Prior to the creation of the UDI, responsibility for immigration policy had been spread between several ministries. Following the reorganisation, the Ministry of Local Government and Labour become the ministry in charge. Previously, the practical implementation of policy had also been spread between several official bodies. The responsibilities of the Government Office of Immigration, the State Secretariat for Refugees and some of the duties previously carried out by the Ministry of Local Government and Labour's Immigration Section were transferred to the Directorate of Immigration.

 

Since its inception, the UDI has grown considerably, both in the extent of its responsibilities and in terms of staff numbers. With effect from 1 July 2000, for example, the Directorate took over responsibility for interviewing refugees, a task previously performed by the police.

 

On January 1. 2006 the responsibility for integration and inclusion was assigned to a separate directorate, the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi).