Norway Spouse of a citizen

Residence permit for the spouse or cohabitant of a Norwegian or Nordic citizen who lives or intends to live in Norway, with work rights and a path to permanent residence after three years. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least NOK 436,957 a year (≈ $45,600) · Sponsor's secured funds of 3.2 times the National Insurance basic amount G (NOK 136,549 (≈ $14,300) from 1 May 2026) for the period applied for. ^{2 3}
• Income of at least NOK 409,972 a year (≈ $42,800) · Sponsor's registered income in the previous year of 3.2 times the average basic amount for that year (NOK 128,116 (≈ $13,400) in 2025). ^{2 3}
• A fee of NOK 11,900 (≈ $1,240) · First application fee for family immigration; NOK 4,400 (≈ $460) for a renewal filed before the permit expires; applicants under 18 pay half. ⁴

Requirements

• Applicant is the spouse or cohabitant of a Norwegian or Nordic citizen who resides or intends to establish residence in Norway. ¹
• Both applicant and sponsor are at least 18, and at least 24 unless the marriage or cohabitation began before the sponsor entered Norway or in Norway while both held a permit or citizenship. ¹
• The spouses live together unless particular circumstances indicate otherwise, and the marriage is not mainly to create a basis for residence. ¹
• An unmarried partner qualifies after two years of established cohabitation, or with a joint child or a child expected together, and neither partner is married. ¹
• Only one spouse is admitted where the sponsor has several spouses, and none if the sponsor is already married to a spouse living in Norway. ¹
• The sponsor must show secured funds of at least 3.2 times the National Insurance basic amount (G) for the period applied for, from work, benefits, pensions or study funding. ^{2 3}
• The sponsor must also have had registered income of at least 3.2 times G in the previous year, with exceptions such as higher education, military service or net wealth above NOK 1 million (≈ $104,000). ^{2 3}
• From 1 May 2026 G is NOK 136,549, (≈ $14,300) so 3.2 times G is NOK 436,957 (≈ $45,600). ³
• The permit can be refused if the sponsor does not consent or the marriage was entered into against the will of either party. ¹
• A first permit is granted for up to three years and at least one year, and cannot outlast the sponsor's own permit. ¹
• A permanent residence permit is available after three years of residence on a permit that leads to permanence, with language and social studies training completed and 12 months of self-support. ¹

Stay

• First permit up to three years, at least one year, and not beyond the sponsor's permit; permanent residence after three years of qualifying residence.
• First stay: 12 to 36 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

The permit gives the right to take employment and run a business anywhere in Norway.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Immigration Act (Act of 15 May 2008 No. 35), English translation · Lovdata · checked 2026-10-11
2. Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften), chapters 6 and 10 · Lovdata (Norwegian legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
3. Grunnbeløpet i folketrygden (National Insurance basic amount) · NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) · checked 2026-10-12
4. Regulation on foreigners' entry and residence (utlendingsforskriften), section 17-10: processing fees for residence permits · Lovdata (Norwegian regulation text) · checked 2026-10-11
5. The residence period for permanent residence permits · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12
6. Shorter residence requirement for certain groups: Citizenship (main rule 8 of the last 11 years) · Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) · checked 2026-10-12