The reason for the suspension of the duty to return is the war between Hezbollah and Israel, and the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon.

Suspension of case processing

UDI will suspend making decisions that entail return to Lebanon. This applies both to rejections of applications for protection (asylum) and, in principle, to other decisions under the Immigration Act. UDI currently has 10 pending applications for protection from Lebanon, which will now be put on hold.

The suspension has been decided for a period of three months. We will closely monitor how the situation in Lebanon develops. By 18 June 2026, we will assess whether the suspension of the duty to return should be extended or lifted, and whether case processing should be resumed.

Lebanese nationals who are in Norway with expired residence permits or visas will not be refused entry or stay and forcibly returned as long as the suspension is in effect, even if they are no longer legally residing in Norway.

If a Lebanese national does not already have any established rights in Norway, such as the right to work, the suspension of the duty to return does not change this. The suspension only gives the person the right to remain legally in Norway for as long as the suspension is in force, even if a deadline for departure has been issued.

The suspension does not apply to Dublin cases

Individuals whose cases are covered by the Dublin III Regulation, or the first country of asylum rule, are not included in the suspension. They are still required to return to the first European country in which they applied for protection. That country is responsible for processing the case.

The National Police Immigration Service has been notified

The National Police Immigration Service (PU) has been notified that no individuals with a final decision on return are to be returned to Lebanon at this time.

You can read UNE’s press release regarding the suspension of the duty to return to Lebanon here (external website).