Collective Protection — Residence Permit and Renewal

COLLECTIVE PROTECTION — RESIDENCE PERMIT AND RENEWAL

This article explains how residence permits under Norway's temporary collective protection scheme work, how permits are extended, what happens when a permit is close to expiring, and which circumstances can affect an extension.

The rules concerning collective protection can change. Always check the latest information from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and your own decision before relying on this information.

1. HOW LONG IS A COLLECTIVE PROTECTION PERMIT VALID?

A residence permit granted under the collective protection scheme is normally valid for one year at a time.

This means that collective protection is not normally granted as one residence permit covering several years from the beginning. Instead, the permit is extended from year to year if the person continues to meet the requirements and the collective protection scheme continues.

UDI currently states that a person can be granted collective protection for up to five years, provided that the requirements for the permit continue to be met.

The five-year period is therefore a maximum under the current scheme, not a guarantee that every person will automatically receive five years.

2. IS A NEW APPLICATION NEEDED EVERY YEAR?

For most people who are eligible for an extension, no new application for collective protection is required.

UDI processes most eligible extensions automatically.

UDI normally processes the extension shortly before the current permit expires. The current UDI information says that most cases are processed approximately three weeks before the expiry date of the previous permit.

You should therefore not assume that you need to submit a new application simply because the expiry date on your current residence card is approaching.

Always check your personal information and the current UDI instructions.

3. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN UDI EXTENDS THE PERMIT?

When the permit is extended, the new permit is normally valid for one year from the expiry of the previous permit.

The extension does not normally mean that you receive a completely new type of residence status.

You continue under the collective protection scheme as long as you remain eligible and the scheme continues.

4. CAN MY PERMIT BE EXTENDED IF MY AREA OF UKRAINE IS NOW CONSIDERED SAFE?

Yes.

UDI states that a person who has already been granted collective protection can have the permit extended even if the area in Ukraine where the person previously lived is now considered safe.

The rules concerning safe areas are particularly important when applying for collective protection for the first time. They do not automatically mean that an existing collective protection permit will stop being extended simply because the classification of an area has changed.

5. HOW LONG CAN COLLECTIVE PROTECTION LAST?

Under the current rules, collective protection can be granted for up to five years in total, provided that the person continues to meet the requirements.

The five-year limit applies to the current collective protection scheme.

After five years, a person cannot currently assume that collective protection will continue indefinitely. The Norwegian authorities have not established a general rule guaranteeing continuation of collective protection beyond the current five-year maximum.

People approaching the end of the five-year period should therefore follow new information from the Norwegian authorities and UDI.

6. WHAT IF MY PERMIT EXPIRES WHILE UDI IS PROCESSING THE EXTENSION?

UDI states that people who are having their collective protection permit extended retain the same rights to work, study and other relevant rights while waiting for the decision, even if the previous residence permit expires during the processing period.

This means that an approaching expiry date does not automatically mean that a person loses the right to stay, work or study while an eligible extension is being processed.

Keep documentation concerning your residence status and follow the instructions from UDI and the police.

7. WHAT IF I DO NOT RECEIVE A NEW RESIDENCE CARD YET?

The residence permit and the physical residence card are not the same thing.

A residence card is evidence of your residence status and is useful when travelling and when documenting your status.

If your permit has been extended but you have not yet received the physical card, follow the current instructions from UDI and the police concerning your residence card.

Do not assume that the absence of a new physical card automatically means that your residence permit has ended.

8. DO I NEED TO KEEP MY ADDRESS UPDATED?

Yes.

You should make sure that your address information in the Norwegian National Population Register is correct.

UDI specifically advises people with collective protection to keep their postal address updated in the National Population Register.

Incorrect address information can cause important letters or other communication to be sent to the wrong address.

If you move to another municipality, make sure that your registration is updated according to the applicable Norwegian rules.

9. WHAT CAN PREVENT AN EXTENSION?

Not everyone automatically receives an extension.

UDI may refuse to extend collective protection in situations where the person no longer meets the requirements or where one of the applicable exclusion rules applies.

Examples mentioned by UDI include situations where:

- the person has dual citizenship and the other country is considered safe under the applicable rules; - the person has another residence permit or status that affects the basis for collective protection; - UDI believes that the person has moved permanently from Norway; - the original requirements for collective protection were not met; - other circumstances mean that the person is no longer covered by the collective protection scheme.

The exact reason in an individual case must be assessed from the person's circumstances and the current UDI rules.

10. WHAT ABOUT MEN BETWEEN 18 AND 60?

The rules changed for new applicants from 5 May 2026.

Men between 18 and 60 who apply for collective protection from 5 May 2026 are generally no longer covered by the collective protection scheme.

There are exceptions, including certain cases involving permanent exemption from military service or sole day-to-day care of a child.

This change does not apply in the same way to people who already have collective protection or people whose existing collective protection is being extended.

If you already have collective protection and your permit is being extended, the new rule for first-time applicants should not be interpreted as automatically cancelling your existing protection.

