Norway Raises Family Sponsorship Income Requirement Significantly

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has announced a new income benchmark for residents wishing to sponsor family members for immigration to Norway. The reference person must now earn at least NOK 436,957 (N60,945,612) per year before tax, with the income needing to be stable for at least one year beyond the application.

This new requirement represents a substantial increase from the previous threshold of NOK 368,683 (N51,427,334) per year, which was set at 2.7 times the National Insurance basic amount. The difference of approximately NOK 68,000 (N9,483,288) indicates a tightening of family immigration rules, likely impacting many individuals seeking to reunite with relatives in Norway.

Additionally, applicants may need to provide documentation covering the first year of the family member's residence in Norway, adding further financial scrutiny. For those who submitted applications before 1 February 2025, the old income threshold will still apply.