What is assisted return?

The UDI and International Organization for Migration (IOM) offer practical support and financial grants to those who want to return home.

The aim is to facilitate assisted return through a dedicated programme that offers asylum seekers and foreign nationals without legal residence in Norway an organised, safe and dignified means of returning home.

The target group and their situation

Everyone who applies for protection (asylum) in Norway receives a decision from the UDI. The decision is made after an assessment of the conditions in the applicant’s home country, and an assessment of the information they submit to the UDI and the police, both in an interview and in the submitted documents. Asylum seekers who are entitled to protection are granted a residence permit in Norway.

Asylum seekers who are not entitled to protection, will not be granted a residence permit in Norway and must return home. Through the assisted return scheme, migrants are given help and money to return home and resettle in their home country. Assisted return is an alternative to staying in Norway without legal residence and risk being forcibly returned by the police (external website) and expelled from the Schengen area.

Irregular migrants: Who makes up this group?

All foreign nationals who stay illegally in Norway, are irregular migrants. Those whose application for protection or application for another type of residence has been rejected, must return to their home country. If they do not do so, they are staying illegally in Norway, and will be escorted out of the country against their will by the police.

Read more about who is eligible for assisted return. 

What does it mean to stay in Norway without legal residence?

When people are staying in Norway without legal residence, they have few rights. They are not entitled to healthcare, except in an emergency situation, and nor do they have a work permit, and therefore no opportunity to earn a legal income.

Why is assisted return a good alternative?

Those who choose assisted return, return home with dignity. They get the opportunity to plan their journey, and they have more control over their own life. They also receive money and transport for the journey to their home country.

It is important to leave the country before the deadline in order to avoid being expelled from Norway and the whole Schengen area.

See which rules apply to different countries and find information about how to apply for assisted return.

 

Go to application form

 

 

More information

  • Film about assisted return – Children and young

  • Film about assisted return - Somalia

  • Information for lawyers and representatives

  • Information for reception centre employees
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What happens if you do not leave Norway voluntarily?

  • You are not allowed to work or study in Norway.
  • You will be expelled from Norway and other Schengen countries for a period of 1–5 years. During this period, you cannot travel to Norway or other Schengen countries.
  • The police will deport you.
  • You cannot return to Norway until you have paid the costs of your deportation.
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Questions about assisted return?

Call us at +47 404 36 196, or email us varp@udi.no.

The IOM (International Organization for Migration) also provides information and guidance about assisted return (+47 23 10 53 20).

You will find more information about assisted return on IOM's website, where there are also brochures in different languages (external website).

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