If you apply for protection (asylum) in Norway and meet the requirements to be granted protection, you will normally be granted a residence permit in Norway and refugee status. If you do not meet the requirements for protection, the immigration authorities are obliged to consider whether you meet the requirements for a residence permit on grounds of strong humanitarian considerations or connection to the country.
Protection
You will normally be granted a residence permit in Norway and refugee status if you meet the requirements to be granted protection.
In order to be recognised as a refugee, you must have a well-founded fear of persecution based on your political conviction, race, nationality, religion or membership of a particular social group, or there must be a real risk that you will face the death penalty, torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on return to your home country.
The security situation in your home country can also constitute a reason for you to be entitled to protection, even though you are not individually persecuted.
Norway is obliged through international treaties, including the UN Refugee Convention and human rights conventions, to protect you from being returned to your home country if you are in a situation as described above.
Residence on humanitarian grounds
If you are not granted protection, the UDI must always consider whether you can be granted a residence permit on grounds of strong humanitarian considerations or a special connection to Norway. In such cases, we will always make an overall assessment of your case.
The UDI emphasises, among other things, your health situation and the social and humanitarian situation if you were to return to your home country. If you have been a victim of human trafficking, this will be emphasised. If you are unaccompanied and under 18 years of age, we will consider whether you will have satisfactory care on return to you home country.
The UDI will also consider whether immigration regulation considerations indicate that you should not be given a permit on grounds of strong humanitarian considerations. In this assessment, we will emphasise the potential societal consequences of granting your and similar applications.
If your need is temporary, for example in the event of medical needs, you can be granted a temporary permit.
If you haven't submitted a valid and real passport your case will normally be rejected, or you can be granted a limited permit. This permit does not form a basis for a permanent residence permit or family immigration.
Further information
If you have further questions about this topic, contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, the nearest police district or the UDI’s Information Service.
