innvandrer

Innvandrer is a term used to describe a person who moves from their country of origin to another country with the aim of permanent settlement. In Norwegian usage, the word commonly refers to someone who has immigrated to Norway from abroad. The concept is often treated in two senses: first-generation immigrants who have relocated to Norway, and people with immigrant background, a broader category that can include those born in Norway to foreign-born parents. In statistics, the focus is frequently on first-generation immigrants, while discussions about background may cover later generations as well.

Innvandring occurs through several pathways, including work permits, family reunification, protection or asylum, study, and rules tied to EU/EEA membership. Immigration policy in Norway and many other countries is governed by national laws and administrative regulations, with different requirements for citizens of other countries compared with those from the European Economic Area.

Integration is a central objective in many host societies. For innvandrere, integration work often emphasizes language acquisition, access to employment, education, housing, health care, and social inclusion. Outcomes are influenced by factors such as education level, labor market opportunities, discrimination, and the availability of support services.

Terminology around innvandring can be contentious. Some critics argue that the term can stigmatize or simplify diversity, and prefer more neutral or descriptive language such as “personer født i utlandet” or “personer med innvandrerbakgrunn.” National statistics and policy documents increasingly use such neutral phrasing to reflect diverse realities.