Over 400 Ukrainians Denied Permanent Residency in Norway Following Legislative Changes
In a significant shift, more than 400 Ukrainians have seen their applications for permanent residence in Norway rejected. This development comes in the wake of legislative changes regarding collective protection, enacted last autumn.
As of October 28, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) reports that 96,098 Ukrainians have received collective protection in Norway since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A poignant reminder of this ongoing conflict can be seen in a photograph taken in 2022, which captures a demonstration held outside the Russian embassy in Oslo.
Justice and Emergency Preparedness Minister Astri Aas-Hansen has confirmed that the initial decisions to deny these applications have been made by the UDI, and so far, the Immigration Board—responsible for handling appeals—has not reversed any of these refusals. This information was provided in response to an inquiry from Bent-Joacim Bentzen, a politician from the Centre Party, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The changes were initiated by former Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl last September, who restructured the framework for collective protection. Under the new law, individuals arriving from regions deemed “safe” by the UDI are not automatically granted residency.
Currently, the UDI has classified 14 areas in Ukraine as safe. As Minister Aas-Hansen explained, Ukrainians originating from these regions are not eligible for collective protection, but they can still pursue individual asylum applications.
The implications of this policy shift are profound, underscoring the challenges faced by those seeking refuge in Norway amidst a protracted humanitarian crisis.