Repatriation
Do you hold a residence permit in Norway based on an application for protection, but want to move back to your home country? You can apply for support from the Norwegian authorities to move back to your original home country on a permanent basis.
Can you receive support to return to your home country?
Everyone who has been granted protection (asylum) or residence on grounds of strong humanitarian considerations may apply for repatriation support. You may also receive support if you have a residence permit on the basis of family immigration with a person belonging to one of these groups.
Persons who are currently Norwegian nationals will normally not be given repatriation support, but it is possible to apply for dispensation.
At least three months must have passed since you were granted residence.
Application form
The application must be submitted to the UDI's regional office in the region where you live.
You will be paid the support in Norway before your departure.
How much support can you get?
- Your travel expenses will be covered. The UDI books and pays for your ticket. You cannot book the tickets yourself if the expenses are to be covered by the Norwegian authorities.
- You will receive a cash sum of NOK 10,000. This is meant to help you resettle in your home country.
- In addition, you will receive NOK 5,000 to cover the transportation of your personal belongings.
Are you allowed to return to Norway?
- If you hold a permanent residence permit, you can apply to the police to have this permit stamped in a passport issued by the authorities of your original home country. A permanent residence permit entitles you to return to Norway within two years of your departure date.
- If you have a temporary residence permit, you may return to Norway as long as the permit is valid.
- If you neither have a permanent residence permit nor a valid residence permit, but wish to return to Norway, you must apply for a new residence permit. Each application is assessed on an individual basis, and there is no guarantee that it will be granted. The same applies to persons with a permanent residence permit who have spent more than two years outside Norway.
Do you have to repay the support if you return to Norway?
If you move back to Norway, you must repay the amount you have received from the authorities in full or in part, with the exception of travel expenses. The amount you have to pay back depends on the duration of your stay in your home country.
Rates for repayment of repatriation support:
| Number of months spent in the home country |
Amount to be repaid |
| Less than 12 months |
NOK 15 000,- |
| 13-18 months |
NOK 10 000,- |
| 18-24 months |
NOK 5 000,- |
| More than 24 months |
NOK 0,- |
If you have to flee because of abuse in your home country, you can apply for exemption from repaying the support on your return to Norway. The UDI assesses each application individually.
Further information
Last updated
06.03.2012
Published
05.05.2006
