Extension of collective protection for Ukrainians
Press release | No: 33 – 2024 | Date: 19/04/2024 | Last updated: 22/04/2024 | Ministry of Justice and Public Security
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security today presented a proposal to the Storting for amendments to the Immigration Act. The Bill proposes an increase in the period for which temporary collective protection can be granted, from the current three years to five years.
‘As we now propose to extend these permits to last for up to five years, the Government and the Storting will have more time and alternative courses of action for dealing with the situation of the Ukrainians who have come to Norway. The situation in Ukraine remains unresolved, and the possibility to extend the permit for two additional years will give us the flexibility to choose the best solution at any time,’ says Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl (Centre Party).
Permits under the temporary collective protection scheme are granted for one year at a time and may currently be extended for up to three years. In March 2025, the first Ukrainians who arrived here will have had temporary collective protection for three years – that is, the maximum number of years under current law. Factors in assessing future solutions will include looking at equivalent processes in other European countries. Even if the opportunity to grant temporary collective protection is extended, it may still prove appropriate to end the scheme and switch to ordinary permits before five years have passed.
The proposed amendment is general and will apply to everyone who is covered by a temporary collective protection scheme. In practice, it will only affect displaced people from Ukraine at this stage.