Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

Return Migration: Policies and Practices
that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding three months, or has been sentenced
to imprisonment on several occasions during the last three years;
National security concerns warrant an expulsion.
In the first three instances, expulsions will not be implemented if after taking into account the
gravity of the offence and the individual’s connections to the country (e.g. family), it is considered
that the expulsion will be disproportionate.
A foreign national who has a work or residence permit, or a Nordic national who has been
resident in the country for more than three months, may only be expelled if the offence is punishable
with imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Foreign nationals, who were born in
Norway and have resided in the country continuously, cannot be refused entry or expelled from
the country. Those who qualify for permanent settlement may only be expelled in the interests of
national security or following the completion or receipt of a sentence for an offence punishable
with imprisonment of more than three years.
Prohibition on Re-entry
Expulsion is usually considered to be an obstacle to re-entry. The prohibition may be permanent
or for a limited duration, depending on the severity of the grounds for expulsion and an assessment
of the individual’s personal and family circumstances. In practice, this period generally
does not exceed two years from the date of expulsion. In exceptional circumstances, an individual
may be granted entry into the country for a short visit before the two years have lapsed,
where strong and reasonable grounds exist.
1.3 ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS
Institutions Responsible for Involuntary Return
The Department for Migration is one of the six departments of the Ministry of Local Government
and Regional Development (Kommunal og regionaldepartementet – KRD), which is
responsible for, among others, issues relating to immigration, minorities, housing, labour market,
local government finance and administration and regional development.
The Department for Migration is responsible for the development and coordination of policies,
laws and regulations concerning refugees, immigration and integration. It establishes the rules
and regulations pertaining to entry to and exit from Norway and questions concerning visa policy,
border control, illegal immigration and human smuggling. It is also responsible for facilitating
the return of refugee and asylum seekers to their country of origin.
The Department for Migration is responsible for sectors of the Police Department and the Foreign
Service dealing with immigration affairs, and manages issues relating to the Schengen area,
the European Union and the Dublin Convention. In addition, the Department handles appeals
against decisions made by the Directorate of Immigration on applications for Norwegian
nationality.
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