Frequently asked questions from residents

The waiting times for applications for protection (asylum) varies depending on the situation in your home country. 

On our page "Waiting times for those who have applied for protection (asylum)", you can enter your home country to find more specific information about your estimated waiting time.

The UDI can sometimes need more time than expected to process an application. This might be because we have to do more investigations in the application, or because we have received an unexpected number of applications.

If we require any additional information, the UDI will always contact the person in question.

We have created two short films explaining why some applications take longer than others. The films are available in multiple languages.

• Norwegian film about waiting time (external website)
• Arabian film about waiting time (external website)
• Dari film about waiting time (external website) 
• Farsi film about waiting time (external website)
• French film about waiting time (external website)
• Pashto film about waiting time (external website) 
• Tigrinja film about waiting time (external website)
• Somali film about waiting time (external website)
• Turkish film about waiting time (external website)

Asylum seekers in Norway have to apply for a temporary work permit to be allowed to work. In order to apply for a work permit, you must have completed your asylum interview and have a valid passport.

Read more about temporary work permits on our page about work for asylum seekers.

Yes, you may apply to be moved to a different reception centre, but you need to provide a good reason for moving.

In order to move to a different reception centre, you have to apply at your regional office. Not everyone who wants to move will have their application approved. 

You must provide a compelling reason to move, such as:

• You have close family in, or near to, the reception centre you want to be moved to
• You need medical treatment that requires you to move
• You have received an offer of a job or education that requires you to move
• You are nationally and linguistically isolated at your current reception centre

You have to document your reason to move yourself. 

Even when you have documented your reason for moving, we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed to move to the reception centre you requested. The reception centre may not have a vacant place for you, or there may be other reasons as to why the move is not possible.

Form for moving between reception centres

• Application to move to a new asylum reception centre (pdf, 565 kB)

Remember to notify the reception centre and your local police of your upcoming move. It is important that we know your new address in order to reach you about your case.

To renew your asylum seeker card, you have to contact the police (eksternt nettsted).

The asylum seeker card is a card confirming that you have applied for protection (asylum) in Norway, and that you can legally stay in Norway while we process your application.

Read more on our page about asylum seeker cards.

Yes, you can apply for a leave of absence from your reception centre. This allows you to be away from the centre for a period of time without losing your place at the centre.

If you are placed in a reception centre, remember to always get permission for any absence longer than a normal weekend. If not, you may lose your placement.

Read more on our page about leave of absence from a reception centre.