Subsistence and housing requirement
For a family immigration permit to be granted, the person who is settled in Norway must be able to ensure subsistence and housing for those family members applying for family immigration. NB: Separate rules apply for citizens of EEA countries.
To be granted a family immigration permit, as a rule, you must be ensured sufficient subsistence for the period during which you are to live in Norway. In practice this means that you and the person you are applying for family immigration to join must document a joint income equivalent to civil service pay grade 1 (NOK 182 400 as at 1 May 2007). If one of you is under 23, the subsistence requirement is to be met by the principal person (the person who is living in Norway).
The subsistence requirement may be met by earnings, own funds, social security benefits or a combination of different types of income. However, public income support may not be counted as income when calculating whether the subsistence requirement has been met.
The subsistence requirement does not apply if you, as the applicant, are:
- The spouse, cohabitant or child of a person who has been granted asylum or is a resettlement refugee. The marriage must have been entered into before the person you are applying for family immigration to join entered Norway and applied for asylum
- The spouse, cohabitant or child of a Nordic citizen who has lived in Norway for the past three years. It is a requirement that the parties have been married or cohabiting for at least three years and that both parties are aged 23 or over
- The spouse, cohabitant or child of a foreigner with a settlement permit. It is a requirement that the parties have been married or cohabiting for at least three years and that both parties are aged 23 or over
- The parent or sibling under 18 years of age of a child who is a resettlement refugee or who has asylum status in Norway
- A parent who has parental responsibility and lives permanently with a Norwegian child
- A parent who has access rights to a child living in Norway with the other parent
Exemptions from the subsistence requirement may be made if:
- You are the spouse or cohabitant of a Norwegian citizen, provided that both parties are aged 23 or over, or the child of a Norwegian citizen
- There are strong humanitarian considerations
For family members other than closest family members, it is a condition that the person settled in Norway has housing with room to house them.
Other conditions
Additional requirements will often be set which must be met before a permit can be granted. See the Act or the Regulations for detailed conditions linked to the various categories of applicant.
More questions?
If you have more questions about family immigration, you can contact the Information Service (OTS).
Last updated:
25.05.2007
Published:
10.04.2006
