Training in the Norwegian language and social studies

The goal of training in the Norwegian language and social studies is that participants are to reach a level of skill in Norwegian that enables them to use or develop their competence in education, work and social life in general.

In addition, the training is to describe and explain important features of society and inform participants about rights, duties and key values. 

Who is covered by the scheme?

  • Immigrants between the ages of 16 and 55 years have a right and an obligation to attend 600 hours of training in the Norwegian language and social studies if they have a residence permit that forms the basis for a permanent residence permit
  • Those who are reunited with these immigrants and with Norwegian and Nordic citizens as part of family reunions
  • Immigrants over 55 years who belong to one of the aforementioned groups are entitled to training in the Norwegian language and social studies, but have no obligation to attend such courses
  • Labour immigrants from countries outside the EEA/EFTA area have an obligation to attend 300 hours of training in the Norwegian language and social studies

The fact that a person has a right to training means that he/she is given the training free of charge. Persons who, due to their residence permit, had a right and/or obligation to attend training before 1 January 2012 still have a right and/or obligation to attend 300 hours of training. 

The municipality's responsibilities

It is the municipality where the individual lives that has a duty to provide training in the Norwegian language and social studies. This training comprises 550 hours of Norwegian-language studies and 50 hours of social studies in a language that is understood by the participant. The municipalities also have a duty to offer those who are covered by this the right and obligation, or only the right, to attend up to 2,400 hours of additional training as required. The municipality is obliged to offer training for five years, usually from the date when the individual immigrant has been granted a residence permit pursuant to the Immigration Act. The right to free training ceases after three years and additional training must be completed within five years. The municipalities receive a grant from the state for this training.

The Norwegian language and social studies curriculum for adult immigrants  

The training is regulated by the regulations governing the Curriculum for Norwegian language and social studies for adult immigrants, which have been issued pursuant to the Introduction Act.