The updated rules apply to the family members of Norwegians who exercised their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement before the end of the transition period on December 31st, 2020, according to an update published on the Norwegian government’s website.

This allows the family members of Norwegians living in the UK to apply for a Norwegian residence card under the same rules as the EEA regulations on immigration to Norway.

“Family members of Norwegian citizens who exercised rights under the EEA regulations on free movement of persons in Great Britain before the end of the transition period on December 31st 2020 can apply for a residence card under the EEA regulations in the Immigration Act and Regulations,” the updated rules read.

These regulations cover spouses, cohabitants, fiancées, children, and in some cases, parents and other family members. 

However, the applicant’s reference person (the Norwegian citizen they are moving to be with) will need to have had continuous residence in the UK following the transition period and will need to return to Norway directly from the UK.

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The new measures were effective immediately after the update was issued on August 23rd, and those who have been refused residence on the grounds that the UK is no longer a member of the EU can have the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) reassess their application.

The page to have a rejected application reassessed by the UDI is live on the UDI’s website.

The UDI has told The Local that those wishing to apply for residence under the new rules would need to apply for a residence card for family members of EU/EEA nationals and to select “yes” when asked whether they have lived in an EEA/EU country despite the UK’s exit from the EU.