# Lost residence card in Norway or abroad: what should you do?

Find the right first step when your residence card is lost or stolen. Learn the difference between getting a new card in Norway and a D visa to return from abroad.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/mistet-oppholdskort-i-norge-utlandet
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-10-02T11:50:56.966+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-08T13:58:46.505009+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- In Norway: replacement card Use UDI's ordering process and attend the police appointment if required by your personal process.
- Abroad: D visa If you lack a valid residence card, contact a Norwegian foreign service mission and apply for an entry visa before returning.
- The passport is separate If your passport or Norwegian travel document is also missing, resolve that separately before travelling.

Lost your residence card in Norway? Apply for a new card through the police. If you lost it abroad, contact a Norwegian foreign service mission and apply for an entry visa (D visa) to return. A photo of the card or decision letter does not replace the card when travelling.

## Lost residence card: where are you now?

**Your location determines the first step.** The residence card is physical proof of a Norwegian residence permit or right of residence. Losing the card does not automatically mean the permit itself is gone. But without the card, it may be difficult to document your right at border control. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) therefore distinguishes between replacing the card in Norway and arranging entry from abroad. Information checked on 2 October 2026.

| Situation | First action | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Card is missing in Norway | Check that it is truly missing and follow UDI's process for a new card. | Book an appointment with the police if instructed. |
| Card was stolen in Norway | Report the theft to the police and keep the confirmation. | Apply for a replacement card. |
| Card is missing abroad | Contact the nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate. | Apply online for a D visa and attend the specified application centre. |
| Passport is also missing | Contact the authority that issued it, and a Norwegian foreign service mission if you have a Norwegian travel document. | Clarify both the travel document and entry visa. |

See [SamfunnPrep's guide to residence cards](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/oppholdskort-norge) for ordinary validity and renewal. If your permit is about to expire, also check the [renewal deadline](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/oppholdstillatelse-fornye-frister). A new plastic card does not extend a temporary permit.

## What should you do if the card is missing in Norway?

**Use UDI's “Order a new residence card” page.** It applies when a card is lost, stolen or damaged. Follow the online application and book a police appointment if instructed. Details of your permit are in the old card or decision letter. Bring the documents listed in your personal checklist. Do not submit a completely new residence application just to get a new card.

Write down when you last saw the card and where you have looked. If it was stolen, contact the police and save the report number. If it was merely misplaced, ask the police what kind of loss notification they require in your case. UDI distinguishes replacing a card from renewing the permit itself, and a fee may apply. Check the amount in the application before paying.

The card is normally sent by post after the police appointment. UDI states that replacement cards can take up to three weeks after your visit to the police. Check your postal address and make sure your name is on the mailbox. If the card does not arrive, contact the police district where you submitted the application. Ask the police to check the address and follow-up if it does not arrive.

## What should you do if the card is missing abroad?

**Start with the Norwegian embassy or consulate where you are staying.** UDI says that a person who lives in Norway but is abroad without a valid residence card must apply for an entry visa (D visa) to return. The online form asks you to explain what happened, and where and when the card disappeared. After submitting it, you receive a personal document list and instructions about which application centre to visit.

The embassy processes the D visa. According to UDI, you do not pay a UDI fee for a D visa if you already live in Norway and are abroad without your residence card, but an application centre may charge a service fee. Wait for specific instructions before buying a new ticket. Airlines and border authorities may reject documents that are not valid for entry.

After returning, apply for a new residence card through the police. A D visa is a way to enter; it is not a new residence card. If your permit has also expired, UDI's D visa page describes a special situation for people who have already applied to renew or obtain permanent residence. State both circumstances in the application; do not assume the lost card is the only issue to be assessed.

## If your passport or travel document is also lost

**Two lost documents may require two different solutions.** If you lost a passport from your home country, contact that country's passport authority or embassy about a replacement travel document. If you lost a Norwegian immigrant's passport or travel document for refugees, UDI says to contact the nearest Norwegian foreign service mission about an emergency passport for the journey home. UDI also says that a missing residence card may require a D visa. Ask the mission which documents you must arrange and in what order.

If you have protection in Norway, clarify the situation with UDI before contacting your home country's authorities about a passport. This may affect the basis for your protection. [The guide to travel documents and immigrant passports](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/reisebevis-utlendingspass-norge) explains the Norwegian documents. A passport copy may help you provide its number and confirm your identity, but it is not a valid travel document.

## Can you use a photo or decision letter instead?

**Do not assume that a copy or confirmation will get you across the border.** UDI says the residence card must be valid for international travel and that you also need a passport or other travel document. A decision letter explains your right to reside, but it is not the same travel documentation as a card and passport. UDI warns of problems boarding and returning without the card.

Example: Sara lives in Norway with permanent residence. She loses her card on holiday in Poland, but has a valid passport and a photo of the card on her phone. She contacts a Norwegian foreign service mission, completes the D visa application and states where and when the card was lost. She follows the embassy's instructions about appearing in person. Only after returning does she order a new residence card. The phone photo is useful for information, but she does not rely on it as a guarantee of entry.

## Short checklist before your next step

1. Find your decision letter and note which permit you have and when it expires.
2. Note the date and place where the card was lost. Report theft to the police and keep the confirmation.
3. If you are in Norway, open UDI's replacement-card application and follow the document list.
4. If you are abroad, contact a Norwegian foreign service mission and apply for a D visa as instructed by UDI.
5. Check your passport or other travel document separately.
6. After returning, order a replacement card and check your postal address and mailbox.

Use [SamfunnPrep's practical tools](https://samfunnprep.no/en/verktoy) to keep track of residence and important dates. This is a document matter to resolve with UDI, the police and a foreign service mission; if you are also preparing for the social studies test, you can [practise with SamfunnPrep](https://samfunnprep.no/register) once your documents are in order.

## FAQ

### Do I lose my residence permit when I lose the card?

Not automatically. The card is proof of your permit or right of residence. You still need to obtain a new card, and travelling back to Norway may be difficult without it.

### What should I do if I lost the card in Norway?

Follow UDI's process for a new residence card and the police instructions about appointments and documents. If it was stolen, report the theft and keep the confirmation.

### What if I lose my residence card abroad?

Contact the nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate. UDI says people who live in Norway and are abroad without a valid residence card must apply for a D visa to return.

### Is there a D visa fee if I live in Norway and my card is missing abroad?

UDI says this group does not pay a visa fee, but the application centre may charge a service fee. Check the amount in your personal application.

### Can I fly home with a photo of the card on my phone?

Do not rely on it. A photo, decision letter or receipt is not the same as a valid card and travel document for entry.

## Sources

- [Oppholdskort](https://www.udi.no/ord-og-begreper/oppholdskort/)
- [Bestille nytt oppholdskort](https://www.udi.no/skal-fornye/erstatte-oppholdskort-eller-etikett-i-passet/)
- [Innreisevisum (D-visum)](https://www.udi.no/ord-og-begreper/innreisevisum-d-visum/)
- [Ofte stilte spørsmål om reisedokumenter](https://www.udi.no/svarsider/svarside-reisedokumenter/)
- [Reise til utlandet: du trenger gyldig oppholdskort](https://www.udi.no/viktige-meldinger/har-du-planlagt-a-reise-til-utlandet/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Lost residence card in Norway or abroad: what should you do?", SamfunnPrep, 2026-10-02T11:50:56.966+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/mistet-oppholdskort-i-norge-utlandet