20 August 2026

Immigration Lawyer in Norway

Our immigration lawyers in Norway explain work immigration, study visas, family immigration and EU/EEA residence, and assist you with your application.

Immigration Lawyer in Norway

There are different types of immigration to Norway, which depend on the nationalities of immigrants and purposes of moving. The common categories are: work immigration, study visas, family immigration, and immigration on the grounds of EU or EEA membership. We provide legal assistance to immigrants who have already gained permanent residence or Norwegian citizenship. Our immigration lawyers in Norway will help you choose the correct path and prepare all the necessary documents.

Quick Facts
Types of immigration visas

Temporary, permanent residence permits

Temporary residence options

Studentship, employment, self-employment, family reunification

Immigration requirements for
EU citizens

EU/EEA citizens never need a visa; they must register with the police if they stay longer than 3 months
Guidance on obtaining work permits (YES/NO)

YES

Validity of temporary residence permit 1 to 3 years, depending on the
reason of immigration
Investor visa availability  (YES/NO)

NO, Norway has no investor visa; self-employment permits require qualifications and a viable business

Permanent residence requirements

Living in Norway for 3 years, plus income, Norwegian language (A2) and social studies requirements

Family members allowed to move
to Norway
spouse, cohabitant, children; parents and siblings only in limited cases
Requirements for citizenship
by naturalization
8 years in the last 11 years (6 years in the last 10 with sufficient income)
Requirements for citizenship
by marriage
5 years in the last 10 years; residence and marriage must total at least 7 years
Direct citizenship by investment (YES/NO) NO
Support in applying for residency (YES/NO)YES, temporary and permanent residence permit application support
Assistance in temporary residency renewal (YES/NO)YES
Guidance in obtaining Norwegian citizenshipYES
Other services (YES/NO)YES, assistance in registering for taxation, social security, bank account opening, real estate acquisition

What are you immigration services in Norway?

Our immigration lawyers in Norway can help you if you wish to immigrate to Norway. These services include:

  • Determining the best path of immigration to Norway according to the situation of the individual applying;
  • Guidance regarding options for immigration for work, education, or family;
  • Guidance for citizens of the EU/EEA regarding residence and registration;
  • Preparing and reviewing your residence permit application;
  • Helping you with all the documentation needed from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration;
  • Helping you with family reunion applications;
  • Helping you apply for permanent residency if you qualify for the same;
  • Guiding you in terms of the requirements for Norwegian citizenship.

What are the primary immigration pathways to Norway in 2026?

The primary ways of immigration to Norway include:

  • Immigration for work – immigration of qualified workers, seasonal workers, and self-employed immigrants who fulfill the requirements.
  • Immigration for studies – immigration of international students who have been accepted into Norwegian schools that qualify.
  • Immigration for family reasons – immigration of eligible family members who join their relatives residing in Norway.
  • Temporary Residence in Norway – residence of EU/EEA nationals who qualify for such residence.
  • Permanent Residence– open to eligible foreigners after the qualifying period of residence.
  • Norwegian citizenship – granted to applicants who satisfy the residence and other criteria for citizenship.

Here is also our infographic on this subject:

What are the immigration rules in Norway in 2026?

According to the Norwegian Immigration Act, not all foreign citizens need to apply for visas or residence permits if they want to relocate here for short or long terms. Citizens of European Union and European Economic Area countries can enter Norway based on their valid passports and register with the local authorities if they want to live here for more than 90 days.

For non-EU and non-EEA citizens, various types of visas and residence permits can be obtained through simple procedures. The flexibility of the national immigration authority enables them to apply for such permits online.

What are the types of residence permits in Norway?

Here are the main types of residence permits available for persons who want to live in this country for more than 90 days, according to the Immigration Law in Norway:

  • the temporary residence permit which can be obtained for various immigration purposes;
  • the permanent residence permit which can be obtained after living here for several years.

Which is the eligibility criteria for temporary residence permits in Norway?

Temporary residence permits are available for those who:

  1. relocate to Norway for studies and can be obtained through an acceptance letter from the local education facility;
  2. obtain jobs with Norwegian companies, where the employment contract is the main document they can use for relocation;
  3. family reunification which is available for those who have family members living here and come to Norway to join them;
  4. self-employment, which is available for qualified persons who will run their own business in Norway.

How can I obtain a temporary residence permit in Norway?

Foreign citizens who want to immigrate to Norway must prepare and file various documents if they want to live here. Temporary residence is the first step to complete by those who seek to obtain permanent or even Norwegian citizenship.

Temporary residence permits have a validity of 1 to 3 years depending on the reason of relocation and can be renewed. However, after the first 3 years, a person can apply for permanent residence in Norway. The alternative is to keep renewing the temporary residence card every 2 years.

How can I obtain permanent residency in Norway in 2026?

The Immigration Law in Norway is quite friendly, as the main requirement associated with becoming a permanent resident of this country is to have lived here for 3 continuous years. To this condition, the following three apply:

  • in the last three years, the applicant must have not lived here more than 3 months without a temporary residence permit;
  • in the same time span, the person must have not lived in another country for more than 7 months;
  • the applicant must not have received financial social assistance in the last 12 months.

Can I immigrate to Norway with the family in 2026?

Yes, foreign citizens who want to move to Norway can apply for the afore mentioned types of residence permits. When they have relocated alone, they can apply for reunification with their families provided that certain requirements are.

According to the Norway immigration requirements, family reunion visas are available for those who want to bring the following categories of relatives:

  • spouses, common-law partners and fiancés;
  • children;
  • parents;
  • other close relatives, such as siblings.

What are the Norway immigration requirements for obtaining citizenship?

One of the main reasons for immigration to Norway is obtaining citizenship in one of the most developed countries in Europe. Foreign citizens who have lived here and obtained permanent residency can apply for Norwegian passports by naturalization, which is one of the safest ways of obtaining full rights here.

The main requirement in this case is to have lived in Norway for at least 8 of the last 11 years (6 of the last 10 years with sufficient income), plus Norwegian at B1 oral level and the citizenship test.

Another pathway for immigration to Norway with the purpose of obtaining citizenship is marriage. Foreigners married to citizens of this country can obtain citizenship after 5 years of residence within the last 10 years, provided residence and marriage total at least 7 years. The main requirement is for the spouses to have lived together here.

Here is also a video on this topic:

Video

What are the Norway immigration requirements under the investor visa?

Norway has no investor visa programme. To obtain a self-employment permit instead, one must have a clean criminal record and must dispose of sufficient capital to inject in a project that meets the relocation requirements. Apart from these, the applicant must also prove he or she has sufficient funds to sustain a good quality of life here.

The main requirement associated with immigration by investment in Norway implies for the plan of the applicant to create jobs for the local community. It must also bring a significant contribution to the country’s economy. The main sector approved by the government is oil and gas, however, other options can also be exploited. Among them, the maritime, seafood, green energy, and IT are some of the most important.

Don’t hesitate to contact our immigration attorney in Norway for complete information concerning your rights and obligations under the Immigration Act in this country.