A family does not have to submit all applications for permanent residence on the same day. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) assesses the conditions for each applicant. So make a separate timeline for each adult and child before booking an appointment.
Does the whole family have to apply for permanent residence at the same time?
No. Family members may meet the requirements on different dates. UDI has separate application routes for adults, children under 18 and children born in Norway who are under one year old. This was checked with UDI on 1 October 2026.
Having the same address or family relationship does not automatically mean the same residence period or test result. What matters is what applies to each applicant. Use UDI's overview of permanent residence requirements as background, but also open UDI's tailored application page for each person.
| Question | Check for each person |
|---|---|
| Permit | Does the current permit provide a basis for permanent residence? |
| Residence period | When did the qualifying period start, and has the stay been continuous? |
| Age | Does UDI's route for children under 18 or for adults apply? |
| Tests and income | Which requirements apply to this particular person? |
| Expiry | When must the temporary permit be renewed if the person waits? |
Why might application dates differ?
Because start dates, types of permits and ages may differ. UDI normally requires three or five years of continuous residence for permanent residence. The permit you hold when you apply determines which residence period requirement applies, and the qualifying permits must also have met their conditions during the period. The guide to residence time when changing permits explains how to make a timeline.
Adults also have their own self-support and test requirements, with possible exemptions. From 1 September 2025, UDI says applicants aged 18–67 must have passed an oral Norwegian test at least at A2 level and a social studies test in a language they understand. UDI assesses children through a separate route. So do not simply copy an adult's document list for a child.
An applicant who is ready does not automatically need to wait for another family member who lacks sufficient residence time or a test. Conversely, one person's approved permit does not make the other family members permanent residents. Each person must maintain their own residence status.
Three family situations: who applies when?
These examples show how you can plan. They are not decisions. UDI decides each case based on that person's documents.
1. Spouses arrived on different dates. Amir received a work permit in January 2023. Leila received a family immigration permit in September 2024. If their permits count towards residence time and the three-year rule applies, they do not reach the residence requirement at the same time. Amir can check whether he can apply first. Leila checks her own start date and renews her permit if she must wait. Her start date does not move back to Amir's arrival.
2. Parent and teenager. A parent is ready to apply, while the 17-year-old daughter arrived later. The family checks the daughter's own residence requirement and UDI's route for children under 18. They also set a reminder before her 18th birthday, so they can review the age limit and any new requirements before submitting the application. The parent's application date does not automatically determine the daughter's date.
3. An adult has not passed the test. Two partners have the same residence period, but only one has passed the required test. The person who meets all the conditions can check whether it is time to apply. The other books the test and checks when their temporary permit must be renewed. The social studies test and language choice can help with choosing the right test.
What applies to children born in Norway?
Children born in Norway do not automatically get permanent residence because their parents have it. UDI has a specific rule for children under one year old: the parents' status or applications, their residence in Norway and the timing of the child's application must meet the conditions. The child's application must be submitted before the first birthday to use this route. If the conditions are not met, UDI tells the family to look at the rules for children under 18.
This is a specific situation and should not be treated as the rule for older children. Read the tailored UDI page for the child before choosing an application type. If you are unsure which permit the child has or needs, contact UDI or the police.
How to make one overview without mixing up the applications
Write one row for each person. A simple table in a document is enough:
- Note the date of birth, current permit and expiry date.
- Add the date the permit was granted, the date the person arrived in Norway and any changes to the basis for residence.
- Check UDI's rules for residence time, stays abroad and the permit conditions.
- Mark which documents about income, tests or exemptions apply to that person.
- Set a reminder to check renewal if it is not yet possible to apply for permanent residence.
On SamfunnPrep, you can use the residence-time tool to help organise the overview. The result is a planning aid, not UDI's assessment. SamfunnPrep also has explanations about tests, but test results must be documented with an official certificate.
Next step: Open UDI's tailored application page for each applicant. If a permit is close to expiring, clarify renewal before waiting for another person's residence time or tests. If you want to practise social studies while planning, you can try SamfunnPrep for free.
