legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Work
Refugees are permitted to take up employment, but need work permits. Permits are given upon
request (no job offer is required).
Access to the adult education system
Refugees have access to all aspects of the adult education system on the same terms as
Norwegian citizens and are entitled to the same educational assistance.
Language tuition
Refugees and those issued with residence permits for humanitarian reasons are entitled to 500
hours of free Norwegian lessons. A further 250 hours may be offered if necessary. It is not
compulsory.
The local authorities are responsible for organising these courses. The costs are met by the UDI.
School attendance
The children of refugees have access to the state school system on the same basis as
Norwegian children. Schooling is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 16.
Mother tongue tuition
Mother tongue tuition will be provided if a qualified teacher is available and at least three children
speak the same language.
However, since refugees are scattered all over the country, there is no comprehensive provision
for mother tongue tuition.
Unaccompanied minors
Same as for minor asylum seekers.
Citizenship
It is possible to apply for Norwegian citizenship after seven years of residence in the country.
Access to the national health system
Refugees have access to the national health service on the same terms as Norwegians. There is
no qualifying period once a residence permit has been obtained.
Discretionary assistance may also be given towards essential medical or dental treatment,
physiotherapy or the purchase of spectacles, etc.
Repatriation
Refugees, persons granted residence permits for humanitarian reasons, and their families
following reunification, may benefit from a repatriation programme including:
– a one-off payment of NOK 15,000 [EUR 1,850] per repatriated person;
– payment of travel expenses.
Assistance is not conditioned on a minimum period of residence in Norway.
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Norway