Loss of citizenship because of non-residence in Norway
Eidsvollsbygningen. Photo: Petter Foss/MFA Norway
A person who acquired Norwegian citizenship at birth, but who has not resided in Norway for a total period of two years or in Norway and other Nordic countries for a total of seven years shall lose his or her Norwegian citizenship upon reaching the age of 22. The period of residence is defined as a continuous stay of not less than seven months.
Exception
This does not apply to a person who will become stateless as a result of the loss. In other words, only Norwegian citizens who hold citizenship of another country in addition to their Norwegian citizenship can lose their Norwegian citizenship on reaching the age of 22 years.
Application for retention of Norwegian citizenship
A person with sufficient connection to Norway may, however, apply for retention of his/her Norwegian citizenship. Such application must be submitted before the applicant reaches the age of 22 years. Applications which are submitted too late may be processed if the applicant cannot be blamed for his/her failure to meet the deadline, or if the loss of citizenship would be unreasonable.
Applications for children may only be lodged by parents jointly or by the parent who has sole parental responsibility. If the parents have been deprived of parental responsibility or if the parents are dead, the guardian shall act on behalf of the child. In the case of children who have reached the age of 12, their consent to the application is required.
It will be decided on the basis of a concrete overall assessment whether the applicant has the necessary connection. Among other factors, emphasis will be placed on whether the applicant has had a passport issued that is valid beyond the age of 22 years. Applicants who have resided in Norway for a total of six months before reaching the age of 22 or who reside in Norway, are deemed to have sufficient connection.
Applications shall be submitted to the police or, if the applicant is living abroad, to a Norwegian foreign service mission (embassy, general consulate). Applications will be decided by the Directorate of Immigration.
Applications shall be filed by completing form GP-7054 B (Application for retention of Norwegian citizenship). Forms can be ordered from the police or a foreign service mission.
Source: www.udi.no