Introduction Program for Immigrants

Competence assessment
Either just before or shortly after you are settled, the municipality will assess your language skills, education, work experience, and any other relevant competencies.

Career guidance
Following the competence assessment, the county authorities will provide career guidance and ensure that the introduction program is tailored to your needs.

Integration plan and contract
In collaboration with you, the municipality will develop a plan that includes your goals, program duration, and career plans.
At the same time, you will sign a contract with the municipality, committing yourself to following the program and its objectives.

The introduction program
When you begin the program, the municipality will work with you to set goals for what you should achieve by the end of the program.

• If you have completed upper secondary education, the goal will be to qualify for higher education.
• If you are under 25 and have not completed upper secondary education, the goal will be to complete it.

You will learn:

• Norwegian
• Social studies
• Life skills for adapting to a new country
• Other relevant subjects for work or education
• Parental guidance if you have children

• Immigrants between 18 and 55 years old
• Individuals with a residence permit
• Those who are either settled in a municipality or awaiting settlement.

There are different types of residence permits. The introduction program is intended for those who:

• Have a residence permit as a refugee or quota refugee
• Have applied for protection and hold a renewable residence permit
• Have a limited residence permit due to a family situation
• Have a residence permit granted based on protection needs for an entire group
• Have a residence permit as a family member of someone who has been settled for less than five years
• Have received a renewable residence permit due to the breakdown of a relationship that involved abuse.

Welcome to the introduction programme

This is a legally mandated responsibility for the municipality. See Integreringsloven Kapittel 4 and 5 and § 47 regarding appeals.

Integreringsforskriften
Forvaltningsloven
Integreringsloven

The municipality must ensure that the introduction program begins as soon as possible and no later than three months after settlement.
You will receive a participation certificate upon completing the program. If the program is interrupted for any reason, you will still receive a certificate.

You may appeal decisions regarding:

• Approval or rejection of participation
• Introduction benefits
• Significant changes to the integration plan
• Termination of the program
• Extension of the program
• Approval of leave
• Requests for exemption

This must be done within three weeks of receiving the decision. Explain what you are dissatisfied with and why you believe the decision should be changed. If you need guidance, you can contact the municipality. If the municipality upholds its decision, the case will be forwarded to the County Governor, who will determine whether the appeal is upheld.