UDI 2010-128 Power of attorney (authorisation) when applying for a visa or residence permit

1. Introduction

All applicants are entitled to be represented by a lawyer or another authorised representative at all stages of the case processing; see the Public Administration Act Section 12 (external link).

As a rule, an authorised representative who is not a lawyer must present a written power of attorney; see the Immigration Regulations Section 17-1 second paragraph.

2.  Power of attorney form

Some applicants want a specific person to attend to their interests during the processing of an application for a visa or residence permit. That person will often be the reference person in the case, but it can also be another person in Norway or abroad.

The Immigration Regulations Section 10-3 first paragraph states that employers and principals can submit an application for a residence permit from within the realm on behalf of employees or seconded employees and their closest family members who fall under the scope of Sections 40-42 of the Act. It is a condition that they have written authorisation to do so.

The UDI has prepared a separate power of attorney form (external link to PDF) to be used in such cases. The form is available in Norwegian bokmål and nynorsk and in English and can be found at UDI's website (external link).

3.  What does the power of attorney entail?

The power of attorney means that the Norwegian immigration authorities can directly contact the person stated as the authorised representative on the power of attorney form; see the Public Administration Act Section 12 second paragraph (external link). Decisions in the case will therefore be sent to the authorised representative, with a copy to the applicant. If the application is rejected and the applicant wishes to appeal the decision, the authorised representative can submit the appeal on the applicant's behalf.

If there are no limitations on the power of attorney, the authorised representative is entitled to access to the case documents on a par with the applicant him/herself.

4. Termination of the power of attorney

If the applicant no longer wishes to be represented by the authorised representative, the applicant must inform the UDI of this in writing.

5.  Information to applicants about the power of attorney form

We request that the foreign service missions inform applicants about the possibility of using the power of attorney form, and what it entails; see section 3.

Several application forms contain a field on power of attorney. If this box has been ticked, it is not necessary to fill in the power of attorney form.