Norwegian language and society for foreigners

The municipality shall provide immigrants with training in the Norwegian language (250 hours) and in Norwegian society (50 hours), in total 300 hours. The course in Norwegian society shall be given in a language that the participant understands. Norwegian training must be given in Norwegian. The objective is to give the immigrant the opportunity to obtain employment. Completion of the course is required in order to be granted a residential permit (permanent residence) and citizenship.

An individual plan shall be prepared for each participant and is to be based upon individual requirements. Participants who have the right to free training shall be offered further training in Norwegian (up to 2700 hours, without charge, should there be a need for this. The municipality may require that a test be taken in order to ascertain whether there is a need for training above 300 hours.

Foreigners between 16 and 55 years

• who have a temporary residence permit or a work permit providing the right to permanent residence. (This includes asylum-seekers, refugees, work migrants and their family members, persons with a right to stay on humanitarian grounds, family reunification to such persons, and family reunification with Norwegian or Nordic citizens resident in Norway.)

Stay of residence or a work permit according to the Immigration Act which provides a basis for a residential permit.

The service is free for persons aged 16–55 who have stay of residence or a work permit that provides a basis for a residential permit, apart from work immigrants and their family members. They have to pay for the course.