Have you received a residence permit but not the residence card by post? Read the decision letter first: some people must attend an appointment with the police before the card is ordered. If it has been ordered and still has not arrived, check your address and mailbox and contact the police district that handled the case.
Residence card has not arrived: was it ordered?
A positive decision does not always mean the card is on its way. The police order the residence card. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) explains that some people receive the card without a new appointment, while others must book one with the police. The applicable process is stated in the decision letter and on UDI's page for your permit. Information checked on 2 October 2026.
| What you know | What to check | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|
| The decision is positive, but you have not attended a police appointment | Does it say you must attend for a photo and fingerprints? | The police for appointment questions. |
| You attended the police appointment | Was the card actually ordered, and is the address correct? | The same police district. |
| You were supposed to receive the card without another appointment | Were your biometrics and earlier documents already in order? | Follow the decision letter; contact the police if unsure. |
| The police say the card was sent | Name on the mailbox and postal address with Posten. | Local police district if it does not arrive. |
SamfunnPrep explains in the guide to residence cards what the card shows. It is proof of the residence permit, not the permit itself. If you have been granted permanent residence, it is still important to get the card, especially before travelling.
Who must first attend an appointment with the police?
Follow the instructions for your application type. UDI says people who applied from abroad usually have to book an appointment after arriving in Norway. This also applies to some people who have an expired Norwegian immigrant's passport or travel document that has not yet been handed in to the police, or when someone else submitted the application under a power of attorney. For a first application for protection, the police may summon you; you may not need to book the appointment yourself.
If you applied from Norway and provided a photo and fingerprints with your application, the police may order the card without another appointment in some cases. UDI explicitly states this in the decision or information about your permit. Someone else's experience is not a reliable answer for your case. If you are told to attend, book through “My applications” or contact the local police district as UDI describes. Do not wait for a card that has not yet been ordered.
When you attend, check the name and address the police have on file. Tell them about a move or change of postal address before the card is sent. An incorrect address may cause the mail to be returned. Bring the identification and documents requested by the police.
How long should you wait after ordering?
Count from when the police ordered the card or your appointment, not just from the decision date. UDI uses different time estimates on its pages: for some permits, “at least 20 working days,” and for ordering a replacement card, “up to three weeks” after the police appointment. Working days are not the same as calendar days. The time may also depend on your case type. Read the information for your permit and contact the police if the expected time has passed.
Do not book international travel on the assumption that the card will arrive on a particular day. UDI recommends a valid residence card and passport for travel; it does not issue a confirmation that automatically replaces the card for airlines and border control. The travel guide provides an overview, but if the matter is urgent, contact the police or UDI about your specific situation.
Example: Amir receives a decision on 1 September. He reads that he must attend the police and gets an appointment on 18 September. He should not count the waiting time from 1 September: the card may only be ordered at the police appointment. If he moves on 20 September, he must ensure that the police and Posten have the correct postal address. Otherwise the card may be returned.
Check these three things about your mailbox
The correct address is not enough if your name is missing. UDI says Posten does not deliver residence cards when the recipient's name is not on the mailbox. The card is then returned to the police. Check these three specific points:
- Postal address: Is it registered correctly with Posten? Your National Population Register address and actual postal address may differ.
- Name: Is the full name of the recipient clearly shown on the mailbox? For a shared mailbox, all recipients' names must be listed.
- New recipient: If you have just moved to Norway or to a new address, check whether Posten asks you to register as a new mail recipient.
UDI refers to Posten's service for checking your postal address and to its separate registration for new recipients. Also check that the police have your correct phone number and email in case they need to contact you. Do not send your national identity number or a passport copy in ordinary email unless the police ask you to use a secure channel.
Who should you contact if the card is still missing?
Contact the local police district where you submitted your application. This is UDI's direct instruction when a residence card has not arrived by post. Tell them which permit you received, the decision date, the date you attended or were told the card was ordered, and the address where you expected it. Ask whether the card has been produced, sent or returned. The police can tell you whether to collect it, confirm your address or order a new one.
You can use this short message through the police contact channel: “I received a decision on my residence permit on [date]. I attended the police appointment on [date] / was told the card would be sent without another appointment. I have not yet received my residence card. My name is on the mailbox and my postal address is [address]. Could you check whether the card was ordered, sent or returned, and what I should do next?” Use your case number through a secure channel when possible.
If the police think the card was lost in the post, ask about the replacement process. Do not assume a card that never arrived is handled the same way as a card you lost after receiving it. Costs and the need for a new appointment may depend on what happened. The relevant police unit can advise you about your case.
What applies while you wait?
Your rights follow the decision and its conditions, while the card is documentation. UDI explains how lawful residence may be confirmed while the card is missing; employers and public agencies can ask UDI about your status. For some work permits, UDI says you may start work once you have attended the police appointment and the card has been ordered. Read your own decision before assuming this applies to you.
International travel is different: a decision or receipt is not an ordinary travel document. Delay your trip or clarify the risk with UDI. If you lost the card only after receiving it, follow UDI's replacement-card process instead.
SamfunnPrep offers practical tools for residence and dates. Contact the police about your specific card. Once the practical issue is resolved, you can practise social studies with SamfunnPrep if you need the test later.
