Norway

Immigration laws to be changed

The Norwegian Government will change the immigration laws, in the wake of the controversy around illigegal immigrant Maria Amelie, who was detained by Norwegian police last week.

The change will mean that asylum seekers who have contravened the Immigration Act by staying illegally in Norway, will still be able to apply for a work permit and have their application processed by the Norwegian authorities, according to the Justice Department.

In a press release Friday, the Department states that asylum seeker Amelie will still have to return to Russia, in accordance with the court's decision. The asylum seeker must still send his or her appliction for a work permit from the country where they came from, but the present quarantine period of a year or more, will now be removed.

However, up to now, an application for work permit from someone who's application for asylum has been turned down, and who has been staying illegally in Norway, has not been accepted or processed.

The change in regulations will mean that Amelie will be able to apply for a Norwegian work permit as soon as she arrives in Russia.

She has already received an offer for a permanent job with a Norwegian technical publication. While in Norway, Amelie has studied at the Technical University of Trondheim (NTNU), and has received a bachelor and master degree in Science and Technology.

Source: NRK/Norway Post