Norway to reduce aid for Ukrainian refugees: 'safe' regions added.

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has updated the list of safe areas in Ukraine that will be considered safe for living as of January 13, 2025.

14 regions were included in the list of safe areas: Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Kyiv (excluding the city of Kyiv), Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, and Zhytomyr.

According to UDI's definition, safe regions are those where Ukrainian authorities fully control the situation, and the influence of Russia is minimal or absent.

These changes affect those who applied for protection after September 28, 2024, and have not yet received a decision, as well as those who will submit applications after January 13, 2025.

It is important to note that Ukrainians who submitted applications before September 28, 2024, already have residence permits, arrived under the medical evacuation program, or have close relatives with collective protection in Norway, are not subject to these changes.

When considering applications, the last place of residence of the applicant will be taken into account - the territory where they have lived for at least six months. Each case will be considered individually.

For individuals from safe regions, the criteria for obtaining individual protection will be significantly stricter. UDI will assess the possibility of protection from Ukrainian authorities and the availability of safe territories for the applicant's residence.

It should be noted that the conditions for refugees in Norway have significantly changed since 2024. The government has canceled financial support for those living in private housing, reduced monthly assistance for childless couples, and introduced a requirement for weekly 15-hour employment to receive financial aid.

It has become known that Norway's new policy involves refusing protection to Ukrainians from 'safe' regions, including Lviv, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Rivne regions, as well as to individuals who did not reside in Ukraine at the Time of the full-scale invasion.

As reported, according to a study by Oslo Met, 54% of surveyed Ukrainian refugees are unsure about their future in Norway, while 34% plan to stay in the country. Currently, over 65 thousand Ukrainian refugees live in Norway.

It is noted that Ukrainian citizens can receive financial assistance for voluntary return home in the amount of 15,000 Norwegian kroner, but this may lead to the loss of refugee status and the need to return funds in case of re-entry into Norway within a certain period.