More variation in waiting times for residence permit applications
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As of 2022, UDI assess new applications for residence as they are transferred to UDI to determine if the application can be processed directly or whether we need to obtain further information. For example, we may need to contact the applicant due to lack of information, the case may require an interview, or the applicant and the reference person may need to take a DNA test.
Working this way ensures that your case does not remain on hold before we start the next step in the application process. Even if UDI reorganises the workflow for new residence cases, most of our case officers will continue to work with the older applications.
The new workflow will apply to most types of residence permit applications, but not all. We will post more information about waiting times for the different case types no later than the end of February 2022.
If you apply for a type of residence permit covered by these changes as of 1 January 2022, your application will follow the new workflow for case processing.
You will be notified faster if UDI needs further information
By reorganizing the workflow, we aim to work more efficiently so that, in the long run, applicants will experience more predictability. If an application is left in queue long before the initial assessment, the situation may have changed for the applicant. In addition, some of the information may have gotten too old and needs to be re-verified.
We know that many applicants become insecure and contact us if the waiting time for receiving a decision to their application is long. When we start working according to the new workflow, we can notify applicants faster if their application lacks needed information. In addition, we can initiate the necessary investigations more quickly, such as interviews and DNA examinations. Unfortunately, this means that there will be significant variation in how long it will take to receive a decision to applications in a transitional phase, even for the same type of applications.
Your waiting time may be shorter or longer
UDI has many cases waiting to be processed. Because we, as of January 2022, process older and new applications simultaneously, you may experience that there are variations between your applications processing time compared up against other similar cases. Unfortunately, this also means that it may take longer than previously stated before you receive a decision to your application.
Please note that your case is not submitted directly to UDI after completing your online application. Your application is considered delivered when you have been to the police/SUA or at a VFS Application Centre to hand in the attachments to your application.
The waiting time to get an appointment with the police may be long. The stated waiting time available on udi.no is an estimated waiting time from the time you completed your application (with attachments handed in to the police/SUA or the VFS Application Centre) and receiving a decision.
Frequently asked questions
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Can I call you to find out more about the waiting time for my application?
Even if you call us, we will not be able to give you more specific information about the waiting time of your case than the one you can find on our case-specific information pages.
If we need more information to process your application, we will contact you.
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Will the waiting time for my application be shorter if I withdraw my application and apply again?
A withdrawal of your application followed by a reapply is no guarantee for å shorter waiting time. Even if UDI spends less time assessing your case, the total time from submitting an online application until UDI makes a decision will depend on other factors. Such factors can be the waiting time for an appointment with the police and the time the police or embassy spends before UDI receives the case. Although we aim to assess new applications faster than before, we do not know exactly how quickly we can make a decision in the individual application. Most of our caseworkers will continue to work on the older cases. We do not know whether the waiting time will be shorter or longer if you withdraw the application and reapply.
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I do not remember when I handed in my documents. How do I find out?
When you book an appointment in the application portal to hand in your documents at the police or a VFS Application Centre, you will receive a receipt by email confirming that you have booked an appointment. This email includes the date you had the appointment to hand in your documents. If you used a drop-in appointment at a VFS Application Centre, you have not received an email confirming your booking. In that case, you will have to remember the date you handed in your documents.
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Can my case be moved to the front of the queue?
For various reasons, many want their application processed faster. Please note that the circumstances associated with your case must be extraordinary for your application to be prioritised and moved in front of the queue. Check our guide, «Can your case be moved to the front of the queue», to find out if your case may be given priority.
If the guide provides you with the answer page «You can ask to be moved to the front of the queue», you will find a description of what you need to do. You cannot request priority by phone. You must send a written request and attach documents as described on the answer page you got while using the guide we refer to above.
If the guide provides you with the answer page «Your application can most likely not be moved to the front of the queue», it will be processed the same way as other cases waiting in line. If you still want to ask us to prioritise your application, you must write a letter. In this letter, you must explain why you think your case should be moved to the front of the queue, as described on the answer page you got while using the guide we refer to above.