If you receive collective protection, you will get a decision letter in the mail with information about your residence permit. You will also receive a letter with a QR code that links to a video. You will be asked to watch the video, which is in your language. It explains your rights and obligations. It is important that you watch the video. To watch the video, you must either use your phone to scan a QR code or go to the link in the letter you receive.

Here you can read about your rights and obligations.

Once you have been granted a residence permit, you will receive an email.

Once you have been granted a permit, you will also receive a residence card as proof that you have a residence permit in Norway. Some must go to the police station to take a picture and fingerprint for their residence card. Some have already taken a photo and fingerprints for their residence card when they applied for protection and do not have to go to the police again. You will be notified if you must report to the police. Your residence card will be sent to you by post. It is important that your name is visible on the mailbox for you to receive the letters we send to you. If you move before you get your residence card, you must inform the police about your new address.

After you have attended the appointment with the police, you will receive a letter stating that you have been assigned a national identity number.

Norwegian authorities (IMDi) can provide you with a residence, meaning that you get help finding a place to live in a municipality. You cannot choose in which municipality to live. You only get one offer from a municipality, and it can be anywhere in Norway. It is voluntary to get help from the authorities to settle in a municipality. If you choose not to accept the offer from IMDi, it will have some consequences for your rights.   

Consequences of not accepting help from the authorities:  

You lose your  

• right to an emergency accommodation (reception centre)  
• right to participate in the introduction  programme  
• right to receive the introduction benefit (money)  
• opportunity for financial support from the municipality  
• right to travel expenses when moving to a municipality   

If you choose not to accept the offer of a municipality, you must manage housing and economy yourself. You are still entitled to free Norwegian language tuition with social studies. Children under the age of 16 have the right and duty to attend school. Youths between the age of 16 and 18 have the right to secondary education (high school).   

The right to a place in an emergency accommodation or asylum reception centre applies until the agreed date of settlement in the municipality. If you do not move on that date, the police will forcibly move you.

If you are not living in an asylum reception centre, you may establish residency in a municipality through agreed self-settlement. There are two ways to proceed:

1) Seeking help to live in a municipality.

2) Contacting the city where you want to stay on your own. 

Seeking help with the settlement?

To seek help with settling within a municipality, apply as soon as possible for accommodation with public assistance on IMDis website (external website). 

IMDi will then designate a municipality for your settlement. You will only receive one settlement offer. You may not appeal to the municipality designated by IMDi, but you may choose to decline the offer in order to settle elsewhere on your own. Please note that by declining IMDi’s offer, you lose the right to the introductory program and introductory benefit and will have to manage on your own financially.

Do you want to contact a particular municipality to stay in on your own?

If you do not need IMDi's assistance, you can contact the town you want to stay in and ask if the municipality wants to sign an agreement on self-settlement. If the municipality agrees, the town must sign a deal with IMDi. To apply for self-settlement, you must find a home on your own. Do not sign any rental agreement until the municipality has approved both the home and the agreement. 

If the municipality and IMDi agree on the self-settlement, you have the same rights and obligations as when you are settled with public assistance.

You have the right to participate in an introduction programme and receive an introduction benefit if you become a resident this way.

Please note that you are not allowed to be designated a municipality by IMDi when using this scheme and that certain municipalities may not wish to participate in any self-settlement agreements.

More information about agreed self-settlement is available on IMDi's website (external website).

When you get settled in a municipality with help from the Norwegian authorities, you have both rights and obligations. If you are between the age of 18 and 55, you may participate in an introduction programme. The introduction programme is a training programme intended to prepare you for participation in Norwegian working life and the Norwegian language. The programme will correspond to an average working week. You will receive money while participating in the introduction programme, referred to as “introduction benefits”. You must pay tax on the money you receive as everyone else who works.

Here you will find more information about the introductory programs and language training for those with temporary collective protection (external website).

When a child of foreign parents is born in Norway, the parents must apply for a residence permit for the child. This is to be done as early as possible following the birth.

The type of residence permit you may apply for on your child's behalf depends on the type of Norwegian residence permit you and the child's other parent hold.

