How many Indians moved to Norway in 2025?

Norway issued 1,791 first residence permits to Indian citizens in 2025, the main official indicator of how many moved there (Eurostat, data updated on 22 October 2026). That is 6 more than in 2024 (1,785), a change of +0.3%. By reason: family 872 (48.7%), work 758 (42.3%), education 159 (8.9%), other reasons 2 (0.1%). 1,148 of them (64.1%) were valid for 12 months or more.

First residence permitsIndian citizens · 2025

Norway · Indian citizens · 2025: 1,791 first residence permits

1,785in 2024
+0.3%change on 2024
1,148valid for 12 months or more
EFTAnot in the EU total (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland)

Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).

What this number is, and what it is not

  • It is the number of Indian citizens who received a residence permit in Norway for the first time in 2025: a permit valid for at least 3 months, for family, education, work or other reasons. A permit also counts as "first" when the person had none for the same reason in the 6 months before.
  • It is not a count of moves: some people who receive a permit never move, or leave soon after.
  • It leaves out Indians who also hold an EU passport (the statistics cover non-EU citizens only), stays shorter than 3 months and renewed permits.
  • It is not the number of Indians living in Norway, which is much larger.

Why Indians moved to Norway in 2025: permits by reason

First residence permits issued by Norway to Indian citizens, by reason, 2025 and 2024
Reason2025Share2024Change
Family87248.7%794+9.8%
Education1598.9%145+9.7%
Work75842.3%846−10.4%
Other20.1%0–
All reasons1,791100%1,785+0.3%

Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).

Family: joining or accompanying a family member. Education: study and other education. Work: paid employment (Eurostat's "employment reasons", also called remunerated activities), for example EU Blue Cards, other skilled work and seasonal work. Other: international protection and humanitarian status, permits for residence only, and other or unspecified reasons.

Indians moving to Norway, year by year (2019–2025)

First residence permits issued by Norway to Indian citizens, 2019–2025
YearAll reasonsFamilyEducationWorkOtherValid 12+ months
20193,3741,4212501,70122,233
20201,4115911077121898
20211,88888715884031,365
20222,7781,3412161,22102,151
20232,5321,2671561,10721,792
20241,78579414584601,201
20251,79187215975821,148

Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Eurostat revises past years when countries correct their data. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).

Questions people ask

How many Indians moved to Norway in 2025?

1,791 Indian citizens received a first residence permit in Norway in 2025 (Eurostat). That is 6 more than in 2024 (1,785), a change of +0.3%.

How many Indians moved to Norway in 2024?

1,785 Indian citizens received a first residence permit in Norway in 2024.

Why do Indians move to Norway?

The most common reason in 2025 was family (872 permits). By reason: family 872 (48.7%), work 758 (42.3%), education 159 (8.9%), other reasons 2 (0.1%).

Is this the number of Indians living in Norway?

No. It counts only new permits issued in 2025. People who have lived there for years, renewed their permits or have an EU passport are not included.

Visas and statistics for Norway on this site

Where else Indians moved in 2025

Who else moved to Norway in 2025

How many Indians moved to Europe in 2025 · Who moved where: all nationalities · Visa income calculator