When applying for temporary residence permits in Norway for work or study purposes, applicants must satisfy what Norwegian immigration authorities call "return preconditions." This assessment evaluates the likelihood that an applicant will return to their home country when their permit expires. This article explains how these return preconditions are evaluated and how they affect different categories of residence permits under the Norwegian Immigration Regulations.
General Principles of Return Assessment
Return preconditions are assessed in applications for permits that do not form the basis for permanent residence in Norway. The underlying assumption is that the permit holder should leave Norway when their permit expires unless they have another basis for continued stay.
Return assessments are not conducted for:
Applications for permits as skilled workers or self-employed persons (as these permits form the basis for permanent residence)
Applicants who are citizens of visa-free countries
Key Factors in Return Assessment
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) bases return assessments on three main factors:
1. General Conditions in the Applicant's Country or Region
This includes economic, social, and political conditions in the applicant's home country or country of residence. Authorities consider:
Whether there is an ongoing conflict situation
The number of asylum applications to Norway and Schengen from the country
Living conditions
Previous experience with applications from the country or region
Norwegian authorities use visa practice country categories (green, yellow, orange, and red groups) as a starting point for this assessment.
If the applicant has a residence permit in a third country, conditions in that country and the duration of the permit there will also be considered.
2. Individual Circumstances of the Applicant
This evaluates the applicant's ties to their home country or country of residence. Factors that strengthen the likelihood of return include:
Family in the home country
Property ownership
Employment or professional positions
Other social or economic obligations
Documented previous travel, especially to Schengen countries
Factors that weaken return likelihood include:
Previous applications for protection (asylum) or other residence permits
Close family members who have emigrated or shown intention to stay in Norway
Negative experiences with previous applicants who had the same reference person
3. Purpose of the Permit and Other Considerations
Different permit categories carry different weight in the assessment:
Higher education studies or work requiring specialized competence are generally viewed more favorably
Lower-level studies and unskilled work are given less weight
Social and political considerations may also favor granting a permit despite weak return preconditions, particularly for exchange programs initiated or supported by Norwegian authorities.
Specific Practices for Different Permit Categories
Seasonal Workers
Green group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Yellow group countries: Permits generally granted, except for countries with specific negative experiences (such as India)
Orange group countries: Permits generally not granted unless the applicant has significant ties to their home country
Red group countries: Applications typically not approved
Other Workers and Service Providers
Russian Citizens from the Barents Region
Russia is in the orange group. Permits may be granted if the applicant has significant ties to their home country or other circumstances suggesting they will return.
Seafarers on Foreign-Registered Vessels
Return assessment rarely prevents permits for seafarers on foreign-registered vessels transporting goods or passengers between Norwegian ports.
Service Providers and Workers on the Continental Shelf
For skilled workers, especially those with higher education, permits are rarely denied based on return assessment.
Students
Regular Students
The assessment varies based on the study level and country category:
Green group countries:
Doctoral, Master's, Bachelor's, and secondary school studies: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Yellow group countries:
Doctoral and Master's studies: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Bachelor's and secondary school studies: Permits generally granted, except for countries with specific negative experiences
Orange group countries:
Doctoral studies: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Master's studies: Permits generally granted, with exceptions based on negative experiences
Bachelor's studies: Permits generally not granted unless there are significant ties to home country
Secondary school: Permits generally not granted, with exceptions for exchange programs
Red group countries:
Doctoral studies: Permits generally not granted unless significant ties exist, with exceptions for exchange programs
Master's studies: Permits generally not granted unless significant ties exist
Bachelor's and secondary school studies: Applications typically not approved
Students at Religious Schools and Folk High Schools
These applications face stricter assessment due to lower admission requirements and less formal academic recognition:
Green group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Yellow group countries: Permits generally granted, with exceptions (e.g., India)
Orange and red group countries: Applications typically not approved
Skilled Workers Requiring Additional Education or Training
Green and yellow group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Orange group countries: Permits generally granted if the applicant has at least a bachelor's degree
Red group countries: Permits generally not granted unless there are significant ties to home country
Researchers with Independent Funding
Due to their high qualification level, these applications rarely face rejection based on return assessment:
Green, yellow, and orange group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Red group countries: Permits generally not granted unless there are significant ties to home country, with exceptions for exchange programs or particularly sought-after expertise
Interns
Green group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Yellow group countries: Permits generally granted
Orange group countries: Permits generally not granted unless there are significant ties to home country, with exceptions for master's degree interns
Red group countries: Applications typically not approved
Musicians, Artists, Cultural Workers, and Organization Staff
Green group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Yellow group countries: Permits generally granted
Orange group countries: Permits generally not granted unless there are significant ties to home country
Red group countries: Applications typically not approved
Applications through public exchange programs receive more favorable consideration.
NOREC Participants
Green and yellow group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Orange group countries: Permits generally granted
Red group countries: Permits generally not granted unless there are significant ties to home country
Au Pairs
Green group countries: Return assessment does not prevent permit approval
Yellow group countries: Permits generally granted, with exceptions (e.g., India)
Orange group countries: Permits generally not granted unless there are significant ties to home country
Red group countries: Applications typically not approved
Conclusion
The assessment of return preconditions is a crucial element in Norwegian immigration policy for temporary residence permits. While the system follows clear guidelines based on country categorization and permit type, individual circumstances and ties to the home country can significantly influence the outcome of an application.
Applicants should be prepared to document their connections to their home country and their intention to return after their permitted stay in Norway. The higher the qualification level and the more specialized the purpose of stay, the more favorable the assessment is likely to be.
Understanding these return preconditions can help potential applicants assess their eligibility and prepare appropriate documentation when applying for work or study permits in Norway.
