Applying for Norwegian citizenship without a permanent residence permit

Things to consider

• The requirements for permanent residence must be met when your application is processed

  If you have not been granted or applied for a permanent residence permit when you apply for Norwegian citizenship, you must meet all the requirements for permanent residence on the day UDI processes your application and makes a formal decision.

  This includes, for example, the income requirement. The twelve-month period will be counted backwards from the date you submitted your citizenship application. If you have applied for a permanent residence permit, the twelve-month period will be counted backwards from the date you submitted that application.

  Make sure you meet the requirements when your application is processed

  The waiting time can be long, and your situation may change while you wait. Many applicants meet the requirements for permanent residence when they submit their citizenship application, but not when UDI makes a formal decision, and they therefore receive a rejection.

  Situations that may lead to rejection:

  • You had enough income in the twelve months before you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you have a lower income or no income.
  • You were in school the last two semesters before submitting your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you have not been a pupil or student for the last two semesters.
  • You were under 25 and taking part in lower or upper secondary education with youth rights when you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you are over 25 and no longer have youth rights.
  • You were under 18 and not required to have an income when you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you are over 18 and must support yourself.
  • You were under 18 and not required to pass tests in Norwegian and social studies when you submitted your citizenship application, but by the time UDI processes your application, you are over 18 and must meet these test requirements for permanent residence.

• Your residence permit must be valid even if you have applied for citizenship

  If you have not been granted or applied for a permanent residence permit when you apply for Norwegian citizenship, you must hold another valid residence permit. Without a valid permit or a registered application for renewal, your citizenship application will be rejected.

  If you have already applied for a permanent residence permit, you do not need to renew your current residence permit.

  Remember to renew your residence permit while you wait

  The waiting time can be long, and you must make sure your temporary residence permit is renewed before the previous one expires.

• Your application will not be automatically processed

  If you do not have a permanent residence permit when applying for Norwegian citizenship, your application cannot be processed automatically. We must review your application manually and verify that you meet all the requirements.

  If you hold a permanent residence permit, your application is more likely to be processed automatically, and the waiting time may be shorter.