Norway tightens immigration rules for Ukrainian men

The Norwegian government intends to tighten residency rules for newly arrived Ukrainian men of conscription age.

Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen stated that immigration must remain “controlled, sustainable, and fair,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Norwegian media.

She noted that since autumn 2025, Norway, like several other European countries, has seen an increase in young Ukrainian men arriving in the country. Norway has already received the largest number of Ukrainian citizens among Nordic countries.

The government will soon put forward a proposal for public discussion under which Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60, with certain exceptions, will no longer automatically receive temporary collective protection. Instead, they will have to apply for asylum under general rules.

Labour and Integration Minister Kjersti Stenseng emphasised that the country should not take in more people than it can integrate. She added that in recent years, municipalities have resettled around 100,000 displaced Ukrainians, with many reporting overloaded social services and housing shortages.

The new measures will apply only to future applicants and will not affect those who have already received temporary collective protection. Exemptions will include men officially exempted from military service or deemed unfit, individuals evacuated for medical reasons, and sole guardians of children.

The government aims to adopt the changes by Easter, with rapid implementation thereafter. Previously, in late August 2025, Ukraine changed border crossing rules under martial law, allowing men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country.

By Khagan Isayev