This information is relevant if you are a spouse, cohabitant or child under the age of 18 of someone who has a residence permit for studies or as a researcher with their own funds. 

Information for you who have submitted a first-time application 

Unfortunately, we do not always have the capacity to process your application simultaneously as your family member who is a student.

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.

Applications which are processed by the UDI

If the police send your application to the UDI, you will be notified by email or SMS.

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 received a rejection and have appealed

Today it normally takes 12 months from the 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).

This information was last updated on 

. It will be updated again on 

.