11. WHAT IF I APPLIED BEFORE 5 MAY 2026?

UDI states that people who applied for collective protection before 5 May 2026 can have their permit extended, provided the applicable conditions for extension continue to be met.

This is different from the rule for people who first apply after 5 May 2026.

Always check the date of your application and the reason on which your collective protection was granted.

12. WHAT IF I APPLIED AFTER 5 MAY 2026 AND WAS GRANTED PROTECTION UNDER AN EXCEPTION?

There are special rules for people who applied after 5 May 2026 and were granted collective protection because they qualified for an exception to the restriction for men aged 18 to 60.

UDI states that people who were granted collective protection because they have a permanent exemption from military service can have the permit extended.

People who were granted collective protection because they have sole custody of a child can have the permit extended if they still have sole custody of the child in Norway.

If the child turns 18 while the person is in Norway, the extension can still be possible.

However, if the child's other parent comes to Norway, UDI states that the permit can be revoked and will not be extended under this particular exception.

13. WHAT IF MY CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE?

You should keep UDI informed when circumstances relevant to your residence status change.

Examples of important changes can include:

- moving permanently from Norway; - changes in family circumstances; - obtaining another residence permit; - acquiring another citizenship; - circumstances affecting the basis on which collective protection was granted; - circumstances affecting eligibility for a special exception.

Do not assume that an important change is irrelevant simply because your current residence card has not expired.

14. CAN I MOVE TO ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY?

Moving within Norway does not by itself mean that you lose collective protection.

However, your move may affect registration, settlement arrangements, municipal services and other practical matters.

You should make sure that your address is correctly registered and follow the applicable rules when moving.

If you are receiving services from your municipality or NAV, you should also inform the relevant authority when necessary.

15. DOES COLLECTIVE PROTECTION AUTOMATICALLY BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENCE?

No.

Collective protection is a temporary residence status.

Having collective protection for several years does not by itself mean that you automatically receive permanent residence.

The rules for permanent residence are separate and depend on the type of residence permit and the applicable requirements.

Do not assume that five years of collective protection automatically gives you permanent residence.

16. WHAT HAPPENS IF COLLECTIVE PROTECTION CANNOT BE EXTENDED?

If UDI does not extend collective protection, the person should read the decision carefully.

Depending on the circumstances, another type of residence permit or an application for individual protection may be relevant.

Individual protection is assessed under different rules and normally requires an individual assessment of whether the person faces persecution or another qualifying risk.

The requirements for individual protection are different and generally stricter than the requirements for collective protection.

17. CAN I CONTINUE WORKING DURING THE EXTENSION PROCESS?

People with collective protection have the right to work after protection has been granted.

UDI states that people whose collective protection is being extended retain their relevant rights while waiting for the extension decision, including the right to work.

If there is uncertainty about your individual status, check the current information from UDI rather than stopping work solely because the date printed on your previous residence card has passed.

18. CAN I CONTINUE STUDYING?

Collective protection gives access to various rights and services in Norway, including relevant education and integration rights according to the applicable rules.

An extension of the residence permit does not normally create a new restriction on ordinary activities simply because the permit has entered the extension process.

Specific education rights can depend on age, programme and circumstances.

19. WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE MY PERMIT EXPIRES?

Before the expiry date:

- check the information on your current residence card; - make sure UDI has your correct contact information; - make sure your address is correctly registered; - check your status on UDI's official digital services if available to you; - read any messages or letters from UDI or the police; - do not submit an unnecessary new application if UDI's current instructions say that your extension is automatic; - keep evidence of your residence status and important decisions; - check the latest UDI information if your circumstances have changed.

20. WHERE CAN I CHECK MY RESIDENCE INFORMATION?

If you have BankID or Buypass, UDI provides access to personal information about your residence through its digital services.

You can use UDI's official services to check relevant information about your residence status and registered contact details.

21. OFFICIAL SOURCES

The main official source for collective protection and extensions is the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI):

UDI — Extensions of residency: https://www.udi.no/en/information-ukraine-and-russia/ukraine/i-want-to-extend-my-stay-in-norway/

UDI — Collective protection granted: https://www.udi.no/en/information-ukraine-and-russia/ukraine/i-have-received-an-answer-to-my-application/my-application-for-collective-protection-has-been-granted/

UDI — Applying for collective protection: https://www.udi.no/en/information-ukraine-and-russia/ukraine/apply-for-protection/i-am-in-norway-applying-from-norway/

UDI — Men aged 18 to 60: https://www.udi.no/en/important-messages/men-between-the-ages-of-18-and-60-can-no-longer-be-granted-temporary-collective-protection-in-norway/

IMPORTANT

The rules for collective protection are subject to change.

This article provides a structured explanation of the current official rules but does not replace an individual decision from UDI.

Always check the latest information from UDI before making important decisions about residence, travel, work, moving from Norway or the future of your residence status.

Official source: