Norway lifts collective protection for six regions in Ukraine, impacting refugee status

Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2014, seizing Crimea and parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion but has encountered strong resistance from the Ukrainian military. The conflict has resulted in significant military casualties and devastating impacts on civilians.

Norway has announced the lifting of collective protection for six regions in Ukraine, effective immediately. The Norwegian Justice Ministry stated that Ukrainians arriving from areas that the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) deems safe will no longer be covered by the collective protection scheme. These regions include Lviv, Volyn, Zakarpatska, Ivano Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Rivne, which are located in the west of the country.

Justice Minister Emilie Mehl emphasized the need for controlled and sustainable immigration, ensuring it does not disproportionately exceed levels seen in comparable Nordic countries. As of September 27, refugees from these six regions will not automatically qualify for residency permits. Refugees arriving from other areas of Ukraine will continue to receive temporary collective protection for one year, allowing them and their immediate family members – partners, spouses, and children under 18 – to stay in Norway.

Mehl indicated that this adjustment will allow for more precise targeting of those with genuine protection needs, suggesting that individuals from the affected regions will face individual assessments according to standard asylum procedures, potentially resulting in application rejections. Since the onset of the conflict, Norway has taken in over 85,000 Ukrainians and implemented several tightening measures. The new regulations do not apply to patients evacuated from Ukraine or their relatives.