Obtaining a residence permit in Norway

How to immigrate to Norway from Russia

Editorial

Promdevelop editorial team

Immigration to Norway from Russia has its advantages and disadvantages.

In order for your move to Norway to be successful, you need to learn about all the nuances of living in the northern country for permanent residence or with a residence permit.

Living in Norway - pros and cons

Every year thousands of Russians go to Norway in search of work. Many of them remain in the country for permanent residence. There are many significant differences between mentality and lifestyle, so visitors go through a difficult stage of social, cultural and financial adaptation.

When entering the country, many note the following obvious advantages of living in it:

• High level of wages and pensions according to European standards.
• Welcoming attitude towards immigrants. There is practically no type of discrimination in the state, and residents are always happy to meet and help visitors adapt.
• Citizens have the right to free higher education in the desired field.
• The small and closed country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. This is due to the high standard of living, the availability of vacant jobs, decent salaries, the strong civic position of residents and the well-functioning work of law enforcement agencies.
• Separately, it is worth noting the favorable environmental situation. Each resident contributes to sorting and recycling waste, the government correctly distributes energy resources, protects nature and adheres to strict environmental policies.

However, not everything is as rosy as it might seem at first glance. Living in a “Scandinavian oasis” also has its downsides:

• It's really difficult to get here. To obtain a work and residence permit, you need to go through several authorities, collect a large package of documents and prove your professional suitability to the commission.
• Since the country is located far in the north, southerners may find this climate harsh and difficult.
• All salaries are subject to high taxes. But this point is quite justified. The government does not waste this money; on the contrary, each resident pays to ensure that he and his family members have a full social package, free education, medical treatment and excellent service from all government services. How much do we actually pay in taxes in Russia?
• Moreover, you will have to spend a significant amount on clothes and food. Many people prefer to go shopping in cheaper Sweden, since in the first stages of life, prices “bite” and can significantly hit the pocket.

However, taxes and high prices do not give the right to assume that it is difficult to live here on a salary. On the contrary, salaries are high enough for residents to afford high-quality and environmentally friendly products, clothing, household items, etc.

Immigration methods

There are five possible ways to immigrate to Norway:

• Business and investing. The Norwegian authorities impose a number of difficult conditions on emigration through doing business for Russians. This is not the best way to move to the Kingdom for a person who does not have a large amount of money or is considering options with shell companies. You will have to actually work, and only in the company being created and in a position that corresponds to high professional skills. You will need to confirm your work experience, qualifications and relevant education. With an authorized capital of 13,000 €, you will need to predict the annual profit (minimum 25,000 €). It is necessary to hire a Norwegian citizen as the manager of such a company. An application for a residence permit for a business is considered for up to 1 year. Important! Investing in residential real estate does not provide the right to request a residence permit or permanent residence in Norway. You can only apply for a multiple visa.
• Employment. Only highly qualified and in-demand specialists or those who are able to engage in physically difficult labor can get a job.

There are 3 types of obtaining a residence permit for those wishing to get a job.

1. The first is a residence permit for a specialist in search of work, which is granted for 1 year without subsequent renewal and allows you to look for work and legally stay in the country. To obtain such a residence permit, persons wishing to work in Norway must provide documents on education, a certificate from a financial institution confirming the availability of money for subsistence for the full period of stay in the country (this is 208,000 crowns per year according to the latest data), as well as a residential rental agreement real estate.
2. The second option to obtain a residence permit in Norway is an “employed specialist”. When an employer from Norway wants to hire a specialist (you need a diploma of education) and pay him at least 500,000 crowns per year, then they can provide a residence permit with an extension, and in the future you can obtain permanent residence.
3. The third option is a qualified worker. This category includes persons who have the necessary education and experience in a position that is in demand in the country; these can be top managers, executives, people with an academic degree and others in whom the state itself is interested. In this category you can also obtain a residence permit with extension and subsequent receipt of permanent residence.

note

that our project has a free section “Work in Norway - Vacancies”, where vacancies with direct contacts of employers are added daily.

• Marriage and family reunification. If an immigrant resides legally in Norway, he can bring all members of his family there, provided that they are fully supported by him. You can also obtain a residence permit upon marriage; local authorities will regularly check the relationship for fictitiousness. In order to move to live in Norway, having the privileges of starting a family, you must provide a marriage certificate with a Norwegian citizen, as well as prove that the marriage was not fictitious. To obtain a family-type residence permit, the following also apply:
• recognition of paternity of children;

adopted and guardianship minors.

For spouses or partners, you must live in a legal marriage or cohabitation on the same territory and a common household for 2 years. After receiving permission, if the marriage is preserved and children are even better in the family, you can apply for citizenship after 3 years of continuous stay in the country.

The government does not interfere with unions with foreigners; in fact, it does not matter what place you are from, what is important is the desire to live with a partner or officially registered spouse, as well as the absence of fictitiousness in the relationship.