Select the alternative that suits you as the child's parents:

If both parents have been granted collective protection

The following information explains the various possibilities you have for your child:

Protection (asylum)

You may apply for protection (asylum) for your child.

If the child is eligible for collective protection, we will grant collective protection to the child. Read more about applying for protection.

If you are living in an asylum reception centre you must present the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital to those working at the centre. The asylum reception centre will send it to its respective UDI regional office, and UDI will register an application for the child.

If you do not live in an asylum reception centre, you are to visit the local police station where you live to hand in the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital. The police will then register an application for the child.

Family immigration

You can apply for a family immigration residence permit for your child.

If a child is granted a family immigration residence permit, its parents will normally have to obtain a passport for the child from their home country in order to travel outside Norway. If the child holds such a passport, then it can visit the home country of the parents.

If contacting the authorities or the embassy of the parents' home country in order to obtain a passport puts the parents at risk, it is possible to apply for a Norwegian immigrant passport (blue) for the child instead.

If neither the mother's nor the father's residence permit forms the basis for a permanent residence permit, then the child's permit will not form the basis for permanent residency either.

If one parent has been granted protection (asylum), and the other parent has been granted collective protection

The following information explains the various possibilities you have for your child:

Protection for family members of refugees (derived refugee status)

You may apply for protection for family members of refugees (derived refugee status) on behalf of the child.

If the child is granted derived refugee status, he or she will be issued a refugee travel document (green). The child will not be able to visit the parents' home country.

If the parents lose their refugee status at a later point in time, the child will lose its refugee status as well.

Protection (asylum)

You may apply for protection (asylum) for your child

If the child is eligible for collective protection, we will grant collective protection to the child. Read more about applying for protection.

In order to apply you must visit the local police station where you live and hand in the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital. The police will then register an application for the child.

Family immigration

You can apply for a family immigration residence permit for your child.

If a child is granted a family immigration residence permit, its parents will normally have to obtain a passport for the child from their home country in order to travel outside Norway. If the child holds such a passport, then it can visit the home country of the parents.

If contacting the authorities or the embassy of the parents' home country in order to obtain a passport puts the parents at risk, it is possible to apply for a Norwegian immigrant passport (blue) for the child instead.

One of the parents has protection status (asylum), and one of the parents is an EU/EEA citizen:

The following information explains the various possibilities you have for your child:

Protection (asylum)

You may apply for protection (asylum) for your child.

If the child is eligible for collective protection, we will grant collective protection to the child. Read more about applying for protection.

In order to apply you must visit the local police station where you live and hand in the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital. The police will then register an application for the child.

The registration scheme for EU/EEA nationals and applications for a residence card for family members of EU/EEA nationals

Because one or both of the child's parents hold citizenship in an EU/EEA country, it is not necessary to apply for a residence permit for the child, but you must register the child with the police or apply for a residence card on the child's behalf. This applies also even if the child was born in Norway and has been issued a Norwegian personal number.

• If the child is a citizen of an EU/EEA country, you may register the child via the registration scheme for EU/EEA nationals. Please note that the child must have its own passport before you can attend an appointment with the police.
• If the child is a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you may apply for the child to receive a residence card as a family member of EU/EEA nationals. Please note that the child must have its own passport before you can attend the appointment with the police.

There is no deadline for registering your child/applying for a residence card for children under the EU/EEU regulations. UDI recommends registering children or applying for a residence card on their behalf as soon as they have a passport.

Family immigration

You may apply for a family immigration residence permit for your child.

If a child is granted a family immigration residence permit, its parents will normally have to obtain a passport for the child from their home country in order to travel outside Norway. If the child holds such a passport, then it can visit the home country of the parents.

If contacting the authorities or the embassy of the parents' home country in order to obtain a passport puts the parents at risk, it is possible to apply for a Norwegian immigrant passport (blue) for the child instead.

One of the parents has protection status (asylum), and the other parent has permanent residency (on the original basis of refugee status):

The following information explains the various possibilities you have for your child:

Protection for family members of refugees (derived refugee status)

You may apply for protection for family members of refugees (derived refugee status) on behalf of the child.

