Norway will not grant temporary protection to men from Ukraine: who will this affect?

Norway is changing its rules on admitting Ukrainians, tightening controls on the granting of temporary protection. From now on, some men will no longer be eligible for simplified status and will have to go through the standard asylum procedure. Find out who will be affected by the new restrictions and what exceptions apply

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The Norwegian authorities are reviewing their approach to accepting Ukrainian refugees. Under the new rules, some men from Ukraine will no longer be eligible for automatic temporary collective protection. This decision has already caused a stir among Ukrainians planning to move to the country.

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What has changed

On 27 March, the Norwegian government officially announced the changes: men aged between 18 and 60 arriving in the country will no longer automatically receive temporary collective protection status.

This category of citizens must now go through the standard procedure — submitting an individual application for asylum. This means a longer processing time, the need to justify their reasons, and no guarantee of a positive decision.

Why Norway has taken this decision

According to Justice Minister Astrid Aas-Hansen, the country has already taken in a significant number of Ukrainians — more than other Scandinavian countries. Against this backdrop, local authorities have begun to face a number of challenges:

— a housing shortage

— overburdened social services

— limited resources for integration

Furthermore, the government emphasises that it is important to maintain a balance and ensure the sustainability of the reception system.

Separately, the Norwegian side stresses that some citizens must remain in Ukraine to support the country’s economy and defence.

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Who will be exempt from the restrictions

Despite the tightening of measures, a number of exceptions are provided for. The new rules do not apply to:

— men officially exempt from military service

— individuals with medical contraindications

— Ukrainians evacuated under medical programmes

— single parents caring for children

The changes also do not apply to those who have already been granted temporary protection in Norway previously — their status remains valid.

What this means for refugees from Ukraine

In effect, this marks a shift from a simplified reception model to a stricter and more individualised one. For men of conscription age, this makes moving to Norway more difficult and reduces the likelihood of obtaining legal status quickly.

The key factor will now be the ability to prove grounds for asylum — for example, a threat to life, persecution or other humanitarian reasons.

For successful processing of documents, it is recommended to contact qualified visa lawyers. Specialists will advise you on the necessary documents, help you prepare your application and provide full legal support throughout the process, from start to finish.

Remember! In 2026, the conditions for Ukrainians moving to the UK continue to change: some schemes are no longer accepting new applications, but mechanisms for extending status are emerging. The main focus is now on regularising your stay and switching to other types of visas. Find out more about current ways to move to the UK and options for staying in the country in 2026.

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