Returning to Ukraine
Yes, you can go home to Ukraine, even if you have been granted collective protection in Norway. This applies regardless of whether or not the war has ended. Please note that you must stay in Norway for at least half of the period the permit is valid.
When you travel abroad, you must have:
- a valid passport/immigrant’s passport/travel document for refugees
- a valid residence card
If you cannot travel without a visa in the Schengen area, you need a residence card if you are travelling through countries in the Schengen area on your way to Ukraine.
On the Directorate of Immigration's (UDI) website you will find more information about what you need to know if you are going to stay abroad for longer than half the period your residence permit is valid (6 months) or move from Norway.
After you have been granted collective protection in Norway, you can move back to Ukraine. This applies regardless of whether or not the war has ended. When you travel abroad, you must have:
- a valid passport/immigrant’s passport/travel document for refugees
- a valid residence card
If you cannot travel without a visa in the Schengen area, you need a residence card if you are travelling through countries in the Schengen area on your way to Ukraine.
If you are going to stay abroad for longer than six months, you must report a change of address to the Norwegian Tax Administration.
Read more about reporting a change of address to the Norwegian Tax Administration.
If you move from Norway, or stay abroad for a long time, there may be some consequences for your residence permit. Once you have been granted collective protection, it is a requirement that you stay in Norway for at least half of the period the permit is valid. This means that if you are granted a residence permit that is valid for one year, you must stay in Norway for at least six months. If you stay abroad longer, you will lose your residence permit.
If your residence permit expires while you are abroad, you must be aware that you are required to be in Norway to apply for renewal of your permit. This means that if you cannot travel to Norway without a visa, you may have problems renewing your residence permit.
Refugees from Ukraine with collective protection in Norway can apply for a repatriation grant.
If you are taking part in the Introduction Programme or receiving financial support from NAV or other public agencies, you must contact the municipality or NAV and state that you wish to travel abroad. They can explain the consequences this will have for the support you receive, and what you need to do.
Ukrainians with collective protection in Norway can apply for repatriation if they wish so.
On The Directorate of Immigration's website you will find more information about repatriation.
No. You cannot receive support after you have left Norway. To receive a repatriation grant, you must have:
- applied for a repatriation grant
- sent the UDI information about your travel route and transport home, a copy of tickets for your return or a self-declaration on the use of a private car
- notified the National Registry that you are moving
- informed the UDI about your Norwegian bank account number
- received a decision that you will receive a repatriation grant from the UDI
On The Directorate of Immigration's website you will find more information about repatriation.
You must notify the Tax Administration if you’re moving from Norway and are planning to stay in a country outside the Nordic region for more than six months. If you’re moving to another Nordic country, your move only needs to be reported in the country you’re moving to.