Norway links Afghan refugee-status reviews to residence and citizenship decisions
Instruction GI-07/2026 took effect on 16 October and requires individual assessment with specified exclusions.
Norway’s Justice Ministry issued immediately effective instruction GI-07/2026 on 16 October. It directs UDI to open cessation or revocation reviews for Afghan nationals within the existing GI-15/2020 framework. Each case must be assessed individually against personal circumstances and current country information; opening a review does not automatically cancel status.[1][2]
It covers people holding temporary residence and refugee status under section 28 when the instruction took effect, excluding women, girls and unaccompanied minors then under 16. Resettled quota refugees, collective-protection holders, permanent residents and holders of humanitarian permits under section 38 are outside its scope.[2]
UDI must not grant permanent residence until the cessation or revocation case is finally decided. The same applies to citizenship applicants who do not already have permanent residence. Temporary permits may still be renewed and travel-document applications handled meanwhile. The instruction also requires cases to be dealt with within a reasonable time.[2]
Official sources
This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.