the other police districts here.
  • If you move to another address in Norway or move into or out of Norway, you must notify the National Population Register (external website).

• My application for a permanent residence permit and a temporary permit was rejected, and I have received a decision that I must leave Norway

  Your decision letter will state why your application was rejected, and why you must leave Norway. 

  You are entitled to appeal the decision

  • The deadline for appealing is 3 weeks from the date you received the decision.
  • Your appeal must be in writing and signed, and a statement must be included with the reason for your appeal. Find more information on how to appeal a decision here.
  • If UDI does not grant your appeal, it will be sent for reconsideration by the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE).

  • You are to submit your appeal before the deadline. If you appeal so late that it might be unclear whether you met deadline, you should state the date you received the decision on along with the reason why you did not receive it in time.

   In some cases, you can stay in Norway while we consider your appeal

  • If you applied for a permanent residence permit before your previous residence permit expired, and you appeal within the deadline, you are entitled to stay in Norway while we consider your appeal ('deferred implementation of the decision').
  • If you have applied for a permanent residence permit after your previous residence permit expired, you must submit your appeal before the deadline and request permission to stay in Norway while we consider your appeal ('deferred implementation of the decision'). UDI will then decide whether you can stay in Norway while we consider your appeal.

  What happens now?

  • As a rule, you must leave Norway by the deadline stated in your decision letter unless you appeal the decision. If you hold a valid permit in another Schengen country, you are entitled to travel there. If not, you must leave the Schengen area.
  • You can apply to your local police district for an extension of the deadline for leaving Norway.
  • You must go to the police in person with a valid ticket and travel document, so that they can check that you will actually leave the country.
  • You must pay your own expenses in connection with your return journey. This also includes any expenses incurred by the state in connection with your departure from Norway. To pay such expenses, you must contact the police district that was responsible for escorting you out of Norway. If you do not settle such debt, you may be denied entry into Norway at a later date. It could also lead to your application being rejected should you later apply for a visa or residence permit.
  • You can apply for help to return from the International Organization for Migration (IOM, external website) (external website) if there are special circumstances for why you need help to return home. If you apply for assisted voluntary return before the deadline for leaving Norway, you can stay in Norway until your a decision is reached on your application.
  • If you do not leave by the deadline, an expulsion order will be issued. If you do not hold a residence permit in another Schengen country or there are no grounds for you to stay in another Schengen country, an entry ban will apply to the whole Schengen area.
  • If you do not leave by the deadline, or if the police have reason to believe that you will not leave the country, they can order you to report periodically, confiscate your passport or other travel documents, or arrest and detain you.