Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

Return Migration: Policies and Practices
UDI) established new goals to process asylum claims within five weeks, where no additional
information was required; while the Immigration Appeals Board, an independent quasi-judicial
appeals body, was to issue its decisions in 16 weeks. 1
Given the sharp increase in asylum seeker levels over the past five years, the government introduced
in 2003 additional measures targeted towards asylum seekers who are not in need of
protection, in order to ensure the effective operation of the asylum system. These include:
A 48-hour asylum procedure for asylum seekers from safe countries, 2 as of January 2004,
implying that the UDI is expected to decide on the outcome of a claim within 48 hours after it
has been registered, or where in doubt decide it in the normal asylum procedure;
Withdrawal of accommodation in reception centres, as of January 2004, for unsuccessful
asylum seekers after expiry of the deadline for departure; 3
Withdrawal of cash benefits provided in reception centres during the initial period of stay, as
of January 2004, and the reduction of benefits to individuals to be transferred to countries of
first asylum.
Furthermore, the Norwegian government committed itself to cooperating with countries of origin
in readmitting its returning nationals, and concluding readmission agreements with those
countries to which returns are currently difficult. It is also currently undertaking an assessment
of how legislation can be better implemented to process larger groups of asylum seekers
e.g. from the Russian Federation, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Serbia and Montenegro.
1.2 LEGISLATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PROVISIONS
Immigration and asylum procedures in Norway are governed by the 1988 Act Concerning the
Entry of Foreign Nationals into the Kingdom of Norway and their Presence in the Realm (Immigration
Act) and the 1990 Regulations Concerning the Entry of Foreign Nationals into the Kingdom
of Norway and their Presence in the Realm (Immigration Regulations).
A review of the existing immigration legislation is currently underway, and the government has
established a legal committee to present a proposal for a new Immigration Act by July 2004.
Conditions for Entry
Foreign nationals entering the territory are obliged to carry a valid passport or other recognized
form of travel document. Unless there is an exception to visa requirements, foreign nationals
must have the necessary visa endorsement in order to enter the country.
Grounds for Rejection on Entry
Chapter Five of the Immigration Act contains provisions for the rejection and expulsion of foreign
nationals. According to Article 27 of the Immigration Act, a foreign national may be
rejected at the border or within seven days of entry for the following reasons:
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