On this page, you will find information about the following:
- family immigration in general click here.
- the application portal click here.
- what happens after the application has been submitted click here.
- exit clearance in the Philippines click here.
- documents in the Philippines (scroll down on this page)
- requirements concerning the sponsor in Norway click here.
- different types of family immigration permits, and the checklists to use click here.
- the entry visa (D-visa) for spouses and common children click here.
A residence permit on the grounds of family immigration is primarily granted to close family members. The permit will usually be given for one year at the time, and must be renewed each year. After three years one can apply for a permanent residence permit.
For EEA nationals (all citizens of an EU/EEA/EFTA country) and their family members, other rules apply through the EEA Regulations.
Family members are considered to be:
- Spouse and registered partner
- Fiancé
- Cohabitants who have lived together for at least two years, or who have or are expecting a child together
- Children under the age of 18 years old whose parent/s live(s) in Norway
- Parents whose children under the age of 18 years old live in Norway
- Parents of adult children in Norway can visit for up to 9 months (parental visit)
- Other family members (when there are strong humanitarian considerations)
For more information on family immigration, please click here.
The process of applying for family immigration to Norway
How to submit an application:
1) Read the Embassy’s and UDI’s information on the web sites.
2) Create a user account and password on the application portal (this can be done by the applicant or the sponsor). Please click here for information about the portal, and the direct link to create your account (bottom of the page).
3) Once you have created a user account, fill in the application category “Family immigration”, pay the application fee (See Table of Fees) with a credit/debit card, and book an appointment to meet in person at the Embassy to have an interview and submit the supporting documents. Make sure you have the necessary documents, and bring all the originals and photo-copies to your appointment with the Embassy.
4) When you arrive for your appointment, a Visa Officer in the Visa Service Centre (click here) will go through your documents. If all the necessary documents are there, you will go directly to the 21st floor to submit your application. The application will be scanned at the Embassy, and sent electronically to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration in Norway (UDI).
If any documents are lacking, you will be given two options:
- Change your appointment, and come back when you are able to submit a complete application.
- Submit the application with lacking documents. Please note that if you choose to submit the application with lacking documents this can lead to a rejection. The applicant will be required to sign a checklist to confirm that he/she has agreed to submit the application with lacking documents.
Once the case has been sent to UDI, the Embassy will not be involved until there is a decision (the Embassy has no information about the status of your application or expected processing time for your case). The processing time in UDI depends on the work load, but you can find an average expected processing time for the various types of permits on UDI’s web site if you click here.
For information about what happens with the application in UDI after you have submitted it, please click here.
When a decision has been made by UDI:
After the application has been processed, and a decision has been made, the Embassy will be notified by UDI. Please note that if you have given another person power of attorney in your application, the decision will be sent to that person, and he/she should notify you. For more information about power of attorney, please click here.
If the permit is granted, the applicant will be contacted by the Embassy who will issue an entry visa in his/her passport. The applicant should bring his/her passport and a recent passport size photo (click here for picture specifications) with a white background to the Embassy between 9-11 am. Monday to Friday. Unless we are experiencing technical problems, the visa will be issued the same day at 3 pm. After an entry visa has been issued (and the applicant has made sure he/she has the proper exit clearance) the applicant may travel to Norway. Please be informed that the applicant must report to the local Police District in Norway within 7 days upon arrival in order for the Police to affix the resident permit in the applicant's passport. For more information about this click here.
If the application is rejected by UDI, the Embassy will contact the applicant and inform about the decision and the right to appeal. If the applicant has given power of attorney to the sponsor in Norway, this person will be notified of the decision. For more information about how to appeal, please click here.
Exit Clearance in the Philippines:
Be advised that the applicant will need to contact the relevant authorities in the Philippines in order to be given an exit clearance to travel outside of the Philippines. For information about exit clearance in the Philippines, please see: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/ and http://www.smef-cow-phil.org/
NB! This is a matter between the Filipino citizen and the Philippine authorities, and the Norwegian Embassy will not be able to assist the applicant with regards to the exit clearance.
