The government of Norway has changed the financial support and Norwegian language requirements for permanent residence applications.
Financial Support
From April 18, 2024, the requirement that the applicant has not received financial assistance under the Social Services Act is lifted. Applicants are still required to have their own income.
Norwegian language
Applicants who have a residence permit as a skilled worker or self-employed person, or have come to Norway on family immigration with someone who is a skilled worker or self-employed person:
- Those who received their first residence permit in the period between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, are required to have completed 250 hours of tuition or achieved a minimum level in the Norwegian language and 50 hours of tuition in social studies.
- Those who received their first residence permit after January 1, 2022, are required to have completed 225 hours of tuition or achieved a minimum level in the Norwegian language and 75 hours of tuition in social studies.
The following applies to applicants who received another type of residence permit:
- Those who received their first residence permit in the period between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, are required to have achieved a minimum level of the Norwegian language and completed 50 hours of tuition in social studies.
- Those who received their first residence permit after January 1, 2022, are required to have achieved a minimum level of the Norwegian language and completed 75 hours of tuition in social studies.
There is no change in the requirement for tests in the Norwegian language and social studies.
Those who have passed all four parts of the Norwegian test at level A2 or higher, or who have been exempted by the municipality because they have sufficiently good knowledge of the Norwegian language or the Sami language, do not need to have completed training in the Norwegian language to receive a permanent residence permit.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.