Losing a residence permit

UDI may withdraw your residence permit if you have given incorrect information or withheld important information, for example about your identity or the basis for your residence permit.

If your parents or guardians have provided incorrect information or withheld important information when they applied for a permit for you as a child, your permit may be withdrawn even if you as a child have done nothing wrong. The reason why UDI may withdraw, it is that UDI had incorrect information when we processed your case.

UDI can withdraw your residence permit if you have violated the conditions of the permit, for example if you have not spent at least half of your time in Norway. The conditions that apply to you, are stated in the decision on your residence permit.

If you have a residence permit with refugee status, you may lose your temporary residence permit or refugee status if:

• you have regained protection from your home country
• you have regained citizenship from your home country
• you have received a new citizenship
• you have settled in your home country again
• the conditions in your home country have changed
• your personal circumstances have changed

If you travel to your home country, UDI may consider whether your permit should be withdrawn.

If you have committed serious criminal acts in Norway, UDI may consider whether your permit should be withdrawn.

The rules on withdrawal of permits are in the Immigration Act Section 63, Immigration Act Section 37 and Immigration Act Section 31.

You can lose your permanent residence permit if you live abroad for too long, see Can my permanent residence permit be withdrawn?. This is called "Lapse".

UDI may need to prepare the case before we decide whether to give advance notice of withdrawal. If we need more information on your case, the police or UDI may call you in for an interview.

It is usually parents or guardians who are called in for an interview with UDI or the police.

If UDI believes that your residence permit should be withdrawn, UDI will notify you in advance and ask you to give your perspective on the case.

It is important that you read the advance notice in your case. The advance notice states why UDI believes you may lose your residence permit and what information UDI needs from you.

You may receive legal assistance to write the reply. If you have received an advance notice, your legal fees will be covered. You must contact a lawyer yourself. You can find a lawyer at www.advokatenhjelperdeg.no (external website) or www.tilsynet.no (external website).

If you would like to see the documents in your case, you can go to www.udi.no/access-information.

As a child, you have the right to be heard (see Section 104 of the Constitution).

You choose yourself whether you want to speak out or not. A statement from you may have an impact on your decision. You can be heard through your parents, guardians, lawyer or another representative who can speak out on your behalf. You can also write a letter yourself.

The statement should contain information about your attachment to Norway and your health, as this may be important for the assessment of a new residence permit in Norway.

UDI decides whether your residence permit should be withdrawn or not.

If UDI decides that you will lose your residence permit, you will receive a decision from UDI. The decision states why UDI is withdrawing your residence permit.

UDI will consider whether you can get a new permit, for example if:

• you have a special attachement to Norway
• there are strong humanitarian considerations in your case, or
• if you are protected against return to your home country

If you do not receive a new permit, you must leave Norway. Your decision will state whether you must leave Norway and what the deadline is for leaving Norway.

It is possible that the UDI will not withdraw your permit, in which case you will receive a decision stating “No withdrawal”.

You can appeal the decision about withdrawal. See www.udi.no/appealing-a-decision/.

If you have received a decision of withdrawal, you have the right to have the costs of a lawyer covered. You must contact a lawyer yourself. You can find a lawyer at www.advokatenhjelperdeg.no (external website) or www.tilsynet.no (external website). 

If you appeal the decision about withdrawal, you can initially remain in Norway until the Immigration Board (UNE) has processed your appeal.

If you would like to see the documents in your case, you can go to www.udi.no/access-information.