Ukrainians With Dual Citizenship Face Exclusion From Temporary Protection in Norway
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Norway has issued a directive to UDI, impacting Ukrainians with dual citizenship, especially if the second citizenship is from a country recognized by the UDI as safe.
- The directive states that protection will not be extended to those whose second nationality is considered safe.
- The Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness in Norway has recently issued a directive to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), changing the landscape for Ukrainian individuals seeking asylum in Norway.
Such a directive means that Ukrainians with dual citizenship, especially if the second citizenship is in a country recognised by the UDI as safe, will no longer be entitled to temporary collective protection in Norway.
Through a statement, the Ministry also emphasised that the directive becomes particularly important regarding the recent influx of Ukrainian asylum seekers arriving in Norway with dual citizenship.
The Ministry’s guidance further clarifies that in these circumstances, temporary collective protection in Norway will not be extended to those whose second citizenship falls within the UDI definition of a safe country for the applicant.
The right to protection does not apply to persons who are safe in a country of which they themselves are citizens.
Justice and Emergency Services Minister Emilie Enger Mehl
Moreover, Minister Mehl criticised the practice of Ukrainians seeking asylum in Norway, citing it as an exploitation of the asylum system, especially when they hold citizenship in countries like Hungary, Sweden, and the United States.
As the Ministry explains, the fast-track 48-hour procedure is reserved for asylum seekers from countries that the UDI deems adhere to international human rights standards. However, individuals who may qualify for protection on an individual basis avoid the fast track and are subject to the regular processing procedure.
Last week, Norwegian authorities announced that Ukrainians granted protection in the country risk losing their residence permit if they travel back to Ukraine.
In this regard, UDI issued a general directive to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, stating that foreign nationals granted protection in Norway may face permit revocation if they return to the country where they sought refuge. In addition, a prior exception for Ukrainian nationals with temporary collective protection has been revoked.
Minister Mehl also emphasised that removing this exception implies that if Ukrainians under protection manage to travel to Ukraine and return to Norway, it might indicate that they no longer require protection in Norway.
On the other hand, the authorities clarified that trips made before the directive’s implementation will not lead to permit revocation. Additionally, in special cases, there remains a possibility for Ukrainian citizens to obtain permission to visit their homeland.