Expulsion, revocation and rejection
Expulsion (utvisning) is a decision that a foreign national must leave Norway, combined with a ban on later entry. It differs from revocation and rejection, and a duty to leave does not in itself mean that an entry ban has been imposed. Under Section 71 of the Immigration Act, a residence permit ceases to apply when the expulsion decision becomes final.
Revocation (tilbakekall) under Section 63 concerns an existing permit, for example where you knowingly gave incorrect information or concealed matters of significant importance. Rejection (bortvisning) concerns admission and continued presence, and Section 17 sets out the ordinary grounds. Persons who hold a residence permit, persons born in Norway who have lived here continuously, and Nordic citizens resident in Norway cannot be rejected under Section 17.
Section 69 sets an absolute limit. Norwegian citizens cannot be expelled, and nor can persons born in Norway who have lived in Norway continuously since birth.
Grounds for expulsion
Without a residence permit
Section 66 applies to foreign nationals who do not hold a residence permit. The grounds include serious or repeated breaches of the Immigration Act, failure to comply with an obligation to leave, specified criminal sanctions, and materially incorrect or obviously deceptive information given intentionally or with gross negligence. They also include terrorism-related offences under Chapter 18 of the Penal Code and certain other listed situations.
Under Section 66 second paragraph, a foreign national shall as a rule be expelled if they have not left Norway by the departure deadline, unless this would be disproportionate. The same applies where no departure deadline was set, but only on the specific grounds listed in that paragraph.
Temporary and permanent permits
Section 67 applies to holders of a temporary permit. The main ground is a sentence for an offence punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, and the section also lists other offences and serious road-traffic offences that can qualify. Section 68 applies to holders of a permanent permit and generally requires an offence punishable by imprisonment for two years or more.
These thresholds refer to the statutory maximum penalty for the offence, not the sentence actually imposed. Under Section 67 second paragraph, conduct before a permit was granted can be assessed under the rules for the earlier status. Section 14-3 of the Immigration Regulations governs the time limits, which in imprisonment cases are counted from release, and provides that a simplified fine (forenklet forelegg) cannot form the basis for expulsion.
EEA nationals and their family members
Under Section 122, an EEA national or family member with a right of residence under Chapter 13 may be expelled on grounds of public order or security only where their personal conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to a fundamental societal interest. Under Section 19-29 of the Immigration Regulations, previous criminal convictions cannot in themselves justify expulsion.
A person with a permanent right of residence may be expelled only on serious grounds. A person who has resided in Norway for the previous ten years, or who is a minor, may be expelled only where it is imperative on grounds of public security, with an exception for minors where expulsion is in the child’s best interests. Section 122 also contains an exception for offences under Chapter 18 of the Penal Code.
Section 123 allows expulsion on public-health grounds of persons with a right of residence under Section 111, which covers the first three months. Under Section 124, an EEA entry ban may be permanent or time-limited, but not shorter than two years. Section 19-30 of the Immigration Regulations limits the ban to what is necessary on grounds of public order or security.
Proportionality and the best interests of the child
Under Section 70 first paragraph, expulsion may not be decided if, in view of the seriousness of the conduct and your ties to Norway, it would be a disproportionate measure against you or your closest family members. In cases concerning children, the child’s best interests must be a fundamental consideration. They are not automatically decisive, but they must be assessed and weighed.
The assessment looks at actual consequences, such as length of residence, upbringing, family relationships, care arrangements and whether family life can continue elsewhere. Serious crime carries considerable weight, while ties formed during childhood require careful assessment.
Unlawful stay or work and children in Norway
Under Section 14-1 of the Immigration Regulations, a person who has stayed or worked unlawfully in Norway for less than two years shall as a rule not be expelled on that ground if three conditions are met. The person must have children in Norway with whom they have lived or had contact of a certain extent, they must be going to live with the child, and the conditions for family immigration with a Norwegian child under Section 44, or with the other parent under Sections 40 and 41, must be met. The rule does not apply where it is not disproportionate to expect family life to continue in another country, or in a specific situation involving breach of the obligation to leave after a refusal under Section 56 sixth paragraph.
