Norway: Siltanews – News Desk
The Justice Ministry wants to tighten language requirements for applicants seeking to obtain permanent residency in Norway.
Applicants must master A2 language levels instead of A1, as the government aims to improve the integration of this category into society.
Non-EU/EEA nationals under temporary protection who want to obtain permanent residency in Norway will also be impacted by this measure.
Foreigners looking to obtain permanent residence permits in Norway will have to reach an A2 proficiency in speaking the Norwegian language instead of A1 as it is currently set.
This measure was proposed by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and aims to improve the integration of foreigners into Norwegian society, Schengen.
To ensure good integration, it is important to set requirements for both Norwegian language skills and knowledge of Norwegian society. We therefore propose to tighten these now. This comes as a series of several measures to ensure that we continue to have controlled immigration to Norway.
The initiators of this measure believe that foreigners should master a certain level of Norwegian language before obtaining the right to become permanent residents in the country.
The authorities have also proposed that the requirements for proficiency in the Norwegian language should no longer be linked to the integration regulations.
Instead, requirements for oral Norwegian proficiency and passing a civics test for permanent residence permit applicants should be specified in the immigration regulations.
By making such changes, the Norwegian Justice Ministry believes that the process will be streamlined and applicants will have it easier to complete their application.
In addition, the authorities propose that non-EU/EEA migrants who fall under temporary protection be subject to the same rules. This indicates that individuals in this category who want to obtain permanent residence permits in Norway should adhere to the same language requirements.
The proposal means that migrant workers from countries outside the EU/EEA and foreigners who have had temporary collective protection, but who have transferred to a residence permit that forms the basis for permanent residence, must meet the same requirements.
The Ministry submitting this proposal has addressed all ministries, in addition to several other bodies, in a consultation letter, requiring them to come forward with any changes regarding the matter.
The proposal will be open for consultation until February 18, 2025, when it is most likely to move to higher authorities and be discussed further.
The government has made several changes regarding migration this year, including measures to hire more refugees in Norway and introduce restrictions for single parents over 60 seeking family reunification.