original nationality and seek for a release of that nationality. The applicant is in this case required to deliver to Norway a confirmation within one year that he or she has been released from the former nationality.191 If the applicant does not submit the proof of release from former nationality, the application for Norwegian nationality based on Article 7 of the Nationality Act will be denied. However, UDI is aware that in some cases release can take longer than a year. When the one-year time limit has passed, the applicant has, in practice, the possibility to write to UDI explaining why the requisite document has not been submitted. UDI may then postpone a decision on the applicant’s case and grant the applicant a Norwegian Citizenship certificate, “almost without exemptions,” although the applicant submits the required proof after the one-year time limit has expired.192 In some cases, the other country will not permit a national to be released from his or her nationality unless he or she has acquired another nationality. In such cases, UDI will grant the applicant Norwegian nationality, but revoke the Norwegian nationality according to Article 26, if the person is not released from his or her former nationality within the one-year time limit.193 In exceptional cases, UDI will not revoke Norwegian nationality but rather allow dual nationality. This is the case when the applicant has refugee status and the authorities in the country of nationality can therefore not be contacted. This is also the case if UDI is aware that nationals of such countries are never released from their nationality, despite the fact that it is possible according to relevant legislation in the applicant’s country of nationality.194 Finally, Article 6 of the Nationality Act provides that a child who acquired nationality by birth or through adoption shall never have been Norwegian in the event of a decision or admission that the circumstances that formed the basis for the acquisition of nationality do not subsist.195 This provision, however, shall not be applied if the child would become stateless or if the decision or admission is made after the person concerned reaches the age of 18 years.196 The Nationality Act does not contain any provision allowing for the deprivation or revocation of nationality based on grounds other than those described above. For example, under current law, a Norwegian national cannot be deprived of his or her nationality based on certain criminal offences or acts of treason.197 In regard to prevention of statelessness in the context of loss and deprivation of nationality, the Nationality Act is in line with the provisions of the 1961 Convention. 4.3.4 Reduction of statelessness 4.3.4.1 NATURALIZATION Article 32 of the 1954 Convention provides, “The Contracting States shall as far as possible facilitate the assimilation and naturalization of stateless persons. They shall in particular make every effort to expedite naturalization proceedings and to reduce as far as possible the charges and costs of such proceedings.” 48 191 This is the case, for example, for nationals of Iceland, Pakistan, Sweden, and the United States seeking Norwegian nationality. Email from UDI OPROS, dated 14 August 2012. 192 UDI: Telephone conversation with UDI Nationality department (OPROS), and emails dated 14 and 28 August 2012. 193 This is the case for example in Poland, New Zealand, Spain, Turkey and Vietnam. Email from UDI OPROS, dated 14 August 2012. 194 Ibid. 195 Article 6 (1) of the Nationality Act. 196 Article 6 (1) of the Nationality Act. 197 The Norwegian Government recently circulated an Official Norwegian Report (NOU) and for comments regarding a possible amendment which would allow for the loss of nationality, see Høring – NOU 2015: 4 Tap av norsk statsborgerskap, available from: https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dokumenter/horing-nou-20154-tap-av-statsborgerskap/id2404185/. M A P P I N G STAT E L E S S N E S S I N N O RWAY