Family Immigration to Norway – Reunification Rules & Requirements 2025

What Is Family Immigration?

Family immigration (familieinnvandring) allows you to move to Norway to live with a close family member who is already a Norwegian citizen or resident. This is one of the most common reasons people move to Norway.

Who Can Apply?

Spouses and registered partners

You can apply if you are married to or a registered partner of someone living in Norway. Requirements:

• Both parties must be at least 24 years old (age requirement for some family immigration cases)
• The marriage must be legally valid
• You intend to live together in Norway
• The marriage must not have been entered into by force

Cohabitants (samboere)

Unmarried partners can apply if you have lived together for at least 2 years or have children together.

Children

• Children under 18 can apply to live with a parent in Norway
• The parent must have parental responsibility
• Children over 18 generally cannot apply for family immigration

Parents of minor children

In some cases, parents can apply to live with their child in Norway if the child has a residence permit or is a Norwegian citizen.

Income Requirement (Underholdskravet)

The person in Norway (the sponsor) must meet a minimum income requirement:

2025 income threshold

• The sponsor must have earned at least NOK 313,600 (2.5 times the National Insurance base amount, or 2.5G) in the previous year
• OR demonstrate that future income will be at this level
• Certain benefits (social assistance) do not count toward the requirement

Who is exempt from the income requirement?

• Sponsors who receive disability benefits or old-age pension
• Sponsors who are Norwegian citizens over 67 years old
• Some refugees (time-limited exemption)

Required Documents

For the applicant (the person abroad):

• Valid passport
• Passport-size photos
• Marriage certificate or documentation of cohabitation
• Birth certificates for children
• Police clearance certificate
• Proof of language training (for some nationalities)

For the sponsor (the person in Norway):

• Tax returns for the last 1–3 years
• Employment contract or proof of income
• Documentation of housing in Norway
• Copy of residence permit or proof of Norwegian citizenship

The Application Process

1. Apply online through UDI

The applicant applies online at udi.no. The sponsor must also fill out a sponsorship form.

2. Pay the fee

Family immigration fee: NOK 10,500 (2025 — check udi.no for current fees). Reduced fees apply for children.

3. Book an appointment at the embassy

Submit biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and original documents at the Norwegian embassy in your country.

4. UDI processes the application

Processing times for family immigration are often 6–12 months, sometimes longer.

5. Receive a decision

If approved, you travel to Norway and collect your residence card at the local police station.

Important Rules to Know

Self-sufficiency requirement for permanent residence

To qualify for permanent residence (permanent oppholdstillatelse), the applicant must generally not have received social assistance (sosialhjelp) in the last 12 months, and must have held a qualifying permit for at least 3 years. Income requirements may also apply — check UDI for current thresholds, as these rules are updated regularly.

Language requirements

Some applicants must complete 300 hours of Norwegian language training or pass a Norwegian language test to qualify for permanent residence.

The attachment requirement (tilknytningskravet)

Previously, the couple's combined attachment to Norway had to be stronger than to any other country. This requirement has been debated and modified – check UDI for current rules.

What Happens After Arrival?

Once you arrive in Norway with a family immigration permit:

1. 1Register at the local police station and collect your residence card
2. 2Get a national identity number (fødselsnummer) from Skatteetaten
3. 3Register at your local NAV office for benefits information
4. 4Sign up for Norwegian language classes (norskopplæring) at your municipality
5. 5Your permit gives you the right to work in Norway

Interview at UDI or Embassy

UDI may call both the applicant and the sponsor for separate interviews to verify the relationship. Be prepared to answer questions about:

• How and when you met
• Details about your daily life together
• Future plans
• Communication patterns

Answer honestly – inconsistencies between your answers can lead to rejection.

Unsure about your family immigration case? Ask our AI assistant for quick answers based on Norwegian immigration law.