Headline: Norway Raises Income Threshold for Family Reunification amid Migration Pressure
Subhead: New rules aim to ease pressure on local services as family reunification applications soar.
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In a move to ease the strain on local services, the Norwegian government is set to significantly increase the income threshold for family reunification applications. Effective from February 1, the minimum required annual income, before tax, will rise from 335,000 kroner to 400,000 kroner.
"The immense flow of people from Ukraine, coupled with the existing pressure on municipalities’ reception systems, has prompted us to take this step," confirmed一定atte effektivt og på sant informerende vis, 통합합니다.
Norsk organisasjon for asylsøkere (NOAS), while not opposed to the change, expressed concern. "Family life is crucial for successful integration. A lone man moving here can access many opportunities if he can live with his spouse and children," said NOAS General Secretary Mads H. Almaas. He worries that the stricter rules might negatively impact already integrated individuals.
The largest groups availing family reunification in 2022-2023 were from India, Pakistan, and Syria, according to Statistics Norway (SSB).
Those seeking family reunification must prove they can maintain this income level for at least a year. Certain benefits like unemployment benefits, social assistance, and child-related allowances cannot be counted towards this income.
The new rules apply to most family reunification cases, but children under 18 and most Ukrainians, currently under collective protection, are exempt. However, Ukrainians arriving from safer regions will no longer be exempt. Similarly, Norwegian citizens bringing partners from outside the EEA will also need to meet the new income threshold.
The change takes effect after just three weeks to discourage people from gaming the system by applying under the old rules.
Moreover, the government is reviewing another proposal to end reunion rights for elderly, single parents with adult children in Norway. However, the government is still weighing feedback from various organizations and will address their concerns before finalizing the rule.