If the child is granted derived refugee status, he or she will be issued a refugee travel document (green). The child will not be able to visit the parents' home country.

If the parents lose their refugee status at a later point in time, the child will lose its refugee status as well.

Protection (asylum)

You may apply for protection (asylum) for your child.

If the child is eligible for collective protection, we will grant collective protection to the child. Read more about applying for protection.

In order to apply you must visit the local police station where you live and hand in the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital. The police will then register an application for the child.

Family immigration

You may apply for a family immigration residence permit for your child

If a child is granted a family immigration residence permit, its parents will normally have to obtain a passport for the child from their home country in order to travel outside Norway. If the child holds such a passport, then it can visit the home country of the parents.

If contacting the authorities or the embassy of the parents' home country in order to obtain a passport puts the parents at risk, it is possible to apply for a Norwegian immigrant passport (blue) for the child instead.

If the parents are granted permanent residency

If both parents

• are granted a permanent residence permit or Norwegian citizenship before the child reaches one year of age, or
• fulfil the requirements for permanent residency or Norwegian citizenship and submit their applications for a permanent residence permit or Norwegian citizenship to the police before the child reaches one year of age

then it is also possible to apply for a permanent residence permit for your child. You must submit your child's application before the child reaches one year of age.

One of the parents has collective protection status, and the other parent has permanet residency (not based on refugee status):

The following information explains the various possibilities you have for your child:

Protection (asylum)

You may apply for protection (asylum) for your child

If the child is eligible for collective protection, we will grant collective protection to the child. Read more about applying for protection.

In order to apply you must visit the local police station where you live and hand in the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital. The police will then register an application for the child.

Family immigration

You may apply for a family immigration residence permit for your child

If a child is granted a family immigration residence permit, its parents will normally have to obtain a passport for the child from their home country in order to travel outside Norway. If the child holds such a passport, then it can visit the home country of the parents.

If contacting the authorities or the embassy of the parents' home country in order to obtain a passport puts the parents at risk, it is possible to apply for a Norwegian immigrant passport (blue) for the child instead.

If the parents have permanent residency

If both parents

• have been granted a permanent residence permit or Norwegian citizenship before the child reaches one year of age, or
• fulfil the requirements for permanent residency or Norwegian citizenship and submit their applications for a permanent residence permit or Norwegian citizenship to the police before the child reaches one year of age

then it is also possible to apply for a permanent residence permit for your child. You must submit your child's application before the child reaches one year of age.

The mother has collective protection status but the father's identity is unknown or he resides outside Norway:

The following information explains the various possibilities you have for your child:

Protection (asylum)

You may apply for protection (asylum) for your child

If the child is eligible for collective protection, we will grant collective protection to the child. Read more about applying for protection.

If you are living in an asylum reception centre you must present the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital to those working at the centre. The asylum reception centre will send it to its respective UDI regional office, and UDI will register an application for the child.

If you do not live in an asylum reception centre, you are to visit the local police station where you live to hand in the confirmation of birth document you received from the hospital. The police will then register an application for the child.

Family immigration

You may apply for a family immigration residence permit for your child

If a child is granted a family immigration residence permit, its parents will normally have to obtain a passport for the child from their home country in order to travel outside Norway. If the child holds such a passport, then it can visit the home country of the parents.

If contacting the authorities or the embassy of the parents' home country in order to obtain a passport puts the parents at risk, it is possible to apply for a Norwegian immigrant passport (blue) for the child instead.

If the mother's residence permit does not form the basis for a permanent residence permit, then the child's permit will not form the basis for permanent residency either.

Your permit is set to be extended automatically

If you received collective protection in connection with the situation in Ukraine, you will be granted an automatic extension of your residence permit when it expires. You do not have to do anything else to extend your permit.

We will process most of the cases three weeks before the residence permit expires. You will receive a letter with more information in the mail when your case has been processed. If you have a digital mailbox (Digipost), you will receive the letter there. If you do not have Digipost, you will receive the letter in the mail. It may then take up to two weeks before you receive the letter.

The new permit will be valid for one year from the date your previous permit expires.