If inspectors suspect fraud, the foreigner will be sent out of Norway, without the right to visit it, and the Scandinavian resident will have to bear administrative liability, as well as a large fine,

Migration is the process of moving people. Immigration is relocation to the state on behalf of which the speech is being conducted. But emigration is relocation from the state on whose behalf the story is being told. For example, if a Russian moves to Norway, for other Russians he is an emigrant, for Norwegians he is an immigrant, and for Ukrainians he is a migrant.

A residence permit (RP) is a document that assigns an immigrant the status of a temporary resident. Permanent resident status (PR) is possible only through obtaining a residence permit.

A residence permit is a document that assigns an immigrant the status of a temporary resident

The most in-demand professions in Norway

The authorities willingly accept workers from various industries. The list of professions for emigrating to Norway from Russia is extensive. It is quite easy to obtain a visa for experienced IT workers, doctors (mainly with a narrow focus), as well as general workers who come to the country in search of seasonal work. The latter option implies different job opportunities:

• In the social sphere (to work with difficult teenagers, pensioners and people with disabilities).
• To the family (as a nanny, housekeeper, butler, gardener, cook, etc.).
• On the farm to care for livestock, harvest and plant crops, and prepare fields for subsequent use.
• To fish factories for catching, processing, freezing and packaging fish.

Average salary in Norway

There is no official minimum wage threshold. Its amount is determined by the position held, demand and qualifications of the specialist. The rate is fixed in the contract that employers enter into with their subordinates.

The average salary for 2021 ranges from 4500-5000 euros. Generally, men earn more than women.

The rate for foreign workers may be higher than the average salary in the country if the employee already has experience in a similar position, higher education and has proven the level of his qualifications. Workers without experience or education can also apply for jobs with decent wages, for example in fish factories with an average rate of 17 euros per hour of work.

What is needed to emigrate to Norway from Russia

In order for emigration to Norway from Russia in 2021 to be successful, you need to understand the specifics of the authorities’ attitude towards foreign workers. Specialists who apply for high-paying jobs must:

• Meet qualification requirements. If a Russian plans to hold a position in one of the 180 regulated professions, then he must first confirm his qualifications by successfully passing a test.
• Fluent in the national language. In order to master it, you can take courses specially designed for this.

How to immigrate to Norway

There are several options for immigration to Norway for permanent residence. This section will describe the main immigration routes:

• Opening your own business.
• Permanent employment (seasonal does not imply long-term residence).
• Moving as a student to receive free education.
• Starting a family, marrying a Norwegian citizen.
• Refugee.

Starting a business

A fairly popular method of relocation is business immigration. This method is simple, but financially expensive. In order to open your own business in the country, you must provide a certificate of income for the previous year, as well as prove your qualifications and experience in running a business. You will also have to additionally invest at least 13 thousand euros in order to document your project. Only a Norwegian citizen can officially manage an enterprise.

Employment

Labor immigration to Norway for residents from Russia is available in two ways:

1. By searching for a vacancy in advance and concluding an employment contract with the employer. The employer's side is responsible for preparing documents and invitations.
2. Obtaining a residence permit for a period of 1 year from the date of arrival in the country. During this period of time, the person must find an official job with a salary of at least 50,000 euros per year.

Getting an education

Promising and talented young people from the Russian Federation can enter universities and receive free higher education. Such loyalty is associated with the country’s updated social policy, aimed at the influx of smart youth for the development of the state.

Starting a family

Many people mistakenly believe that getting married is one of the easiest ways to move to the country. But, based on the reviews, everything is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. Authorized services carefully ensure that the marriage is not fictitious, so all members of the future family undergo a thorough check.

Refugee

In special cases, you can obtain refugee status to move to the country. But there must be serious reasons for this. A refugee is a person who is persecuted on the territory of his state and seeks asylum from the authorities of another country. Persecution may relate to race, religion, politics, social status, gender, or in connection with hostilities.

How else can you gain a foothold in the country?

In the Kingdom of Norway it is possible to obtain citizenship through marriage to a Norwegian citizen, through refugee status, through training and employment, and through family reunification.

All these methods have their pros and cons. They also involve a long process of obtaining a visa to Norway. When considering the option of marriage as a way to move, it is worth remembering that in the kingdom, marriage in the church is equated to an official wedding, and all couples with one foreign spouse are carefully and unexpectedly checked to see if the relationship is fictitious.

Norway is a wonderful but cold country with a harsh climate. It is considered one of the most developed in Europe, and attracts millions of people who want to move to its territory. That is why Norwegian immigration laws are so strict, and the slightest offense against immigration laws entails immediate deportation and deprivation of the right to visit all European countries almost forever.

Norwegian citizenship

Obtaining citizenship is difficult, but possible. Let's take a closer look at how to emigrate to Norway from Russia in 2021, and what is needed for this.

Who can apply?

Only those who already have a residence permit, those who marry a Norwegian citizen, and children who have at least 1 parent holding a Norwegian passport can apply for full citizenship.

