The waiting time is calculated from the date you handed in your documents to the police or the VFS Application Centre. 

If we need more information to process your application, we will contact you. If you call us, we will not be able to give you any further information regarding the waiting time than what you find here. 

Information for you who have submitted a first time application 

If you applied at the same time as your family member who is a work immigrant, you will receive the answer to your application when your family member receives his/her answer.

After handing in your documents to the police or the VFS Application Centre, it may take up to 6 months before we go through your application.

• If information or documents are missing from your application, we will contact you. 
• If your application is complete and does not require additional investigations, we will process your case, and you will receive a decision from us. 
• If your case requires additional investigation, this will be conducted. How long it will take to complete the investigations will vary. You can read more about what the additional investigations may involve.

Information for you who have applied for a renewal of your residence permit 

Applications which are processed by the police

Most applications for renewal are processed by the police. Please ask the police about the waiting time when you hand in the application. 

If the police cannot process your application themselves, they will send it to the UDI. If the police send your application to UDI, you will be notified by email or SMS.

Applications which are processed by UDI

After handing in your application to the police, it may take up to 6 months before we go through your application.

If you applied at the same time as your family member who is a work immigrant, you will receive the answer to your application when your family member receives his/her answer.

If UDI has to make additional investigations, it may take longer until you get an answer. 

Information for you who have received a rejection and have appealed

Today it normally takes 12 months from UDI receives your appeal until we make a decision. Then we will either grant your appeal and give you a residence permit, or forward your case to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) for consideration. 

If we forward it to UNE, you will be notified by email or SMS. You can find information about UNE’s waiting time on their website (external website).

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