Table of Contents
What is dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship Norway or having a dual nationality means that you are a citizen of two countries at the same time. You have the same responsibilities and rights in both countries. The rules about dual citizenship can be different in every country so in some countries they allow dual citizenship and in other countries they don’t. Dual citizenship means you are entitled to have two passports. You have the same rights and obligations in both countries and are entitled to receive consular aid and help from the authorities of both countries.
Can you apply for Norwegian citizenship?
This depends on certain criteria. You can apply for Norwegian citizenship if you need to meet a few criteria, like your current nationality, if you have one Norwegian parent but don’t live in Norway, your immigration status, if you have work in Norway etc.
Is it hard to get citizenship in Norway?
This depends on your situation. It can be a time-consuming process and might not be easy.
If you have lived in Norway or other Nordic countries for at least 7 years continuously it is possible to apply for Norwegian citizenship. Are you married to a Norwegian citizen or registered partners it is also possible to apply or if you have lived together with your spouse for the last three years.
You need to speak the Norwegian language as well and have a valid Permanent Residence Permit.
If you are half Norwegian and don’t live in Norway it is also possible to apply for keeping/ renewing your Norwegian citizenship. You can apply at https;//udi.no and contact UDI at https://www.udi.no/en/contact-us/
Does Norway recognize dual citizenship?
Yes, Norway recognizes dual citizenship if you for example are Norwegian and live in another country.
Previously, it was not possible to keep your Norwegian citizenship if you would live in another country and want to have the nationality of the country you live in. You would lose the Norwegian citizenship if you would want to become a citizen of the country you are living in. However, as from Januari 2020 it is possible for a Norwegian to keep the Norwegian citizenship without losing the Norwegian passport by becoming a citizen of the country you are currently live in. You can check the rules at https://www.udi.no/en/important-messages/news-regarding-dual-citizenship/
This means that your home country must also allow dual citizenship. So if you live in another country than Norway this country needs to allow dual citizenship as well. If this country does not allow dual citizenship , you need to give up your Norwegian citizenship.
Can I get Norwegian citizenship by descent?
Citizenship by birth or descent is not possible in Norway, unless you have a Norwegian parent. If you are a child of a foreign-born couple you do not automatically become a Norwegian citizen. It is also not possible to get Norwegian citizenship by birth if your grandparents or other relatives are Norwegian.
Norwegian by descent
if you are Norwegian by descent/ birth because you have one Norwegian parent and you don’t live in Norway it is still possible to have dual citizenship. For example, if you live in the Netherlands and have one Norwegian parent and never lived in Norway it can still be possible to keep renew your dual citizenship. You may read on other websites that it is not possible to renew your Norwegian dual citizenship after the age of 22 but they haven’t mentioned the exceptions if you are Norwegian by descent and want to keep your Norwegian dual citizenship.
I have written an e-book about the application process if you are half Norwegian, never lived in Norway and you are older than 22. In this step-by-step guide you will learn everything about the process, the criteria and exceptions you need in order to keep your Norwegian citizenship.
Can I get a Norwegian passport if my father is Norwegian?
Yes. You are automatically a Norwegian citizen by birth if you have a Norwegian father or mother. It doesn’t matter if you are born in Norway of abroad, if one of your parents is Norwegian you are a Norwegian citizen by birth.
a child born to a Norwegian mother or father acquires Norwegian citizenship automatically at birth. This applies no matter if the child is born in Norway or abroad, and no matter if the parents were married or not.
How do I apply for Norwegian dual citizenship?
To start your application for dual citizenship in Norway you go the the website of https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/citizenship/. You start this process online at the website of the UDI and it depends on your situation what documents you need to hand in.
After you have completed the online application and collected all the required documents, paid for the Application fee, you need to hand in the documents at a Norwegian consulate in your country. Via the website of the UDI , you can make the appointment online.
What documents do you need to apply for Norwegian citizenship?
It depends on your situation (applying for dual Norwegian or just Norwegian citizenship, age, time spent in Norway, immigration status) what document you need to hand in to apply.
In general these documents below are standard to hand in at the UDi:
- current passport;
- birth certificate;
- marriage or partnership certificate (only when you are married);
- proof of residence (this can be found in your passport or a registration letter at your community;
What is the waiting time for Norwegian citizenship?
There is not an exact time frame regarding to the waiting time. It can vary from 2 months until 12 months. The waiting time starts from the day you deliver the documents to the Norwegian consulate. You can check the waiting times at https://www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/guide-to-case-processing-times-for-applications-for-norwegian-citizenship/.
In case the UDI needs more information or documentation this can lead to an extend in the processing time.
Does the United States allow dual citizenship?
Yes. However, please note that just because the United states allows dual citizenship it doesn’t mean your country of origin allows that too. if you are for example a Norwegian who also wants to get the American passport it is possible. But other countries like India or China do not tolerate for example a naturalized American in their country. This might lead that you could lose your citizenship automatically in those countries upon becoming a U.S citizen.
Can you be a dual citizen in the US and Norway?
Yes. As mentioned before, due to a new rule starting Januari 2020 you will not lose your Norwegian citizenship automatically if you become a citizen of another country.
How strong is Norwegian passport?
Strong. The ranking of the Norwegian passport is high. According to the Henley Passport Index the Norwegian passport ranks 7th overall in terms of travel freedom. With your Norwegian passport you have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 185 countries and territories.
Do you need to speak Norwegian to live in Norway?
No. it is not obligated to learn Norwegian to live in Norway. As a foreigner who has a temporary job it is not required to speak Norwegian. The majority of the Norwegians can speak English but it limits your job opportunities if you don’t speak Norwegian. However, if you are going to apply for Norwegian citizenship as a foreigner it is obligated to pass a language test (Bergen test). If you are going to apply for dual citizenship because one of your parents is Norwegian you don’t need to pass this language test because you are Norwegian by descent.
Does the UK allow dual citizenship with Norway?
Yes. It is allowed to have dual citizenship in the UK. So you can be both a citizen of another country and be a British citizen as well. No need to apply for dual citizenship. You keep your British citizenship and apply for foreign or in this case Norwegian citizenship.
Can I have a British and Norwegian passport?
Yes. As mentioned before, dual citizenship is allowed in the UK so you are entitled to have 2 passports.