Further postponement of the duty to return to Afghanistan


UDI and UNE have decided to postpone further the duty to return to Afghanistan until 31 January 2022. This means that the police will not carry out forced returns to Afghanistan during this period.

Published: 02.12.2021

People who have received a final decision to return to Afghanistan are not obliged to leave Norway for as long as the suspension of returns lasts. This applies to people from Afghanistan who:

  • have had their application for protection rejected
  • have been deported from Norway
  • have had their residence permit revoked
  • reside in Norway, and has had their application for a residence permit rejected

Persons with cases covered by the Dublin III Convention or the First Asylum Rule are not covered by the postponement of the duty to return. They are still to return to the European country where they first applied for protection.

By 31 January 2022, UDI and UNE will reassess the return situation to Afghanistan, and whether the suspension should be extended or lifted. If the situation is clarified at an earlier stage, we may reconsider whether the case processing will be resumed before the period is over.

Read UNE's briefing on the suspension of the duty to return to Afghanistan (external website).

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