Information regarding the situation in Afghanistan and applications about residence in Norway

Evacuation from Kabul has been terminated (external website). Norwegian authorities can no longer assist with departure from Kabul. We know that it may be challenging to leave Afghanistan now. Unfortunately, UDI cannot answer questions regarding leaving Afghanistan or the situation in Kabul.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises all Norwegian citizens against travelling to Afghanistan. When the Norwegian embassy in Kabul is closed, Norwegian authorities will not be able to provide consular assistance to Norwegian citizens who experience challenges when travelling to Afghanistan.

UDI has previously decided that the reference person in Norway can submit an application on behalf of close relatives in Afghanistan. However, more examinations are often needed, such as DNA testing and interviews.

Applications may take time because

• the applicant who will be interviewed still has to meet at a VFS Application Centre in Pakistan. If the case investigations include a DNA test, the applicant has to meet in person at the embassy in Islamabad to conduct the DNA test. 
• the reference person must conduct an interview with the police in Norway. 
• applicants who have received a residence permit in Norway must meet at a VFS Application Centre in Pakistan to obtain an entry visa to Norway. 

Due to this, the waiting time will be as long as the waiting time for applicants from other countries, where similar examinations must be done. Here you will find more information regarding the estimated waiting time for applications submitted last year.

Although UDI monitors the situation in Afghanistan, no general priority has been given because the applicant is in Afghanistan. Applicants who want priority must request this, and an individual assessment will be made. 

If you have further questions regarding the prioritization of your application, you can use our guide to check if your case can be moved to the front of the queue. 

Due to the current security situation in Afghanistan and difficulties crossing national borders, it will temporarily be possible for a family member in Norway (the reference person) to apply for family immigration on behalf of a family member who is in Afghanistan.

You can read how to apply here. 

It is a requirement that the person in Norway has been granted a residence permit in Norway. There are also income requirements in family immigration cases. There are exemptions to this income requirement if the reference person has recently received protection (asylum) and the application has been registered within 6 months after the date stated in the first decision letter the reference person received.

Several requirements apply to obtain family immigration. Amongst other things, the marriage must be valid and entered into voluntarily. You will find an overview of additional requirements by answering our web page's questions, «Want to apply for family immigration».

There are no changes in which family members can obtain a family immigration permit from Afghanistan. 

Those who usually apply for family immigration are spouses or children of a person who already lives in Norway. Other examples are parents who have minor children in Norway or minor full siblings of persons residing in Norway.

Adult siblings, aunts/uncles, grandparents, nephews/nieces, cousins, or other distant relatives cannot get family immigration to Norway.

There are neither no changes in the requirements to obtain a family immigration permit. For information regarding the requirements for your case type, please follow this link and answer the questions to find the relevant information. 

If you have been granted a residence permit and cannot travel to Norway within the entry deadline, you may request to have the deadline extended. UDI will usually extend the entry deadline as long as the conditions for the permit are still valid. You may, for example, have the deadline extended if the reason why you cannot travel to Norway within the entry deadline is problems with travelling out of Afghanistan or receiving an exit permit from Pakistan. We ask that you do not contact us until you know that you are able to travel. When you are ready to travel, you can contact us by selecting the correct type of case here.

Please visit our page for waiting times for those who have applied for protection (asylum).

There is no change in the application process for a residence permit in Norway, and the rules for family immigration are the same. However, there is a change in how you can apply for family immigration.

To apply for protection in Norway, you must be in Norway or at the Norwegian border to apply. It is not possible to apply for asylum in Norway from a different country. Afghans who may get residence through the quota refugee scheme must have a direct or indirect connection to Norway. There is no quota for receiving refugees from Afghanistan, except for those who have a connection to Norway. If you are outside Afghanistan, please get in touch with UNHCR where you are staying (external website). It is the UNHCR that decides whether you can be considered a refugee.

If you are in Afghanistan and you previously received a final rejection on an application for protection or another residence permit, the case in which you have received a decision will not be reconsidered.

Please be aware that the Norwegian authorities have stopped the evacuation in Kabul.

We know that many experience challenges in leaving Afghanistan now. Unfortunately, UDI cannot help people get out of Afghanistan. 

I have an expired Afghan passport. What do I do?

The Afghan Embassy in Oslo is now accepting applications for national passports for Afghan citizens residing in Norway. If you are an Afghan citizen without refugee status, you now apply for a passport at the Afghan Embassy in Oslo.

UDI will assess whether a group of people from Afghanistan who have been granted protection and have a temporary residence permit still need protection in Norway. This process is called cessation and withdrawal of protection.

The reason for this is that the government has decided that UDI must assess the need for protection when the security, political or human rights situation in a country has changed, so that it is safe for many people to return.

Since the Taliban took power in 2021, the situation in Afghanistan has changed, and the changes are stable enough that many people no longer need protection.

UDI will assess whether you still need protection if you

• have been granted protection, and
• have a temporary residence permit, and
• are a man over the age of 16

UDI will not reassess your need for protection if you

• are an unaccompanied minor under the age of 16, or
• are a woman, or
• are a resettlement refugee, or
• have a permanent residence permit, or
• are a Norwegian citizen, or
• have a residence permit due to strong humanitarian considerations  

You will receive an advance notice
If UDI considers that you no longer need protection, you will receive an advance notice from us. An advance notice is a letter in which we explain why we are considering whether you still need protection and ask you to explain your view of the case.

Reply to the advance notice
It is important that you reply to the advance notice. Your reply is important for UDI’s decision. Your reply should include information about your attachment to Norway, your health and why you still need protection.

You may receive legal assistance to write your reply to the advance notice. The costs will be covered, and you do not have to pay for this yourself. You must contact a lawyer yourself. You can find a lawyer at advokatenhjelperdeg.no (external website) or tilsynet.no (external website).

Reply from UDI
UDI will consider your reply and decide whether you can keep your residence permit or whether your residence permit will be withdrawn.

In cases involving children, the best interests of the child will be a fundamental consideration.

We may decide that you can keep your residence permit if

• you still need protection, or
• you have a special attachment to Norway, or
• there are strong humanitarian considerations in your case

We may decide to withdraw your residence permit. If so, you will receive a decision from UDI. The decision will explain why UDI is withdrawing your residence permit.

You have the right to appeal
If you receive a decision stating that you will lose your residence permit, you can appeal.

If you have applied for a permanent residence permit or Norwegian citizenship, we will not decide your application until we have decided whether you still have the right to protection in Norway. 

If a member of your family has applied for family immigration with you, we will not process their application until we have decided whether you still have the right to protection in Norway.