Can I return to Ukraine, even though I have collective protection in Norway?
You can no longer travel back and forth between Ukraine and Norway if you have been granted collective protection, at least not without consequences for your residence permit. Your residence permit may be revoked if you travel to Ukraine without a valid reason. There are very few reasons for travelling to Ukraine that will be approved.
This applies from and including 12 December 2023. The changes also apply if you were granted temporary collective protection before 12 December 2023.
What happens if I travel back to Ukraine?
If you visit your home country, you show the Norwegian authorities that you may no longer need protection in Norway. Therefore, UDI will consider whether you should lose your residence permit.
If we receive information that you have been to Ukraine, we will open a case to consider whether you should lose your residence permit. You will receive notice that we have opened such a case. You will then have the opportunity to explain why you have travelled. UDI will look at the reason why you went home before we decide whether you should lose your permit. This process may take a long time.
If we decide that you will lose your residence permit, you will receive a decision letter. The decision letter states why we are revoking your residence permit. You can appeal the decision.
If you receive a notice that we are opening a case or a decision on revocation, you have the right to have the costs of a lawyer covered. You must contact a lawyer yourself. You may find some examples on this website (external website)
You have the right to see the documents in your case. If you want to see the documents, you can request access.
Read more about what happens when we consider whether you should lose your permit here.
I really need to travel to Ukraine. Will I lose my residence permit if I go?
You can return to Ukraine if you have a legitimate purpose for the trip. By legitimate purpose, we mean a short visit to do something strictly necessary, such as visiting a close relative who is seriously ill or attending the funeral of a close family member.
The threshold for UDI considering a trip’s purpose to be legitimate is very high, and only exceptional situations will be accepted.
UDI cannot pre-approve the trip. This means that we cannot approve the purpose of your trip before you travel.
If you travel and the UDI opens up a case to consider revoking your residence permit, you will be given a chance to explain or present documentation, for example medical records for a family member who has fallen ill.
What happens if my residence permit is revoked?
If you lose your collective-protection status in Norway, you also lose the right to be granted collective protection again. There will be a number of ramifications in terms of your rights in Norway.