In 2022, Norway received 44 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), 15% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 50% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 13% labour migrants, 26% family members (including accompanying family) and 11% humanitarian migrants. Around 4 200 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 7 700 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase and Poland the largest decrease in flows to Norway compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 10%, to reach around 5 100. The majority of applicants came from Syria (1 500), Ukraine (1 000) and Türkiye (500). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Türkiye (300) and the largest decrease nationals of Afghanistan (‑200). Of the 2 900 decisions taken in 2023, 75% were positive.
Emigration of Norwegian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑13% in 2022, to 8 100. Approximately 22% of this group migrated to Denmark, 21% to Spain and 17% to Sweden.
Due to a shortage of high-skilled labour, the government maintained the increase of the annual quota for skilled workers from outside the EU/EFTA member countries to 6 000 residence permits in 2023.
From the fall semester of 2023, universities and colleges have charged at least cost-covering tuition fees from new degree students from outside the EU and EFTA. This has resulted in significantly fewer such students at master level (‑59%).
In March 2024, the au pair scheme was discontinued, as a measure against social dumping. In the scheme, a third country citizen between 18 and 30 years old could be granted a residence permit as an au pair for up to two years provided that the purpose of the stay was cultural exchange and that the contract with the host family satisfied certain requirements.
In December 2023, requirements for accommodation for those seeking temporary collective protection, were tightened. People who apply for temporary collective protection in Norway and who need accommodation in asylum reception centres are offered accommodation in the National Arrivals Centre in Råde, as opposed to other decentralised centres. High-standard accommodation will be used more restrictively, to avoid that accommodation becomes an attraction factor.
In December 2023, the Ministry of Justice announced that foreign nationals who have been granted protection in Norway can lose their residence permit if they return to the country from which they have fled. This also applies to Ukrainians with temporary collective protection.
In June 2023, temporary exception rules were introduced to the Tenants Act, partly to accommodate the high arrival numbers of displaced persons from Ukraine. The rules give the possibility to enter into an agreement on letting a holiday home as residence for a minimum period of one year, in contrast to three years in the ordinary regulation. The exception applies until July 2024.
The government proposed new amendments to the Integration Regulations to boost participation in the labour market. The Integration programme will have more work-related elements, stricter conditions for its extension, and an option for municipalities to not offer the programme to people who have found a job. Ukrainians who have already completed upper secondary education will be offered at least 15 hours of work-oriented activities per week as part of the programme. Alternatively, work-oriented activities shall account for 50% of the programme time.
As of July 2023, the Norwegian language training for persons with temporary protection can be extended if the participant needs it to reach a minimum level of Norwegian. The duration of the extension depends on the participant’s level of education, with those with an upper secondary degree entitled to an extension of six months, and those without an upper secondary degree entitled to an extension of two years.
In August 2023, all second-grade pupils were included in the municipal out-of-school care – part-time participation in which is free – which had already included all first-grade pupils since 2022. From August 2024, the scheme will be extended to third-grade pupils.
For further information: www.udi.no | www.imdi.no | www.regjeringen.no