Information about documents in the Philippines
The National Statistics Office (NSO)
Please note that all certificates of birth, death, marriage, CENOMAR, annulment etc., must be issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in the Philippines. Certificates issued by the local Civil Registry will not be recognised as valid certificates. Be advised that the Embassy verifies documents. For more information about this click here.
Annulment
Please note that it is not possible to get a divorce in the Philippines, and if the applicant has previously been married, he/she must have the marriage annulled before he/she can enter into a new marriage, or be given a permit as a cohabitant. The annulment must be documented with an original certificate of finality (or entry of judgement) on the declaration of nullity of marriage and/or a certificate issued by the NSO declaring that the previous marriage is null and void.
Custody of children
Sole custody of children must be documented with a court decision and the certificate of finality (or entry of judgement) of the decision. Please note that affidavits are not accepted as proof of custody of a child. If the parents have joint custody of the child, the other parent must give a written consent for the child to take up residence in Norway, and he/she must also present a government issued ID with signature. The above mentioned documentation will not be necessary if only one parent is mentioned in the child’s birth certificate. If one parent is deceased, a death certificate issued by the NSO must be submitted with the application.
Legalization of documents in the Philippines
Please note that documents issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) must be legalized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and (afterwards), the Consular Section (not the Visa Section) at the Norwegian Embassy. The reason for this is that the Philippines has not ratified the Haag Convention of 05.10.1961. The legalized documents should be no older than four (4) months when delivered to the authorities in Norway. This is regulated in Child- and Family Department Circulate Q 18/2004 (in Norwegian only).
Requirements for the person living in Norway (the sponsor)
As a general rule the applicant must be ensured subsistence and housing in Norway. The income requirement is adjusted annually. For more information regarding this and other requirements concerning the sponsor, please click here.
Spouse / registered partner
If you are married to, or a registered partner with, a person living in Norway, and you wish to reside there, you are entitled to a family immigration permit if the other requirements are met. The permit is usually given for one year at the time, and then subject to renewal. If you wish to apply for this permit, please click here to use the relevant checklist.
Fiancé
If you are engaged to a person living in Norway, and your plan is to get married in Norway and live there, you can apply for the engagement permit. You and your sponsor must be able to document that you are free to enter into marriage. The permit is given for 6 months, and after you are married you can submit an application for family immigration with your spouse. If you wish to apply for this permit, please click here to use the relevant checklist.
Cohabitants
If you can document that you have lived together for two years, or that you have or are expecting a child together, you can apply for family immigration with cohabitant. Please note that you cannot be granted this permit if you are married. If you wish to apply for this permit, please click here to use the relevant checklist.
Children under 18 years old with one or both parents living in Norway
If you are a child and one or both of your parents have permits or will have permits in Norway, you may apply for family immigration with the parent(s).
If the case concerns an adopted child, the Norwegian Directorate of Children, Youth and Family Affairs must have agreed to the adoption before the child enters Norway.
Read more about the application process for children on the page Children applying for family immigration
Please click here to use the relevant checklist:
Parents with children under 18 years old who live (or will live) in Norway
If you have children under the age of 18 living in Norway who you are going to live with or have visitation rights to, you can apply for a family immigration permit. Please read this information.
Please click here to use the relevant checklist for family immigration with a Norwegian child.
Parents of adult children in Norway can visit for up to 9 months (parental visit)
If you have children living in Norway, you can be granted a residence permit that is valid for up to nine months to visit them. This permit can be granted regardless of the children’s age.
Read more about the residence permit for parental visits
Pleae click here to use the relevant checklist.
For information about other family members and residence permits on humanitarian grounds, please see: http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Central-topics/Family-immigration/Who-can-apply-for-family-immigration/
Please click here to use the relevant checklist for family immigration for other family members.
For information about D-visas (Entry Visa), please click here.