In May 2024, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security instructed the Directorate of Immigration on new criteria prioritizing the best interests of the child in expulsion cases. These amendments have now been incorporated into the Immigration Regulations.
The main content of the previous instructions and the newly established regulatory rules is that a longer period of residence is required for a foreign national to be granted a permanent residence permit in Norway instead of facing expulsion.
The rules only apply if the foreign national is a minor in Norway, and only if it is not possible to continue family life in the foreign national's home country. Furthermore, the rules only apply to expulsion cases based on violations of the Immigration Act, and they do not take effect if the foreign national has been punished for other offences.
The changes will enter into force on 20 January 2025.