UDI offers a place to live to everyone who applies for protection in Norway. Asylum reception centres are modest, temporary accommodation solutions where you can stay while waiting for an answer to your application for protection.
Frequently asked questions
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Moving between reception centres
I already live at a reception centre
If you already live at a reception centre and wish to move, it is your regional office that will process your application to move to another reception centre. You can ask the staff at the reception centre about how to apply. Not everyone who wants to move will have their application approved.
UDI requires that you have compelling reasons for moving, for example that you
- have close family in or near the reception centre you want to move to
- need medical treatment that requires you to move
- have received an offer of a job or education that entails you have to move
- are nationally and linguistically isolated at the reception centre you want to move from
You must document your need to move. It is also important to be aware that, even if you can document your need, it is not certain that you will be allowed to move to the reception centre you want. The reception centre may not have a vacant place for you, or there may be other reasons why it is not possible.
Form for moving between reception centres
I want to move back to a reception centre
If you are no longer living at a reception centre and want to move back to a centre, it is not certain that you can move back to the same centre you lived at before. If you are not offered a place at the reception centre you previously stayed at, you will be offered a place at another reception centre.
Report your move
Remember to tell your local police, UDI and the reception centre of your upcoming move and your new address. It is important that we know your address so that we can reach you with information about your case.
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Moving from a reception centre to a private address
Can I stay in private housing?
If you have a job, somewhere to stay and can provide for yourself, you can move out of the reception centre. The same applies if you have family or others in Norway who are willing to provide for you and give you somewhere to stay.
If you move out of the reception centre, you lose the right to financial assistance from the Norwegian authorities.
You must live at a reception centre to be entitled to financial assistance and training in the Norwegian language.
I am going to stay in private housing after I register at the National Arrivals Centre
If you are moving to a private address after registering at the National Arrivals Centre, please inform the staff at the Arrivals Centre of your new address. We must know where you are when we send out the decision letter concerning protection (asylum) and other important information. If we do not know where you are, we will not process your application for protection.
It is also important to notify the police in the municipality you are moving to.
I am moving from an asylum reception centre to a private address
If you live in an asylum reception centre or an emergency accommodation and are moving to a private address, you must report your new address to the local police, UDI and the reception centre. UDI needs to know where you are when we send out decisions on protection (asylum) and other important information. If we do not know where you are, we cannot process your application for protection.
If you live in private housing, you can apply for alternative accommodation to reception centres.
Report where you are moving to
Remember to tell your local police, UDI and the reception centre of your upcoming move and your new address. It is important that we know your address so that we can reach you with information about your case.
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Moving from a private address to a reception centre
I have previously stayed at a reception centre
If you have stayed at a reception centre before, please contact UDI in the same region where you previously stayed.
You will normally be accommodated in the same reception centre where you previously stayed. If you are not offered a place at the same reception centre, you will be offered a place at another reception centre.
I have not previously stayed at a reception centre (or have only stayed at the National arrival centre)
If you have not stayed at a reception centre before, please contact the Unit for Arrival and Transit. They will find a reception centre for you to stay at.