The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the first body that looks at the cases of people who want to stay in Norway. If the UDI says no, you can appeal to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) and ask UNE to reconsider the case.
Being expelled means that you have to leave Norway and that you are not allowed to return for a while.
UNE has a duty of secrecy. This means that UNE cannot tell anyone anything that children tell them.
However, sometimes UNE has to do this. UNE could do this for example if it believes that a child needs help. It is then UNE’s duty to pass on the information to someone who can help the child.
If you or someone in your family disagrees with the UDI’s decision, you can appeal. The UDI will then reconsider your case. If the UDI does not agree with you, they send the case on to UNE. UNE reconsiders the case. It is UNE that decides in the end.
Although UNE has already considered your case and you have received a rejection, you can send new information to UNE. This must be information that UNE has not seen before, and that could mean that UNE changes its rejection decision so that you can stay in Norway.
A rejection is a decision by the UDI or UNE that states that you and your family cannot live in Norway. This means you must leave Norway.
When the UDI and UNE have decided the outcome of your case, they write it in a decision. The decision states whether you are allowed to stay in Norway or not.
If you are a child who has come to Norway alone to apply for protection (asylum), you will receive help from an adult to safeguard your rights. The adult who helps you is called a representative. This adult used to be called a guardian, and many people still use this word.
Among other things, the representative will make sure that you have a good place to live, can go to school and get healthcare if you need it. The representative will also make sure that you are heard by the UDI and UNE. The representative can send information for you about your situation and appeal a decision on your behalf.
The representative is paid to help you.
A board chair has a law degree and is a kind of judge. A board chair decides whether someone can stay in Norway or not. If you are going to go to a board hearing, it is the board chair who will lead the meeting.
There are around 20 board chairs in UNE.
A lawyer is an adult who knows a lot about the law and rules in Norway.
The lawyer will make sure that you and your family's rights are looked after. The lawyer’s job is to help you and your family. The lawyer does not work for UNE or the UDI.
Sometimes children can get their own lawyer, for example if you need more support than your parents can give you.
All lawyers have a duty of secrecy.