Norway Considers Time Limit on Revoking Citizenship and Permanent Residency

Proposal to Limit Revocation of Norwegian Citizenship and Permanent Residency

An organization in Norway has proposed introducing a statute of limitations on the revocation of Norwegian citizenship and permanent residency (PMR). Currently, the Norwegian state can annul these statuses without clear time limits, potentially decades after they were initially granted. This creates uncertainty for individuals who have lived in Norway for a long time and consider their status secure.

The core of the proposal is that if an individual has held Norwegian citizenship or permanent residency for several years without issues, the state should not be able to revoke that status retroactively. This would provide legal certainty, ensuring that after a specific period, one's status becomes inviolable. For those relocating to Norway, this means avoiding prolonged uncertainty after receiving their documents.

Should the Norwegian parliament support this initiative, the rules would change for everyone—both current citizens and those who will obtain status in the future. While it wouldn't make revocation impossible altogether, it would establish a clear boundary beyond which the state loses the right to annul its decision.

• Currently, Norway has no statute of limitations for revoking citizenship or permanent residency; the state can do so at any time, even 20 years after issuance.
• The organization proposes establishing a time limit to provide legal protection against sudden annulment for individuals who have lived in the country for many years.
• If adopted, this proposal would create a more predictable environment for immigrants and relocants, as they would know after what period their status can no longer be revoked.