Fast and accurate settlement work
IMDi works to achieve the speedy, satisfactory and stable settlement of refugees. This is done through a collaboration between the municipalities and the directorate.
All refugees who have been granted residence in Norway will live in one municipality. Each year, IMDi asks the municipalities to provide residence for a certain number of refugees. The number is determined using forecasts and is distributed among the municipalities according to a number of criteria determined by the Ministry of Education and Research. The county authorities also provide input to the distribution based on knowledge of the municipalities in their county.
Settlement of refugees is a voluntary municipal task and the municipalities that receive a request from IMDi decide for themselves whether to settle refugees.
Norwegian settlement policy aims to settle refugees in all parts of the country, in both large and small municipalities. Settlement of refugees is a voluntary municipal task and the municipalities decide for themselves whether to settle refugees.
IMDi decides where the individual refugee is offered a place to live. IMDi does this based on what we know about the individual and what we know about opportunities and the capacity in the municipality. Settlement of newly arrived refugees takes place in areas with relevant service and qualification programmes and that provide opportunities to participate in education, the labour market and society.
When the individual has been settled, the municipality is then responsible for the qualification and integration work and all other municipal services.
The municipalities receive separate funding from IMDi to compensate for the costs of settlement and integration of refugees.