Grandparents and some relatives from third countries can now visit family in Norway

From October 21, more family members from third countries can visit relatives in Norway, including grandparents and established partners’ children. The rules on entry quarantine do not change.

The government made the announcement on Friday. 

“I hope this will be an early Christmas gift for all those who have missed their loved ones. Many children have contacted and asked that their grandparents can come to Norway,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg noted.

On July 15, the government eased the entry restrictions introduced in connection with the corona situation. 

From then on, partners from a number of countries could obtain visas to Norway, together with a so-called “partner document.”

But the easing of the restrictions did not apply to everyone, according to newspaper VG.

Quarantine remains in force

I emphasize that quarantine applies to those in question, and it is important that they follow other infection control rules during their visit to Norway, Minister of Justice Monica Mæland said.

She also said that the government is continuously working to find the right balance between infection control considerations and other important societal considerations.

“If the infection situation allows it, we will also gradually open up for entry for new groups of foreigners in the future, who meet the conditions for entry to Norway under normal circumstances,” Mæland said.

The new rules mean that exceptions will be made from the entry restrictions for the following foreigners:

• Children and step-children over the age of 21 to a person resident in Norway.
• Parents and step-parents of children over the age of 21 living in Norway.
• Grandparents and step-grandparents of a person resident in Norway.
• Grandchildren and step-grandchildren of a person resident in Norway.
• Established partners’ children.
• Spouses, registered partners, cohabitants, and children of a Norwegian citizen who lives abroad and who travels to Norway with the Norwegian citizen.
• EEA citizens and their family members residing in third countries.

It is emphasized that the rules on entry restrictions are an addition to the general rules on entry in the Immigration Act. 

That means that even if the entry restrictions are removed, the general requirements for travel documents, visas, etc. will still apply in full.

For those who need a visa to travel to Norway, there may still be practical challenges with regard to the possibility of receiving applications and issuing visas in some countries, as a result of foreign embassies and application centers having closed or reduced opening hours for infection control reasons.

The vast majority of application receptions Norway has abroad are now fully or partially open, and the vast majority who meet the conditions for traveling into Norway can submit an application. 

Source: Norway Today