Case-processing times for family immigration vary because each application is unique.
The waiting period for applications for family immigration to Norway has increased somewhat in 2010 following the introduction of the new Immigration Act, which is demanding to UDI case officers during the introductory period.
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Case-processing times for family immigration vary because each application is unique. If there are no doubts that the requirements are met and all relevant information is enclosed, your case may be processed quicker than the others.
In 2010 the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) processed around 18 000 family immigration applications. We processed 1600 cases in January 2011.
80 % of all applications and appeals submitted in 2011 will be processed within 6 months
You are welcome to contact us for an update on your case if you have waited more than 6 months. Tell us your full name, date of birth and DUF-number if you have one.
The time it takes for us to process your case depends on which country you are from, since applications from some countries are more complicated than others. This also means that some will have a case-processing time that is shorter than 6 months.
Applications and appeals can take more than 6 months if:
- DNA-examinations and examinations of documents are required. It is UDIs experience that this is needed more often by applicants from some countries than others.
- The application is lacking documentation. See UDIs checklist to learn more about the requirements from the Norwegian embassy or consulate in the country you are applying from.
- UDI is awaiting a response from the police or embassy concerning an interview or a document verifications. The person in Norway / you will be contacted if an interview is necessary.
- We must assess whether the marriage is real.
- The person in Norway is waiting for his/her permit.
- The person in Norway has an unfinished expulsion case.
- There is doubt whether other requirements are met.
What can you do to prevent delays in the case-processing?
- Ensure that the application is complete and that you have answered all questions. If you register via the Application Portal, the system will guide you to through the process.
- Ensure that all documents are enclosed.
- If you are applying for family immigration with your spouse, live-in-partner or fiancé. We recommend that you fill in our Description of the relationship-questionnaire.
- Even if you contact us often, the UDI unfortunately cannot process your case any faster.
Cases to family members of work immigrants
For family immigration with skilled worker/specialist, please see the page of processing times for work permits.
Prioritising cases
Most applicants would like their family members to come to Norway as soon as possible. To ensure equal treatment, we normally do not prioritise some applications over others, as long as there are no special reasons to do this. To request that your case is prioritised you must contact the UDI in writing and document your reasons for why we should give your case priority. Applications from children below the age of 18 are prioritised in all parts of the case processing.
What happens after the application is submitted?
The police normally process renewals, whereas most applications from persons applying for the first time are forwarded to the UDI. You, or the person in Norway, will be contacted if an interview is needed. You, or a person you have granted power of attorney in your case, will be contacted after the case is finished. For more information, see our
illustration of the application procedure (in Norwegian).
Applications and appeals submitted before 1.1.2011
These cases may have different case-processing times than applications submitted in 2011. The reason being that we have organised our work processes in terms of these cases in another way than the cases submitted in 2011. The case-processing time depends on which country you are from. This is because applications from certain countries, in our experience, are easier to process than others.
See expected case-processing times for the different countries.
More information:
