How long do I have to wait for an answer to my application?
If you have not heard anything about your case, it has not been processed yet. We have many cases to process now, unfortunately affecting our waiting times. This also leads to more people calling UDI's information service desk.
The waiting period applies from the day the case is registered with the embassy. In some places, it can take up to two weeks from the time the case is sent from the VFS application centre to the embassy receiving it. If an embassy in another country processes your application, it will take a few extra days because the courier must send your application to and from the embassy. You can find information on the embassy's website about how long this takes.
How long do you usually have to wait for an answer?
If your application is processed by the embassy in the country you live in,
you will normally receive an answer within 15 days after handing in your application at the Visa Application Centre, the consulate or the embassy.
If your application is processed by an embassy in another country, this will take a few more days, since your application will be sent by courier to and from the embassy. You’ll find information on the embassy’s web pages on how long this will take.
Which applications will it take longer before receives a reply?
Most cases are processed by the embassy, but if the embassy is in doubt about whether you can be granted a visa, they will forward your case to UDI.
We cannot answer whether the case will be sent to UDI, that is for the embassy to decide. If your case is sent to UDI, you will be notified by email or SMS. If the case is sent to UDI for processing, you will usually receive a response within 45 days of submitting the application to the VFS application centre, embassy or consulate.
Appeals concerning rejections
You will normally receive an answer to your appeal within 12 months of submitting your application for a visitor visa to the Visa Application Centre, embassy or consulate.
Here you can read what can make the waiting time change and how you can stay up to date.
This information was last updated on
21 November 2024
. It will be updated again on
19 December 2024
.
What can you do to contribute to receiving an answer as quickly as possible?
- Make sure that your application is completed correctly and in full.
- Make sure that you enclose all the necessary documents, please see our checklist.
- Make sure that your, and your sponsor’s, contact information is up-to-date.
- It is also a good idea to make sure that the person who has invited you to Norway has power of attorney from you, so that we can give important information to him or her.