Comments on: How to Get Norwegian Citizenship (Updated for 2025)

By: John Ali

John Ali — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:28:47 +0000

As of September 2025, it takes around 30 months (2.5 years) just to receive an answer, whether positive or negative. Such a waiting period is unreasonable and inhumane.

UDI refers to various system-related challenges to explain the backlog, but from my perspective, it feels like an indirect way to discourage immigrants from keeping hope in the system. I also know that many applicants with Western backgrounds often have their cases processed automatically within weeks.

This raises a key concern: the criteria for automatic versus caseworker-based processing are not defined transparently. Is the decision influenced by a name, by skin colour, or by arbitrary computer logic? The lack of clarity creates mistrust.

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:33:52 +0000

In reply to Kristian O. It's not about odds, it's about whether you meet the rules or not. They are clearly laid out here so it should be easy to see if you are a Norwegian citizen or not: https://udi.no/en/word-definitions/are-you-a-norwegian-citizen/ - this tool also tells you what to do next.

By: Kristian O

Kristian O — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:23:41 +0000

Greetings,

I was born in the US (in 1974) to a Norwegian father and an American mother. They were married at the time of my birthday and my father remained a Norwegian until the day he died. I always considered myself “Norwegian American” but I never knew until recently that I might have a claim to dual citizenship. I have been trying to navigate the UDI website, but I am not sure where I can take my documentation. A Norwegian consulate? An embassy? Do I have to travel to Norway? Half my family is in Norway. I have been there 7+ times and they have visited me in the states. I have a fully remote job and they are okay with me moving there.

I am initially just wanting to establish dual citizenship and to get a Norwegian passport. What are my odds of success?

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 06:36:03 +0000

In reply to Amelya. You can use the application tool at www.udi.no to figure this out.

By: Amelya

Amelya — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:31 +0000

Hello! So, I’m hoping to become a Norwegian citizen to live with my mother in Norway. My mother and two of my sisters are Norwegian citizens.
Though I was born and raised in California, my mother wasn’t married to my father when I was born and my mother has dual citizenship from her mother who came to Norway and had her unwed. My mother is pretty convinced that I also have dual citizenship but I am uncertain.
If not, would I be able to apply for citizenship with three people to sponsor me?

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:25:19 +0000

Hi, where can you take the norwegian language test so it’s accepted by UDI?
Thanks!

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 06:25:52 +0000

In reply to stephen k. Applying for a passport is a different process. You start that once you've become a citizen, and that just takes a few weeks. Application time for citizenship varies massively, but it has been longer lately because of the change in law to allow dual citizenship, which led to more applications. The UDI website publishes its latest expected waiting times.

By: stephen k

stephen k — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 12:11:04 +0000

How long does it take to get an application approved (from submitting to receiving passport). I read somewhere that it could be 24months?

By: Katrina

Katrina — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:21:56 +0000

In reply to Sarah Christine Brummitt. Hi Sarah, where you ever able to get a Norwegian passport as I am in the identical position! and am trying to see how to exactly apply for dual nationalities etc.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 01:32:49 +0000

In reply to Sarah Christine Brummitt. Brexit is a good thing...remember that!