Who can bring their family to Norway?
If you live in Norway, you may have the right to bring your closest family members here. Below is an overview of who this right covers. NB: Citizens of EEA countries are subject to separate rules.
Your closest family members can apply for a family immigration permit if you live in Norway and are:
- A Norwegian citizen
- A citizen of the Nordic countries
- A foreign citizen who has a settlement permit/right to live permanently in Norway
- A foreign citizen who has a permit which after three years gives the right to live permanently in Norway (for example, people with asylum status or with a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, people with a work permit for skilled workers, etc.)
If you are in Norway for a shorter period, you may also be able to bring your closest family members here during your stay. This applies if you have a time-limited permit in Norway, and are:
- A student at university or in other higher education
- A researcher/scholarship holder/lecturer
- Employed by a non-profit or humanitarian organisation
- A necessary co-worker for the performance of a contract or for the development of Norwegian trade
- Employed in a foreign state-owned enterprise or multinational company in Norway
- A missionary
- Employed in the media (e.g. a journalist)
- A sportsperson or trainer
- A participant in the Norwegian volunteer service, Fredskorpset
- A trainee
- An au pair
- Employed on foreign trains, aircraft, buses or trucks in international traffic
- A necessary member of the security and maintenance crew on a ship laid up in Norway
- A citizen of Australia, Canada or New Zealand on a working holiday in Norway
- Employed in Norway after completing studies here
- A musician, performer, artist, or their accompanying assistant
- Covered by a group work permit and with an individual permit to work in the group after arriving in Norway
- Employed on a mobile installation on the Norwegian continental shelf and also have a permit to live in Norwegian territory
- Employed as a skilled worker on a fixed installation on the Norwegian continental shelf People covered by a mass outflow situation and who have or will be granted collective protection in Norway If you have such a permit, members of your family may apply for a family immigration permit.
In addition to these criteria, the person who is settled in Norway must be able to ensure subsistence and housing for those family members applying for family immigration.
More questions?
If you have more questions about family immigration, you can contact the Information Service (OTS).
Last updated:
10.04.2006
Published:
10.04.2006
