Renew your residence permit before it expires if you plan to stay in Norway and the permit can be renewed. To keep the same rights while you wait, the application usually has to be submitted no later than one month before expiry. What “submitted” means depends on whether you send everything digitally or attend an appointment with the police.
When should you renew your residence permit?
Try to start two to three months before the expiry date if you need an appointment with the police. For several common work, study and family permits, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) says a complete renewal application should be submitted no later than one month before the current permit expires. These rules were checked on 1 October 2026. Always check the page for your permit type.
| Situation | What you need to check |
|---|---|
| You can submit the full application digitally with electronic ID | The form, payment and required documentation must be submitted through the digital service. |
| You must attend an appointment with the police | Book an appointment well in advance. The application is normally considered submitted when you attend and hand in the documents. |
| No police appointment is available before the deadline | Check UDI's rule on online registration at least 37 calendar days before expiry. |
| The permit cannot be renewed | You need to investigate another lawful basis; do not automatically choose “renewal.” |
This applies to ordinary temporary permits. EU/EEA residence rights, Brexit rules and collective protection follow separate schemes. If you already have permanent residence, it is usually the residence card that you renew, not the permit itself. Read the requirements for permanent residence if you are considering applying for it instead.
When has a digital application actually been submitted?
For several permit types, you can renew with an electronic ID (eID) and upload documents. UDI normally considers the application submitted when you have sent the form, paid the fee and uploaded the required documents. Do this no later than one month before expiry if you want to keep the same rights while waiting for a decision, under the rules for your permit.
If you use a username and password and must attend the police, online registration alone normally does not count as submission. You must attend and hand in the documents. UDI therefore recommends registering and booking an appointment early. Check UDI's confirmation for the place and time of your appointment and your personal document checklist.
The fee varies by permit type and age and may change. Use the amount shown in UDI's application service when you apply. Do not use a fixed fee from an older article. You also do not need to attach the same standard package of photos or documents for every category; your personal checklist is what counts.
What if you cannot get an appointment before your permit expires?
UDI describes a special rule when there is a long wait for a police appointment. If you have a renewable permit and have registered an application for renewal or permanent residence online at least 37 calendar days before expiry, you may keep the same rights granted by your current permit even if you have not yet attended the police appointment. Read UDI's page on booking an appointment and attending in person for all the conditions.
If you applied later than this, UDI says it must assess specifically whether you can still have the same rights. Do not treat the receipt as automatic proof of a right to work. If an employer or public office asks for documentation, UDI explains how you can use your residence card, decision and receipt together, or request confirmation.
Example: Your permit expires on 1 December. If you must attend the police and no appointment is available before the deadline, check the 37-day rule already in October. A test place in November or an unconfirmed request for an appointment does not change the expiry date. If you are unsure which date applies, contact UDI with your decision and application receipt.
Which rights do you have while your case is being processed?
When an application to renew a renewable permit has been submitted correctly and on time, you normally keep the same rights as your permit granted while the case is processed. If the old permit limited your right to work, that right does not automatically expand while you wait. If you have changed employer, place of study or family situation, you may need a new permit or a different type of application.
An expired permit or residence card may cause problems at border control, even if you have the right to stay in Norway while your case is being processed. UDI therefore recommends avoiding travel abroad without a valid residence card. Also see the rules for travel outside Norway with a residence permit.
If you have applied for permanent residence, the temporary permit is not automatically irrelevant. UDI says you must continue to meet the conditions for the qualifying permit until a decision is made. If the case is sent to UDI, the police should renew the temporary permit according to UDI's information if you meet the conditions. Follow the instructions you receive and check that you actually have a valid basis for residence while you wait.
What if you are late?
Contact UDI as soon as you realise that the deadline has passed. Explain which permit you have, its expiry date, when you registered and paid, whether you uploaded the documents, and any police appointment date. UDI must assess your rights based on your specific situation. A late application does not automatically give you the same right to work and stay as an application submitted on time.
Do not assume you can work or travel freely just because an application has been registered. If you have received a refusal or no longer meet a condition of your permit, read the decision and seek individual guidance. This may also affect continuous residence before permanent residence; SamfunnPrep's guide to residence time explains this limit.
Practical checklist before submitting
- Find your decision, expiry date and whether the permit can be renewed.
- Select the correct permit type on UDI's official renewal page.
- Read the document list made for your application and collect what is actually required.
- Clarify whether the full application can be submitted digitally or whether you must attend the police.
- Pay, submit and save the receipt. If you must attend, keep the appointment confirmation.
- Check your mail and messages for requests for more documents. Report relevant changes.
If you have not passed the test required for permanent residence, see what to do if your permit expires before you pass the test. You can use SamfunnPrep to practise once your residence case is under control. Try SamfunnPrep for free.
