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Temporary Collective Protection (Midlertidig kollektiv beskyttelse)
NorwayNorway•Europe
Open

Temporary Collective Protection (Midlertidig kollektiv beskyttelse)

Residency Pathway Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Overview

Temporary collective protection for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the 2022 war, granted one year at a time and extendable up to five years total.

Temporary Collective Protection in Norway provides humanitarian shelter for Ukrainian nationals displaced by the 2022 conflict. The UDI grants status via nationality and displacement alone, without individual persecution proof. Applicants must not hold residency elsewhere or dual citizenship in a UDI-designated safe country; men aged 18–60 and residents of safe Ukrainian regions face exclusions.

Initial grant of one year, renewable annually up to five years. The visa is free; processing is fast-tracked. Work authorization included; spouses and dependents may apply. Registration occurs at the National Arrival Centre in Råde, involving identity document submission, police interviews, fingerprinting, tuberculosis screening, and Caritas assessment before transfer to an asylum centre.

This visa is ideal for Ukrainian nationals fleeing active conflict who seek immediate legal residency and work rights in Norway.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant1 year

Eligible Nationalities (1)

UkraineUkraine

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

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Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a Ukrainian citizen who was a resident in Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Must have fled Ukraine due to the war.

Must not have residency in a country other than Ukraine or Norway as of 24 February 2022.

Must not have stayed illegally in Norway or had a duty to return on 24 February 2022.

Must not have dual citizenship in a country considered safe by the UDI.

Must not have another valid residence permit in Norway.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not qualifying for collective protection (applies to new applications on or after 5 May 2026); exceptions exist for sole carers of children, those with documented military exemption, and medical evacuees via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Persons from the 14 Ukrainian regions designated safe by UDI (including Lviv, Kyiv province, Zakarpattia, and others) are excluded from collective protection and must pursue individual protection instead (applies to applications after 28 September 2024).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid Ukrainian passport (biometric or non-biometric) or national ID card.

Birth certificate or other identity documents.

Documentation of residence in Ukraine as of 24 February 2022 (e.g. internal passport, marriage/divorce certificates).

If applicable: proof of protection status in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Work authorization and access to Norwegian welfare system included
  • Fast-track processing compared to standard individual asylum
  • One year renewable annually, extendable up to 5 years total
  • Family members qualifying with spouse having unrestricted work permission
  • Free application (documentation of Ukrainian residency on 24 Feb 2022 required)
  • No minimum education, experience, or job offer requirements
  • Ukrainian citizens in conflict zone prioritized regardless of background

Worth Knowing

  • Temporary status by design; does not lead to permanent residency after 5 years
  • Men aged 18-60 excluded unless sole carers, medically evacuated, or militarily exempt
  • Residents of 14 designated 'safe' Ukrainian regions must apply for individual protection instead
  • Closed to non-Ukrainian citizens; nationality requirement strictly enforced
  • Contingent on Ukraine conflict; status may be revoked if geopolitical conditions change

Application Process

1

Arrive in Norway

2

Travel to the National Arrival Centre in Råde (approximately 116 km south of Oslo Airport)

3

Complete registration

police interview, provide fingerprints and photo, submit passport and identity documents, undergo tuberculosis testing, meet with Caritas

4

Move to an asylum reception centre after completing registration

5

Await UDI decision on application

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