There are, however, certain exceptions:

• you have been granted a different type of residence permit in Norway
• you have moved to a different country
• we discover that you did not actually meet the requirements for collective protection
• you have been outside Norway for longer than 6 months during your first year under collective protection

If any of the above exceptions apply to you, you will be notified that you no longer qualify for an extension of your collective protection residence permit.

You will be issued a new residence card

If you are granted an extension, you will receive a new residence card by post. This does not apply to children who were 5 years of age or younger on the date when their residence permit was granted. In these cases, the child will be required to go to the police station to provide a fingerprint. A separate letter will be sent for such cases.

If you have registered your e-mail address with UDI, you will receive an e-mail when we extend your residence permit and when we order a new residence card. It may take up to 20 days from the date UDI or the police order order the residence card until you receive the card in your mailbox. If you do not receive your residence card within 20 days from the date UDI or the police ordered your card, you need to contact the police at the place you are living.

Make sure that your name is on your postbox

It is important that you have your name on your postbox to ensure that your residence card is delivered. If you have children, their names must also be on the postbox.

Make sure we that have your correct address

It is important that you keep your postal address up to date in the National Population Register (Folkeregisteret) (external website) so that we send the residence card to the right address. If you sign up for an electronic ID (e-ID) (external website), you will also be able to receive other communications from us online.

Do not apply for renewal now even if you receive a notification from UDI

Unfortunately, some individuals with collective protection status received a message instructing them to renew their permits. This message was sent in error, so please disregard it. The standard procedure of applying for renewal within three months of a permit’s expiry date does not apply if you were granted collective protection in connection with the situation in Ukraine.

In March 2022, UDI started granting temporary collective protection to applicants with ties to Ukraine. These permits were valid for one year from the date of the decision. Even though the first permits issued expire in March, you do not need to do anything to renew your permit.

Yes, if you have a passport or other travel documents for foreign trips, you may travel out of Norway while you have collective protection. Please note that you must reside in Norway for at least half the time you have a permit.

Here you can read more information about what you need to know if you have been granted collective protection and want to return to Ukraine.

Yes, you can travel home to Ukraine, even if you have received collective protection in Norway. This applies regardless of whether peace has re-occurred in Ukraine or not.

Here you can read more about what you need to know if you are going to be out of the country for longer than half the time of your residence permit (6 months) or move from Norway.

After receiving collective protection in Norway, you can travel home to Ukraine, regardless of the security threat/situation in the country. You must have a valid passport or other travel documents for foreign travels to do so. If you can not travel visa-free in Schengen, you also need a residence card if you travel through countries in the Schengen area on your way to Ukraine.

If you are going to stay abroad for longer than six months, you must notify the Tax authorities (external website).

Moving from Norway or travelling out of Norway for an extended period can have consequences for your residence permit.

When you have received collective protection, it is a requirement that you stay in Norway at least half of the time you have a permit. If you have been granted a permit for one year, you must remain in Norway for at least six months. If you stay outside Norway/if you stay abroad longer, you will lose your residence permit.

If your residence permit expires while you are abroad, you must be aware that it is a requirement that you must be in Norway to apply for the renewal of your permit. If you cannot travel to Norway without a visa, you may have problems renewing your residence permit.

Ukrainians with collective protection in Norway can apply for repatriation if they wish so.

Due to the current security situation in the country, UDI cannot assist Ukrainians with support for their return to Ukraine for the time being. If you participate in the introductory program or receive financial support from NAV or other public agencies, you must contact the municipality or NAV. They can inform you about the consequences of your financial aid and what you need to do.

Ukrainians with collective protection in Norway can apply for repatriation if they wish so.

Here you can read more about what you need to know if you have been granted collective protection and want to leave Norway.

No. You cannot receive financial support after you have left Norway. To be eligible to receive financial support, you must have done the following:

• applied for financial support for voluntary return
• sent UDI information about the itinerary and transport home, a copy of tickets for the return journey or a self-declaration about the use of a private car
• notified the National Population Registry that you are moving
• informed UDI about your Norwegian bank account number
• received a decision that you will receive support for return from UDI