Residence permits in Norway, whether temporary or permanent, can in certain circumstances be withdrawn by the authorities. This is called revocation (tilbakekall) and is regulated in Section 63 of the Immigration Act (utlendingsloven). This article reviews the grounds for revocation, the procedure and the safeguards that apply.
Incorrect information given against better knowledge
Under Section 63 first paragraph, a temporary or permanent residence permit may be revoked if the foreign national has, against better knowledge (mot bedre vitende), given incorrect information or concealed circumstances of significant importance for the decision. Typical examples include:
incorrect information about identity or nationality;
concealed information about the applicant’s background or family situation; and
misleading information about the purpose of the stay, for example a marriage entered into mainly to obtain a residence permit.
Revocation under general administrative law
Section 63 first paragraph also allows revocation where this “otherwise follows from general administrative law rules”. The main rule here is Section 35 of the Public Administration Act (forvaltningsloven) of 1967, which allows an authority to reverse its own decision without an appeal, among other things where the decision must be regarded as invalid (Section 35 first paragraph letter c).
Under this alternative, it is not a requirement that the foreign national knowingly gave incorrect information. A permit that was granted on an incorrect factual basis may in principle be revoked even where the error was caused by others, for example the reference person. Whether revocation is lawful in such cases depends on a concrete assessment of the case.
Where a permit is revoked, this may also affect family members whose permits are based on that permit. Their situation must be assessed separately.
End of employment
For workers, Section 6-11 first paragraph of the Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften) states that a residence permit may be revoked under general administrative law rules if the employment ends, cf. Section 63 of the Act, unless the conditions in the second paragraph are met. Under Section 6-11 second paragraph, skilled workers with a permit under Section 6-1 first paragraph may stay in Norway to look for work for up to six months after the employment ends, provided the original permit does not expire. It is a condition that the worker notifies the police within seven days after the employment ends, and again within seven days if the worker starts in a new job.
Expulsion decisions in other Schengen countries
Under Section 63 second paragraph, a temporary or permanent residence permit may also be revoked if a foreign national who is not a citizen of a Schengen country has been ordered to leave another Schengen country on the basis of an assessment that could have led to expulsion out of regard for fundamental national interests, cf. Section 126 second paragraph. The rule must be read in the light of Norway’s Schengen obligations on mutual recognition of expulsion decisions. Norwegian authorities must themselves assess whether the circumstances would have qualified under the Norwegian rule.
Refugee status and collective protection
In addition to Section 63, Section 37 of the Immigration Act contains special rules on cessation and revocation of refugee status and of residence permits under Sections 28 and 34. The grounds include, among other things, that the person has voluntarily re-availed himself or herself of the protection of the country of nationality, or that the circumstances that led to protection no longer exist (Section 37 first paragraph letters a to f). Under Section 37 second paragraph, a permit shall not be revoked under letters e or f if the person can invoke compelling reasons arising out of previous persecution.
Discretion and proportionality
Section 63 states that a permit “may” be revoked. Revocation is therefore not mandatory even where the conditions are met, and the authorities must exercise discretion. Relevant considerations may include how serious the incorrect information was, how long the person has lived in Norway, and the person’s family situation and ties to Norway.
Where children are affected, the best interests of the child must be taken into account. The Immigration Act contains an express proportionality requirement for expulsion in Section 70, and the Immigration Regulations Sections 14-1 and 14-1a give further rules on expulsion where the foreign national has children in Norway. Revocation and expulsion are separate decisions, but they are often considered together, and these rules are relevant where a revocation case also involves expulsion.
Procedure: advance notice and the right to comment
Revocation is an individual decision. Under Section 16 of the Public Administration Act, a party who has not already commented on the case must as a rule be notified before a decision is made and be given a deadline to comment. The notice must explain what the case concerns. Exceptions apply only in the situations listed in Section 16 third paragraph.
The decision can be appealed. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) normally decides at first instance, and the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) is the appeals body.
When can a revocation decision be enforced?
The timing of enforcement is regulated in Section 90 c of the Immigration Act. Under Section 90 c fourth paragraph, a decision on revocation under Section 63 cannot be enforced before it is final. This means that if the decision is appealed, the person is as a rule not removed before the appeal has been decided. The fourth paragraph also allows earlier enforcement where it is likely that the foreign national will commit a criminal act against, or stalk, another person, or otherwise seriously violate another person’s peace.
The rules are different for refusals of first-time applications. Under Section 90 c second paragraph, such a refusal may be enforced before it is final if the foreign national has had the opportunity to appeal, and at the earliest 48 hours after the notice of the decision has reached the foreign national.
Key points
Revocation may be based on incorrect information given against better knowledge, on general administrative law (in particular Section 35 of the Public Administration Act), or on an expulsion decision in another Schengen country.
Refugee status and permits under Sections 28 and 34 may also cease under Section 37.
Revocation is discretionary, and the person must as a rule be notified and given the opportunity to comment.
A revocation decision under Section 63 cannot as a rule be enforced before it is final (Section 90 c fourth paragraph).
How we can help
We assist foreign nationals and their families with advance notices of revocation, responses to UDI, appeals to UNE and related expulsion cases. Contact us if you would like Advokatfirmaet Sterk AS to look at your situation.
This article provides general information as of 29 October 2026 and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
