The Norwegian Government is decentralising asylum registration in connection with the war in Ukraine
Press release | No: 22 – 2022 | Date: 12/03/2022 | Last updated: 15/03/2022 | Ministry of Justice and Public Security
Due to the large number of Ukrainian refugees in Europe, the Norwegian Government is now making sure that asylum seekers can register at several locations throughout the country. This will make it easier for Ukrainians to apply for asylum wherever they are.
– We are preparing Norway for a refugee crisis that may become very large and challenging. This is why the Norwegian Government is now making sure that asylum seekers can register at several locations in Norway. This will reduce pressure on the National Arrivals Centre in Råde and make it easier for Ukrainians who are staying outside Eastern Norway to get registered, says Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl.
In principle, all asylum seekers who arrive in Norway must register at the National Arrivals Centre in Råde. The Norwegian Government is now taking further steps, including increasing the staffing of the National Police Immigration Service by about 100 positions, which will further increase registration capacity in Råde. The National Police Immigration Service has also expanded its capacity to assist asylum seekers prior to registration at the Scandic Helsfyr hotel.
– The police will initially register asylum seekers at several locations in eight police districts – Agder, Southwestern, Western, Møre og Romsdal, Trøndelag, Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. The police will need some time to make preparations. Registration will therefore open on Wednesday 16 March at 08:00, to ensure that registration is performed correctly and uniformly throughout the country. If necessary, registration may be offered at more locations,’ states Ms Mehl.
The remaining districts (Oslo, Eastern, Southeastern and Innlandet) will offer the same service at the National Arrivals Centre in Råde.
– I would like to stress that it is important that people who arrive in Norway, or who are already here, get registered. There are two sides to this. On the one hand, the Norwegian authorities need to know who is in the country. On the other, people must get registered in order to receive a temporary identification number (D number), which will give them access to services, says Ms Mehl.
Ukrainians with biometric passports can spend 90 days in Norway without a visa. They can stay in the country on a tourist visa during this period but must register if they want access to services from the authorities.