Conditions for receiving

To obtain citizenship, you must:

1. Successfully complete language courses and become fluent in the national language.
2. Renounce previous citizenship. Exceptions are allowed for refugees who left the territory due to hostilities and political pressure.
3. Be without a criminal record (a criminal record may delay the acquisition of citizenship for an indefinite period), not have any outstanding administrative fines, and not be under investigation at the time of receiving a passport.
4. Have been continuously in Norway for at least 7 years over the past decade.

How to obtain citizenship in Norway?

To obtain citizenship, persons who meet the above requirements can apply to one of the authorities to choose from: the Immigration Service Directorate, the Regional Administration Affairs Directorate or the Directorate of Foreigners' Affairs.

Required documents to obtain citizenship

To obtain citizenship you must have the following package of documents:

• Foreign passport identifying the person.
• A certificate from work that confirms the financial status of the applicant.
• 2 color photographs.
• Resident card.

The need to provide additional documents must be clarified with employees of the diplomatic institution.

Possibility of dual citizenship

There is no possibility of dual citizenship. Obtaining a Norwegian passport implies renouncing your status as a resident of another state.

Immigration through marriage

This method of settling in Norway for permanent residence is suitable for:

1. Wives/husbands of citizens of a Northern European power.
2. Brides/grooms planning to get married on the peninsula.
3. Registered partners of Norwegians.
4. Cohabitants of persons living in a Scandinavian country.

Primary requirements:

• Both spouses/partners are over 18 years of age. The same applies to brides and grooms.
• Documents on the dissolution of a previous marriage are presented (for persons who were previously in an official relationship).

Additional requirements for roommates:

• Not be married to anyone.
• Live together for at least 2 years. The requirement is waived if the couple has or is about to have a child.
• Continue living together in Norway.

Documentation

Immigrants reuniting with their relatives prepare a package of documents. The papers are submitted to the royal diplomatic mission.

Important! Copies of documents are certified by a notary's seal. Translation of Russian-language papers into Norwegian or English from an officially registered translator is required. Original documents (except passports) are also translated.

Sample of passport certification by a notary

The inviting party presents their set of certificates:

This is what a Norwegian passport looks like

1. Passport (copies of completed pages).
2. Salary report:
   For the last year.
3. Plus a salary statement for the last 3 months.
4. Certificate from employer:
   Indicating the terms of employment.
5. With salary information.
6. Confirmation that the host party does not receive social benefits (during the last year).
7. Certificate of residence.
8. Certificate of marital status confirming the absence of marital relations (for those receiving the bride/groom). An extract from the information department of the Population Registration Office is suitable as evidence.

Advice for those who decide to leave the Russian Federation for Norway for permanent residence

General information about how to immigrate to Norway from Russia is already known, but what do visitors who have just recently moved to a new place need to know?

Firstly, even a minimum salary will allow you to eat normally, buy clothes and basic necessities. You shouldn’t deny yourself basic needs for fear of spending all your money. Many people resort to saving money and go to Sweden for large purchases, where most products are much cheaper.

Secondly, do not underestimate the importance of fluency in Norwegian. English, like any other foreign language, is not widespread in Norway, so without knowledge of the language it will be difficult.

List of main documents

The basic package of documents for obtaining Norwegian citizenship consists of:

• internal passport of the country of current citizenship,
• birth certificates,
• international passports and copies of international passports that the applicant had during the last decade before submitting the application for Norwegian citizenship,
• confirmation that there are no criminal records in your home country,
• a certificate from a psychiatrist confirming that the applicant does not have mental illness,
• medical certificates confirming the absence of diseases unsafe for Norwegian society (AIDS and tuberculosis) from a state Norwegian clinic,
• all documents confirming marital status (marriage or divorce certificates, death of a spouse),
• certificates of proficiency in one of the official languages ​​of Norway and of passing integration tests,
• documentary confirmation of a legal source of income and its sufficient level,
• a document confirming legal residence in Norway,
• certificates of payment of state duty.

As a matter of fact, the basic list of documents required to obtain Norwegian citizenship is usually not exhaustive. The country's immigration officials usually require additional confirmation of family ties if the foreigner immigrated under a family reunification program, a birth certificate for children or adoption certificates, and so on.

All submitted documentation is translated into Norwegian and notarized. Documents that the applicant received in any EU country do not require translation or certification.

A Norwegian passport will be the result of deliberate and consistent action

Features for minors

For minors, an application for citizenship is submitted by their parents or persons who have the rights of guardians. If the child is over 12 years old and has lived in Norway for more than five of the previous seven years of his life, he has the right to write an application in his own hand at the immigration service.

For children whose parents are divorced and the absent parent is not deprived of parental rights, the latter's consent will be required for the child to obtain Norwegian citizenship. The consent is translated into Norwegian and notarized.

Interesting facts about Norway

1. The population of the state is only 5 million people. A third of all immigrants come from Asian countries.
2. It is impossible to find low quality products in the country. All products undergo thorough testing before hitting the shelves.
3. Domestic and international flights are very cheap.
4. Norway is not part of the European Union, but it is very closely connected with it. Norway is a member of the European Free Trade Association, thereby being part of the European Economic Area, and since 1996 has been an associate member of the Schengen area.