Many Norwegian companies struggle to find the right skills domestically and therefore recruit skilled workers from abroad. But what happens when one of your employees wants to bring their family along? Family reunification is a key factor for employee well-being and stability when in Norway – and an important tool for employers who want to attract and retain valuable talent.
In this blog, we explain the rules for family reunification when the employee is a skilled worker from a country outside the EEA, such as the United Kingdom, India, or Malaysia. We review the application requirements and provide practical tips on how you can help ensure that your employees are able to bring their families with them while working for your company in Norway.
Before addressing family reunification, it is essential to understand the fundamental distinction between EU/EEA citizens and citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA.
EU/EEA citizens do not require a residence permit to reside and/or work in Norway and may commence employment immediately upon arrival. However, if their stay exceeds three months, they must register with the police and obtain a registration certificate for EU/EEA citizens.
Citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA must, generally, have a residence permit to reside and/or work in Norway.
Also read: How employers apply for a skilled worker permit in Norway
To understand family reunification, it is important to be familiar with these terms:
Family members may apply for family reunification if the reference person has either received, or has applied for, a residence permit as a skilled worker.
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) defines a skilled worker as someone who has completed higher education (minimum three years) or completed a vocational training program of at least three years at upper secondary school level or obtained special qualifications/skills through extensive work experience (typically seven years in a relevant field).
A residence permit for skilled workers allows individuals to reside and work in Norway for a specified period, travel in and out of Norway multiple times during the permit's validity, and work in a position that matches their qualifications.
There are numerous categories of family members who may apply for family reunification. We focus on the most common:
The application process for family reunification
The first step is to complete and submit the application form electronically via UDI's website. Citizens from certain countries cannot, however, apply electronically and must instead submit the application in person at a Norwegian foreign service mission in their home country. In such cases, an appointment must be booked in advance.
When completing the electronic application, one will receive a checklist tailored to the applicant and their situation.
The applicant should generally submit the application documents themselves. The applicant must appear in person at an application Centre in their home country or country of residence to submit the application documents. The employer or client of the reference person may in many cases submit the application documents from Norway on behalf of the applicant.
In cases where a representative is used to submitting the application documents, the police must be contacted to establish a case. Necessary documents are uploaded to the UDI portal as soon as this is confirmed.
The following documentation may be necessary when applying for family reunification, depending on the situation:
Note: This is not a comprehensive list.
There is no application fee when submitting an application for children under 18 years.
For adults over 18 years, an application fee must be paid to UDI, which as of 2025 is NOK 11,900. If the applicant submits their application at a Norwegian foreign service mission in their home country, an additional service fee/courier fee may be required in some cases. This fee is in addition to the standard application fee.
The processing time is calculated from when the applicant has submitted all necessary documents. If the applicant applied simultaneously with the reference person, they would receive an answer when the reference person receives an answer. The case processing time may otherwise take up to 6 months.
A temporary residence permit may be granted for up to three years but cannot exceed the duration of the job offer.
When the applicant is granted a residence permit based on family reunification, they receive the right to reside in Norway for the same period as the reference person and the opportunity to travel in and out of Norway freely.
Also read: What is a temporary residence permit?
When the residence permit expires, one may apply for renewal. UDI recommends applying for renewal three months before the residence permit expires.
Most applications for renewal of residence permits are processed by the police.
Be aware that complications may arise when travelling to and from Norway whilst awaiting processing of a renewed permit. When the current residence permit has expired, one no longer has a valid residence card.
One of the greatest challenges is obtaining correct documentation from the home country.
It is important to:
Proper planning and documentation are an excellent foundation for obtaining approval for family reunification applications in Norway. The process requires thorough planning and correct documentation, but with proper preparation, families can be granted residence permits and begin their lives in Norway.
At Magnus Legal law firm we have extensive experience in guiding employers and their families through the entire process with family reunification. We can help assess which category best suits the particular situation, prepare documentation, and ensure a successful application process. Contact us for a personal review of your situation.
The most important points to remember: