By Kyran Lorio
Currently about 17% of Norway’s total population consists of immigrants, which is around 900,000 people. 221 countries of origin make up this immigrant population, and a majority are from nearby countries such as Lithuania, Sweden, and Poland. Immigration to Norway has increased in recent years, the rising immigrant population beginning on the 1990’s. As Norway’s immigrant population increases, the immigration and migration policies that Norway establishes play an important role in thousands of people’s lives.
Documented immigration to Norway began in the Viking Age, for aristocratic purposes as well as trade and academic purposes. In the 20th century, labor was a leading factor for immigration as well as people seeking asylum. In the 21st century, the most common reason for immigration is family reunification.
Norway’s Immigration Act states that all foreigners must apply for permanent residency, except for citizens of Nordic countries, to live and work in Norway. The Nordic countries are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the region of Aland. Norway legally accepts four reasons for immigrations, family reunification, protection, employment, and education. Norway also has many immigrants who came seeking asylum. Applicants can apply at the Norwegian border, and will be processed at an arrival center by the police and UDI and go through interviews and medical tests. While waiting for a decision, asylum seekers will be housed at an asylum reception center. Around 81% of asylum applications are accepted and received positively.
Norwegian asylum reception center.
There are many organizations such as The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) that assist asylum seekers at different stages of the process as well as working to improve asylum seekers’ rights in Norway.
Overall, Norway’s policies towards asylum seekers and immigrants are accepting towards these groups of people, and the process of accepting asylum seekers is straightforward and fine-tuned.
Sources:
Want to apply: Applying for protection (asylum) in Norway – UDI
Guide: Moving to Norway | Nordic cooperation (norden.org)
Refugees in Norway: Figures and development (worlddata.info)
New asylum system greets few seekers – Norway’s News in English — www.newsinenglish.no