Refugee status for some Afghan citizens must be reviewed under an instruction dated 16 October 2026. Women, girls and some minors are exempt. The instruction applies immediately, but does not mean everyone loses residence.

Who does the instruction cover?

The instruction covers Afghan citizens with temporary residence and refugee status under section 28 of the Immigration Act. Utlendingsdirektoratet (UDI), the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, which handles residence cases, must open cases concerning possible cessation and revocation.

Instruction GI-07/2026⁠ exempts:

  • Women and girls.
  • Unaccompanied minors under 16 when the instruction takes effect.

It also excludes people with permanent residence, resettlement refugees, and people with humanitarian residence under section 38. Collective protection under section 34 is also outside its scope.

You can compare this with SamfunnPrep’s overview of permanent residence requirements. Check which provision appears in your own decision.

Does a new review automatically mean losing residence?

No. UDI must assess each case specifically and individually. Ending protection requires grounds in law.

Utlendingsnemnda (UNE), the Immigration Appeals Board, explains that substantial and lasting changes must be relevant to the original reason for protection. It is not enough that a person might be refused a completely new application today.

The background includes two cases of principle concerning Afghanistan. UNE’s majority and minority disagreed on the assessment. UNE’s account of the cases⁠ stresses that individual circumstances must still be examined.

What happens to permanent residence applications?

UDI must not grant permanent residence until a cessation and revocation case has been finally decided. The same applies to citizenship when the applicant does not already have permanent residence.

UDI and the police may nevertheless renew a temporary permit and process travel document applications while the case is pending. The instruction also says these cases must be handled within a reasonable time.

Permanent residence rules and Norwegian citizenship requirements differ. A citizenship application does not remove the need to clarify the basis for residence.

What should you do if you receive a letter?

Read what the letter concerns, and distinguish between the opening of a case and a final decision. Find earlier decisions and documents concerning your own situation.

This news article describes the instruction as of 18 October 2026. Whether you still need protection must be decided in your individual case. General news about Afghanistan is not a decision on your residence.