UDI 2014-003V Checklist for the foreign service missions’ issuing of laissez-passers and entry visas (D- visas) to resettlement refugees

UDI 2014-003 stipulates joint guidelines for the foreign service missions’ responsibilities when resettlement refugees are to travel to Norway after the UDI has granted an entry permit and residence permit, cf. Section 35 first and third paragraphs of the Immigration Act. Among other things, the circular describes the foreign service missions’ cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UDI.

This checklist provides a brief overview of the foreign service missions’ tasks when resettlement refugees are to travel to Norway. The foreign service mission receives a travel request by secure email. The travel request states a two-week period during which we wish the applicant to arrive in Norway.

The foreign service missions shall

• cooperate with the UNHCR and/or the IOM to obtain the information needed to issue a laissez-passer and visa
• issue a laissez-passer with a validity of 90 days if the applicant does not have a valid travel document
• issue an entry visa (D visa), cf. Section 12 of the Immigration Act, cf. Section 3-13 of the Immigration Regulations, with a validity of 90 days and right of residence for seven days

In connection with selection mission cases:

• The UDI sends the foreign service mission a list of persons to whom the foreign service mission is to issue laissez-passers and entry visas. The list contains DUF numbers, the UNHCR’s reference numbers and names. The UDI sends this list to the foreign service mission within three weeks of the selection mission’s visit. The foreign service mission receives this list together with two passport photos of each of the applicants. The passport photos are marked with the applicant’s DUF number and the UNHCR’s reference number.

In connection with dossier cases:

• The foreign service mission obtains two passport photos of each applicant from the UNHCR or the IOM.

In connection with emergency cases:

• The foreign service mission must issue a laissez-passer and an entry visa (D visa) as soon as possible.
• The foreign service mission must contact the UNHCR and/or the IOM immediately. The travel request will be marked with ‘EMERGENCY travel request’ in emergency cases.

The Norwegian embassy in Tehran is not to issue laissez-passers to persons who do not hold a valid residence permit in Iran. Reference is made to UDI 2010-051.

The foreign service missions can order empty laissez-passers from:

Utlendingsdirektoratet
DIG Dokumentsenteret
Postboks 2098 Vika
0125 Oslo

Email: udi@udi.no. Write in the subject field: Order for laissez-passers.