Norway is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. While many know this place for the Northern Lights, Sognefjord, and the endless daylight of the midnight sun, the country offers much more. Norway is noted for its peaceful life, excellent healthcare facilities, and affordable education. If you are planning to move to the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun,’ it is important that you know what the permanent residency (PR) permit is.
What is Norway PR?
PR translates to permanent residency. It is a permit, which, if you get it, allows you to stay in Norway for as long as you wish. Unlike temporary residents or those on short-term visas for travel or work-related meetings, you have added protection against expulsion. With PR, you can enjoy most of the same rights as Norwegian citizens.
Benefits of getting permanent residency in Norway
Obtaining a PR in Norway comes with the following perks:
- Norway offers social security benefits to its citizens, which are also accessible to PR holders. The scheme provides unemployment benefits, disability support, parental leave, and even a pension.
- Norway is part of the Schengen nations. With a PR permit on your side, you can travel freely to other Schengen countries, ditching complex paperwork and processes.
- If you want to settle in Norway, PR opens your way to obtaining citizenship status, provided you meet the minimum continuous stay duration in the country.
- Norway has one of the best education infrastructures across the globe. Not only that, public universities do not charge tuition fees, regardless of whether you are a Norwegian citizen or an international student.
- Norway has the best workplace culture. A full-time work week is set at 37.5 hours, and if you work beyond this, you qualify for a minimum of 40% extra pay.
Norway permanent resident eligibility & requirements
For Norway resident status, meet the following criteria:
- You must have lived in Norway continuously for three years on a valid residence permit.
- You must not have stayed outside Norway for more than seven months during the last three years of your residence permit.
- You are financially able to support yourself without being dependent on social welfare benefits offered by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV).
- Based on your permit type, mandatory completion of 300-600 hours of an approved Norwegian language training course is required. If you have cleared the Norwegian language test, that would also be sufficient.
- You must not have any criminal record in your name during your stay.
- You must also complete the Norwegian social studies course and pass the associated test.
Types of Norway PR pathways for Indians
Here are different ways that can help you get a PR in Norway.
Family reunification
If you have a close family member residing in Norway and they invite you, then you can enter this country on a temporary residence visa under the family visa category. To qualify, you must have an annual income and permanent housing. Once you complete five continuous years of your temporary residence, you can apply for PR under the reunification program.
Marriage
If you marry a Norwegian citizen, you can apply for PR. However, to become eligible, you must have completed three years of marriage, and your total stay in the country must be at least seven years.
Education
If you are in Norway to complete any full-time course from a college accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education, it opens the door for PR. Norway PR after study is the most popular one.
Work
If you are in Norway to earn a living, you can apply for a temporary residence permit by visiting and sharing your required details on the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration website. Even if you fall under the seasonal worker category, temporary residence is provided. With this permit and by meeting the tenure completion criteria, you can qualify for PR.
Business
If you want to start a business in Norway, you can do so after getting a temporary residence permit that has a one-year validity. You can request an extension of this permit, provided that the business is profitable. Once you complete three continuous years on this permit, you can apply for PR. You are also eligible for Norwegian citizenship after eight years of continuous residence.
How to apply for Norway PR?
Here is how you can apply for PR for Norway:
- Step 1: Check if you meet the required eligibility criteria. If yes, gather all the necessary documents.
- Step 2: Submit your PR application on the UDI portal.
- Step 3: Pay NOK 4,000 as the application fee using your MasterCard or Visa Card.
- Step 4: Schedule an appointment at the nearby police station and submit your application and documents.
- Step 5: The designated police officer will conduct a background check and validate your details before processing your request.
Note: If your documents are in a language other than Norwegian or English, a translator or a public interpreter is required.
Necessary documents for getting a PR in Norway
You need to furnish the following set of documents when applying for a Norwegian PR.
- PR application form
- Valid passport copy (with all the pages, including blank ones)
- Current residence permit card
- Proof of continuous legal stay for a minimum of three years
- Proof of income
- Self-sufficiency declaration stating that you have received no social welfare from NAV in the past 12 months
- Criminal record certificate from the Norwegian police
- Documentation of Norwegian language skills at a minimum A2 level
- Social studies course completion certificate
Note: If you are applying for PR for Norway from India under family reunification, the officials may ask for the partner's passport, relationship declaration UID form, children's birth certificates, and details of the time spent by the concerned family members in Norway in the past three years.
Does Indian travel insurance work post getting Norway PR?
Once you receive the Norway PR for Indians, your Indian travel insurance won't cover you, as you will now be treated as a Norwegian resident. However, if you are flying to Norway for a short trip, study, or work-related chores and need a short-term visa, travel insurance with a minimum medical coverage of €30,000 is mandatory.
The insurance will cover loss of passport or baggage, trip cancellation or curtailment, medical expenses, and medical evacuation or repatriation.
Conclusion
Getting a permanent residency status in Norway gives you access to social security benefits, free education, and excellent healthcare facilities. However, to apply for this permit, you need to fly to this country and stay for a minimum period of three years. Until you receive the PR permit, if you face any medical emergency or encounter a financially draining crisis, your travel insurance policy can come to your rescue.
Depending upon your needs, you can invest in a multi-year travel coverage or, if you are in Norway for higher education, student travel insurance for Norway can be helpful.
FAQs
1. Who can apply for PR in Norway?
Any Indian who has lived legally in Norway for at least three continuous years with a valid residence permit can apply. However, they must also meet the other qualifying criteria.
2. Do I need to learn the Norwegian language for PR?
Yes, depending on your permit, you need to complete 300-600 hours of Norwegian language and social studies courses.
3. How much does it cost to apply for PR in Norway?
The application fee for Norway PR is NOK 4,000, which translates to around ₹34,000.
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