Family reunification or family immigration is the process by which a person who wishes to move to Norway applies for this to reunite with family who already live here. This can be a spouse, partner, child, or parent.
A Complex Set of Rules
The rules for family reunification are very complex. There are many different categories and conditions depending on the applicant's citizenship and situation. The rules also change relatively often.
A Demanding Application Process
The application process is demanding. There are a number of criteria that must be met, and small mistakes can have significant consequences.
The most common mistakes are:
Insufficient documentation or failure to update changed information
Failure to pay the processing fee or only including a copy of the receipt
Incorrect procedure, such as sending from the wrong country
The consequence of mistakes is usually rejection, which means a new and delayed application process. The processing time is from 12 to 15 months.
Lack of Guidance and Varying Interpretation
Many find that the immigration authorities do not provide enough guidance along the way, so mistakes are only discovered upon rejection. Many also experience varying interpretations of the regulations between caseworkers.
Summary
In summary, family reunification is a challenging process with many pitfalls. Because of this, it is recommended to contact a lawyer with experience in family immigration cases.
Even with assistance, it is easy to make mistakes in this process. In some cases, the courts also interpret the rules differently from the immigration authorities, so a rejection can be overturned.
It is possible, but difficult, to obtain free legal aid. Contact us for assistance with your family reunification case.
