An application for asylum gets either a YES or a NO answer . Many asylum seekers are refused permission to stay in Norway and must return home.
Having your application for asylum turned down may feel unjust. Many people think they have very good reasons for being allowed to stay in Norway. You may have left your house and possessions behind in order to flee to Norway. But if your application has been rejected, it means that the Norwegian authorities do not believe there are good enough grounds to grant you asylum.
If you have received a final rejection of your application for asylum, the authorities expect you to return to your homeland. You will normally have a duty to leave the country within 2 – 3 weeks of receiving notification of your final rejection.
It is important that you and your family are prepared for the possibility of such a final rejection through the knowledge of what you are able to do. You should have a realistic view of your chances of being granted asylum. If you have travelled with children to Norway, it is particularly important that you explain to them what will happen if your application fails.
Refusal
If your application for asylum is refused, an attorney will be appointed to you. You have the right to appeal against the decision to refuse your application. Your attorney will help you formulate your appeal.
Returning home
If a final decision has been made to reject your application for asylum, you must leave Norway. You will be invited to a meeting with the staff at your asylum reception centre. They will tell you what opportunities are open to you now that your application has been finally rejected.
You can apply to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for help and financial assistance with your return journey.. Help will be provided on the condition that you return to your homeland voluntarily.
The IOM will help you obtain travel documents. Travel with the IOM is free of charge. The advantage of applying to the IOM is that all your costs will be paid for you, and you will receive help to obtain travel documents and plane tickets.
You must apply to the IOM for support before the deadline for returning home has expired. Talk to the staff at your reception centre.
Forced repatriation
If you are still in Norway after the date by which you should have returned home, your case will be handed over to the police. You will be transported out of the country by force if you do not leave voluntarily. In the case of a forced repatriation, you will owe the Norwegian authorities for your removal costs. These costs must be paid before you will be allowed to re-enter the country.
Financial support when returning home
If you have been granted leave to stay in Norway but still want to return home, you may qualify for financial support (Return Assistance). In addition to this assistance, the Norwegian authorities will pay your travel fares. You do not qualify for this assistance if your application is still being processed or if your application has been rejected. In some countries of origin you will find the possibility of qualifying for financial support for the first period of time after returning home. Information on such assistance can be provided by the employees at the reception centre, by IOM (International Organization for Migration) and by the the regional office at the UDI.