Presumption against expulsion under Section 14-1a
Section 14-1a of the Immigration Regulations provides that expulsion under Section 66 first paragraph (a), second paragraph (a), or first paragraph (c) where the penalty was for breaching the Immigration Act shall as a rule be considered disproportionate in some family cases. This applies where you are the parent of a minor child in Norway with whom family life is exercised, the child is a Norwegian citizen, holds a residence permit or has a right of residence under Chapter 13, and family life cannot continue in your home country. The authorities may nevertheless consider the likelihood that a permit would be refused in any event, and any aggravating circumstances connected with the breach.
Under Section 70 second paragraph, where expulsion under Section 66 first paragraph (a) or (h) would be disproportionate, an additional period of up to three years may be required before you can obtain a permanent residence permit. Where Section 14-1a applies, such additional time shall as a rule be imposed, and in cases under Section 66 first paragraph (c), Section 11-5 of the Immigration Regulations governs the additional time.
Duration of the entry ban
Under Section 71, an entry ban may be permanent or time-limited, but not shorter than one year. Under Section 14-2 of the Immigration Regulations, the ban is normally set at two, five or ten years, or permanently. For bans under Section 66 first paragraph (a), (d) or (f) or second paragraph, the options are one, two or five years, unless public order or fundamental national interests require a longer ban.
If you have children in Norway with whom you have lived, or had contact of a certain extent, for a long time, and you will continue to do so, the ban should as a rule not be permanent. For bans under Section 66 first paragraph (a) or (d) or second paragraph, it should then as a rule not exceed two years. A permanent ban may still be imposed after an overall assessment, in particular where:
you have been sentenced for an offence punishable by imprisonment for six years or more;
you have been sentenced for violence or abuse against close family members;
you have repeatedly been convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment for more than six months; or
it is not disproportionate to expect family life to continue in another country.
Under Section 71, the ban runs from the date you leave the territory covered by the obligation to leave. Where no obligation to leave is imposed, it runs from the date of the first-instance decision.
Registration in the Schengen Information System
Section 90 f of the Immigration Act governs registration in the Schengen Information System (SIS). A return alert is registered where a decision imposes an obligation to leave the Schengen and EU area, and an alert for refusal of entry and stay is registered where an expulsion decision imposes such an obligation or entry is refused on grounds of public order or security. If you hold a residence permit or long-stay visa from another participating state, that state must be consulted first.
Advance notice, appeal and implementation
Under Section 72, expulsion cases are prepared by the police and decided at first instance by UDI. Section 14-5 of the Immigration Regulations requires written advance notice stating the factual and legal grounds, with a reasonable deadline for comments, unless notice may be omitted under Section 16 third paragraph of the Public Administration Act. Section 81 of the Immigration Act gives you the right to present your views in a language in which you can communicate adequately.
UDI’s decisions can be appealed to UNE under Section 76, normally within three weeks under Section 29 of the Public Administration Act. An appeal does not always prevent implementation. Under Section 90 c of the Immigration Act, expulsion of a person without a residence permit may be implemented immediately, while expulsion of a permit holder, or of a Nordic citizen who has stayed in Norway for more than three months, generally cannot be implemented before the decision is final.
Lifting an entry ban
Under Sections 71 and 124, an entry ban may be lifted on application where new circumstances so justify. Your application should explain what has changed and why it matters. For EEA bans, Section 19-30 of the Immigration Regulations requires a decision within six months of the application.
Permission for a short visit is different from lifting the ban. Special circumstances may justify a visit, normally not until two years after departure under Section 71, or one year under Section 124.
How we can help
We assist with replies to advance notices of expulsion, appeals to UNE, requests for deferred implementation and applications to lift an entry ban. Advokatfirmaet Sterk AS can assess the grounds, proportionality and the position of any children in your case. Contact us as soon as you receive an advance notice.
This article provides general information as of 29 October 2026 and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
