The Ministry of Justice and Public Security issued Instruction GI-07/2026, with effect immediately, requiring the UDI to initiate proceedings for the cessation and revocation of refugee status and residence permits for Afghan citizens covered by Instruction GI-15/2020, pursuant to Section 37(1e) of the Immigration Act. The instruction applies to Afghan citizens who hold both a temporary residence permit and refugee status under Section 28(1) of the Immigration Act. It excludes quota refugees, persons granted collective protection, holders of permanent residence permits, and persons granted residence permits on humanitarian grounds or due to a particular connection to Norway.
The instruction follows the UNE Grand Board decisions of February 2026, which found that changes in Afghanistan’s general security situation following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 were substantial and sufficiently durable to warrant reassessing protection needs. The UDI must assess each case individually, taking into account the applicant’s personal circumstances and the latest available country information.
Exceptions apply to women and girls from Afghanistan and unaccompanied minors who are under 16 when the instruction enters into force, as their protection needs are considered to persist under current practice.
The UDI must also withhold decisions granting Norwegian citizenship to applicants who do not yet hold permanent residence permits. However, the UDI and the police may renew temporary residence permits and process applications for travel documents while proceedings are pending.
- Ministry of Justice and Public Security | Justis- og beredskapsdepartementet (16 October, 2026), GI-07/2026 - Instruks om opprettelse av saker om opphør og tilbakekall av flyktningstatus og oppholdstillatelse for borgere av Afghanistan, jf. utlendingsloven § 37 første ledd bokstav e [GI-07/2026 - Instructions on the establishment of cases concerning termination and revocation of refugee status and residence permits for citizens of Afghanistan, cf. the Immigration Act section 37 first paragraph (e)],