What happens during and after the interview at UDI?
In April 2024, UDI began interviewing some of the Ukrainian refugees waiting for the outcome of their applications for individual protection (asylum). These interviews are called asylum interviews. During the interview, you are to tell UDI about yourself and why you need protection.
Who is UDI interviewing?
We start by interviewing single, childless adults who have not stayed in other safe countries (see the list of countries deemed safe by UDI, available in Norwegian only (external website)). But not everyone in this group will be invited for an interview at this time.
We at UDI select who to invite for an interview. You cannot contact UDI and ask to be interviewed.
It may take some time before we have notified all people being interviewed. The first persons to be interviewed were notified in April.
How do I know if I'm going to an interview?
If we are going to interview you, we will send you an invitation.
- If you are staying in an asylum reception centre, the staff at the centre will notify you and help you to figure out how to travel to UDI for your interview. If you need to stay overnight, the asylum reception centre staff will organise your accommodations.
- If you live at a private address, UDI will call you first to inform you about the date of your interview. We will then send you an email with the invitation details. You are to make travel arrangements to UDI on your own, but you will be reimbursed for your expenses. The invitation email will have a reimbursement form attached for you to fill out and send back to UDI by email or post. If you live far away, we can arrange for you to stay at a hotel the night before your interview. You can arrange this with UDI during your phone call.
If you live in private housing, it is important that your contact information is up to date with UDI. Please contact UDI if you have changed your telephone number or email after you registered with the police.
If you are invited for an interview, you are obligated to attend.
What happens at the interview?
Interviews are usually held at UDI's offices in Oslo or Trondheim. Interviews can also be conducted online, to be set up by the asylum reception centre. During your interview, you will meet the person in charge of the interview and an interpreter.
You will be given ample information about what to expect during the interview and the opportunity to ask questions. The interview will be thorough and will often take a full day. The asylum interview is intended to find out whether you, as an individual, need protection. The questions asked as part of the interview will primarily be about your individual reasons for needing protection in Norway, and not the general situation in Ukraine.
The information we gather during your interview will be important for our assessment of whether to grant you protection in Norway.
What happens after the interview?
It may take a while before you are notified of the decision, even though you have been through an interview.
Your rights and obligations in Norway will remain unchanged until you receive a response to your application, regardless of whether you have been interviewed or not. In addition, you can apply a temporary work permit.
No further information about these interviews is available from UDI. We will not be able to provide any more information even if you call our Information Service.