The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) have temporarily suspended the duty to return to Lebanon as of 18 March 2026.
The suspension also affects case processing: decisions that would result in a return to Lebanon are on hold, including pending asylum applications. The measure is set to last 3 months, until 18 June 2026, when authorities will reassess whether to extend or lift it.
Lebanese nationals affected by the suspension are allowed to remain in Norway temporarily, even if their residence status has expired, but they do not gain additional rights, such as access to employment, unless already granted.
The suspension does not apply to cases under the Dublin III Regulation or the first country of asylum rule, meaning those individuals may still be transferred to another European country responsible for their application.
- Norwegian Directorate of Immigration | Utlendingsdirektoratet (18 March, 2026), UDI og UNE suspenderer utreiseplikten til Libanon [The UDI and UNE suspend the duty to return to Lebanon],