An asylum seeker is a person who comes to Norway on his/her own and requests protection. If the asylum application is granted, the applicant will be granted refugee status (asylum) and protection in Norway.

Norway is obliged under international law to protect persons who are persecuted or risk e.g. torture or the death penalty in their home countries. These persons can be recognised as refugees in Norway.

Resettlement refugees are persons who are able to come to Norway as a result of collaboration between the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Norwegian authorities. The number of refugees resettled in Norway each year is decided by the political authorities.