Does the Norwegian government encourage Ukrainian refugees to leave the country by paying them? No, that's not true: The Norwegian repatriation program provides financial aid to all who voluntarily want to return to their home countries. It is offered to refugees of other nationalities as well.
The claim appeared in a TikTok video (archived here) which was published by semicvetik123_3 on October 21, 2023. The text on the video (translated from Russian by lead Stories staff) reads:
Norway will pay Ukrainian refugees to leave. Norway will pay Ukrainian refugees who voluntarily decide to return home. "If a Ukrainian decides to come back to Norway, they will have to pay back the allowance. The amount will depend on how long the refugee stayed in Ukraine: less than a year - 1200 euro, one year to a year and a half - 855 euro, 1,5 years to two years - 427, if longer, don't have to pay anything to the Norwegian government". The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Tue Oct 24 07:00:30 2023 UTC)
The grant is provided to people holding a valid residence permit in Norway and who wish to move back to their home countries.
As of July 1, 2023, Norway has welcomed more than 51,000 Ukrainians since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Norway is open to Ukrainians seeking protection from the war.
