- You are entitled to bring a lawyer or other authorised representative to the hearing
If you do not have a lawyer, you can contact an organisation and request assistance. Examples of organisations are:
The Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS)
JussBuss
Selvhjelp for innvandrere og flyktninger ('Self-help for immigrants and refugees' (SEIF)
JURK (legal advice for women) -
Be prepared for the topic of the hearing
The topic of the hearing might be the whole case, but it could also be part of the case and we will then let you know in advance. Always read the last decision you received and talk to your authorised representative.
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Are there are errors or misunderstandings in your case?
If you believe that an error has been made or that there are misunderstandings in your case, you must let us know. For example, this might be in the asylum interview or in the UDI's decision. You do not need to tell us what is in the appeal, since we have read this in advance.
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Remember that everyone at the board hearing has a duty of confidentiality
Everyone at the board hearing is bound by a duty of confidentiality. This means that they are not allowed to talk about your case in other places. You can therefore freely speak your mind. The hearing is conducted in a closed session so that outsiders will not know what is being said.
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If you have new information about your case, you must present it before the hearing
If you have new information or wish to present documents, you or your authorised representative must send us this well before the hearing, so that the board can be well prepared.
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We must have your identity documents
Identity is often an important topic at the hearing. If you have, or can obtain, a passport or other identity documents from your home country, you must send us these well before the hearing. The documents should be originals. Your identity is the sum of various information that tells others who you are. Examples of such information is your name, date of birth, who your parents are and where you were born. If you do not have documents to show all of these things, it is still important that you send us as much as possible.
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Let us know if you have any special requirements
If you have any special requirements because of a disability, health problem or other special need, let us know as soon as possible.
For people attending board hearings
See what happens at board hearings
No video?
Read the script here
Welcome to UNE, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board. When you appeal a decision from UDI, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, the case will be sent to us for a second assessment
In some cases, we will need more information about you. We will then call you in to an appeals board hearing. This is your chance to provide further information about your case.
Most appeals board hearings are convened in cases that concern protection. However, an appeals board hearing is not to be considered a second asylum interview. The purpose of a board hearing is to get answers to unanswered questions. Therefore, it is important that you tell the truth in order to shed as much light as possible on your case.
Several people will attend the appeals board hearing.
If you have a lawyer, he or she will be seated next to you. The lawyer's job is to ensure that your rights are protected.
The Board Leader will be seated on the opposite side of the table. The Board Leader has the same professional background as a court judge.
The Board Leader chairs the meeting, together with two lay Board members. These three make up the Board that will decide the outcome of your case. The decision will be taken based on the information you have given both prior to and during the board hearing.
A case officer prepares your case and may ask questions during the board hearing, but will not be involved in the final decision.
In some cases, there will also be a country adviser present in the meeting. The country adviser is there to provide the Board with in-depth knowledge of your country of origin, but will not be involved in the actual decision making process.
An interpreter will translate everything being said in the meeting. The interpreter has been approved by The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. The interpreter, along with everyone present in the board hearing, is bound by a duty of confidentiality.
It is punishable by law to break this confidentiality. You can therefore speak freely without fear of others gaining access to sensitive information.
The hearing begins with the Board leader introducing the participants, and explaining how the meeting will proceed. You will then be given the opportunity to answer questions that the Board members believe are relevant to your case. These questions may be about your identity, background, family and your experiences in your home country.
It is important that you provide the Board with accurate information. It is punishable by law to give information you know to be false.
A board hearing may last all day. However, there will be time for several breaks.
At the end of the meeting, your lawyer will make a short, concluding statement. You will also have the opportunity to make a final statement to the appeals board.
When the meeting is finished, the case officer will give a summary of the meeting to the Board.
When the case officer has left the room, the Board will make a final decision on your case. You will be notified in writing of the decision approximately three weeks later.
The decision will be sent to your lawyer, or directly to you if you do not have a lawyer.
Read more about appeals board hearings at une.no