Published During the month of May, Norwegians Worldwide (Nordmanns-Forbundet) held a series of seminars about the new laws on dual citizenship in Norway in major U.S. cities: San Francisco, Austin, Houston, and Seattle. Dual citizenship will allow them to more easily work across borders, although there may be serious tax and retirement benefit implications.For many Norwegian Americans, reclaiming dual citizenship is a very emotional, symbolic gesture. Here are a few common questions about the new law answered with information from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration:• The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration revoked your Norwegian citizenship because you did not renounce your original citizenship within the deadline you were given.
Note that this is only the case if you are also a citizen of another country. As a rule, a requirement applies for people who applied for citizenship after 1 January 2017 to have passed an oral Norwegian language test and a social studies test given in Norwegian. In the case of the United States and Canada, dual citizenship is permitted.Unlike in Ireland, there is no provision for people of Norwegian heritage (for example, an American with Norwegian grandparents) to become citizens; they must meet the full criteria for citizenship. Practical information from public agencies You can register for the tests at Kurstorget. It is the County Governor who organises these ceremonies.More information about citizenship, conditions and the procedure for applying is available at
Additionally, an applicant must have documented fluency in the Norwegian language and pass an exam on Norwegian society, laws, and history.With these changes, Norway is following a trend more in line with the realities of a new global society. The new rules will not enter into effect before January 1st 2020. Åsmund “Ozzie” Kvithammer, who attended the session in Seattle, says he plans to apply for his red passport as soon as possible, that it will fill a gap he has felt for most of his life.But Kvithammer’s wife, Anne-Lise Berger, feels differently. Until then, the existing rules regarding dual citizenship still apply. Even though they may not plan to live on Norwegian soil again, Norway is part of the “divided heart” of the immigrant.