Residence permit

For nationals of other countries:

Nationals of EU/EEA countries do not need a residence permit to stay or work in Norway. However, all nationals of EU/EEA countries who want to stay for longer than three months must register with the police.
Nationals of non-EU/EEA countries who want to work in Norway or to stay for longer than 90 days need a residence permit.

The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) normally processes applications for a residence permit.

Information for applicants in Lebanon: Please be informed that as of 26th September 2024 VFS Global in Beirut will not be receiving applications for visas or residence permits to Norway until further notice. Kindly note that it is possible to submit applications for visas and residence permits at one of the other VFS Global application centers in the region.

Before you apply

Find out what type of residence permit you need, e.g. in connection with work, studies, family immigration or to stay in Norway as an au pair. You will find information on the different types of residence permit on UDI’s website.

In order to apply for a residence permit from Lebanon you must either be a citizen of Lebanon or Syria or have a residence permit in Lebanon or Syria. You must have had the residence permit for at least six months before you apply for a residence permit in Norway.

Gather the necessary documentation

You must gather all the documents in the relevant checklist on UDI’s website. Some of the documents must be provided by your contact person in Norway; others you will have to obtain yourself.

For family immirgration, please check this list for which documents on the checklist that must be legalized and/or submitted in original. The list also has the names of these documents in Arabic.

Online registration and payment

Before you can hand in your passport and other documentation at a VFS application centre or a Norwegian diplomatic or consular mission, you must register your application online and pay the fee. If this is the first time you are registering an application in the portal, you will need to create a user account first.

Once you have completed the application form online and paid the fee, you will receive confirmation by email with a copy of your application summary, a signature letter (cover letter) and payment receipt attached. You need to print the signature letter, sign it, and submit it together with the other required documentation.

Go to online application

Once you have registered, you will receive confirmation by email, with a cover letter attached. The cover letter will confirm that you have filled in the application form and paid the fee. You need to print this letter and submit it together with the other required documentation.

Application fees

You can find more information about the application fees at UDI's web page. The fee is paid with a debit/credit card in the Application Portal.

In Lebanon, applications are received by the external service provider VFS Global Beirut, which charges a service fee of 30 EURO per application. This fee is paid in cash at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre.

Handing in the documents

You must bring your passport and all the documents listed in the checklist with you. You will find the relevant checklist when you register your application online. You can also find it on www.udi.no/en (checklists).

We will contact you if we need more information.

In Beirut: VFS Global’s office, Hamra, Gefinor Center, Bloc A, 1st flr, Beirut, Lebanon. Contact: info.norleb@vfshelpline.com Phone: +009611743643. https://www.vfsglobal.com/Norway/Lebanon/

Welcome to VFS Global | vfsglobal

For opening hours, please check the VFS website.

NB! Accompanying children under 18 years shall meet at the Visa Application Centre together with the main applicant (for example their mother or father).

Processing time

Result

You will be notified by email or by telephone when your application has been processed. The Embassy in Amman will then give you all the necessary details on how you need to proceed.

If you have been granted a residence permit, an entry visa will be affixed in your passport. This allows you to travel to Norway.

If your application has been rejected, you will receive a written explanation as to why it was rejected.

If you have granted a person in Norway power of attorney, they will also receive a copy of the decision. A person with power of attorney may then also appeal on your behalf.

On arrival

When you cross the border into the Schengen area, you will have to present:

your passport with the entry visa sticker (if you need an entry visa)
documentation showing the purpose of your stay

Once you know when you will be arriving in Norway, you need to make an appointment with the police in order to obtain a residence card. You must pre-book this appointment, normally through the Application Portal, and the appointment has to be either during the first seven days you are in Norway, or the first available appointment you can find.

More information on residence cards, including how to book an appointment