Return to Norway after violating the conditions of residence permit renewal

One of the main disadvantages of a temporary residence permit is the need to renew it regularly. Moreover, most residence permits require the holder to stay in the country for at least 183 days a year; otherwise, the renewal may be denied. The most frustrating aspect of this situation is that a denial can result from something as simple as a border official forgetting to stamp your passport upon entry. Today's case highlights one such situation.

Our Heroine

Galina, 43 years old, from Ukraine.

In 2010, during a conference on foreign language teaching methodologies in Kyiv, Galina met Kjel, a native Norwegian. From their very first meeting, they felt destined to be together. The long distance between them was not a problem: Kjel frequently traveled to Ukraine to spend time with his beloved. One day, he proposed to Galina.

In 2011, the couple got married and moved to Norway. Within a year and a half, Galina received her residence permit. She also mastered Norwegian at a C2 level, passing the highest proficiency test to qualify for work.

Married life in picturesque Europe with official status and the prospect of gaining citizenship through marriage — what could go wrong?

The Problem

When Galina tried to renew her residence permit a year later, her application was denied. The official reason cited was "failure to meet the requirement of staying in the country for 183 days annually." In reality, the issue stemmed from a simple error: a border officer forgot to stamp her passport upon entry. Attempts to appeal the decision in court were unsuccessful, and the denial was upheld.

The only solution Galina found was to obtain a visa repeatedly and alternate between living in Norway and Ukraine for 90 days at a time. While she was in Ukraine, Kjel took up a teaching position at a university, working as a native English speaker.

Constant relocations, the inability for Galina to work in Norway, and the stress of visa applications caused significant discomfort for the new family. Tired of the instability, Galina decided to resolve the issue once and for all.

The Goal

Initially, Galina approached us to apply for a Schengen multiple-entry visa. However, upon learning that we also provide immigration services, she became very interested. Two months later, she returned to discuss obtaining EU citizenship and shared her complicated story.

Her goal was to obtain at least a residence permit in Europe or a work visa in Norway, enabling her to stay in the country permanently with her husband.

The Proposal

The ultimate goal was citizenship. However, considering her situation, we proposed that Galina apply for permanent residency in the EU through a state program based on her eligibility. This would allow her to legally stay in Norway for any duration within two months. Additionally, she would no longer need to worry about renewing her status, counting days of residence, or dealing with bureaucratic errors.

The Outcome

Norwegians do not share a concept of "family budget." Each spouse contributes to the household and has the right to manage their own finances as they see fit. Since Galina decided to relocate to Norway permanently, she sold her small apartment in Kharkiv to fund the process of obtaining EU permanent residency.

Within a month, her document package was fully prepared. Accompanied by lawyers from the Garant Immigration Center, Galina traveled to the EU to submit her application. Sixty days later, she obtained permanent residency in the European Union.

What Did Permanent Residency Bring Galina?

1. She no longer feared bureaucratic errors or the risk of residence permit renewal being denied.
2. She was no longer required to stay in the country for 183 days a year.
3. She received a job offer and signed a contract to teach at a university.
4. She forgot about the inconveniences of visa applications for good.
5. Most importantly, her family began living a stable life without constant relocations.

A year after obtaining permanent residency, Galina received her EU citizenship. Recently, she celebrated her fifth wedding anniversary with Kjel.

This case highlights how complex immigration challenges can be resolved with proper planning, expertise, and determination. Galina’s story is a testament to the fact that even the most difficult situations can lead to a happy ending with the right support.