Waiting time
What kind of case do you have at the UDI?
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Family immigration
Please go to our guide to waiting time in family immigration cases.
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Work
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Visitor's visa (visit and holiday)
How long do you usually have to wait for an answer?
If your application is processed by the embassy in the country you live in,
you will normally receive an answer within 15 days after handing in your application
at the Visa Application Centre, the consulate or the embassy.If your application is processed by an embassy in another country, this will take a few more days, since your application will be sent by courier to and from the embassy.
You’ll find information on the embassy’s web pages on how long this will take.Which applications will it take longer before receives a reply?
Most cases are processed by the embassy, but if the embassy is in doubt about whether you can be granted a visa, they will forward your case to the UDI.
In such cases, most applicants will receive an answer within four weeks of submitting their application to the Visa Application Centre, embassy or consulate.
In a few, very special cases, however, the case will not be processed until up to eight weeks of the application being submitted to the Visa Application Centre, embassy or consulate.
Appeals concerning rejections
Most people will receive an answer within 6 months of submitting their application to the foreign service mission.
Due to the recent summer holidays, the waiting time is unfortunately longer than normal. We will be working to reduce the waiting time throughout the autumn.
This information was last updated on 16 October 2018. It will be updated again on 13 November.
What can you do to contribute to receiving an answer as quickly as possible?
- Make sure that your application is completed correctly and in full.
- Make sure that you enclose enclose all the necessary documents, please see our checklist.
- Make sure that your, and your sponsor’s, contact information is up-to-date.
- It is also a good idea to make sure that the person who has invited you to Norway has power of attorney from you, so that we can give important information to him or her.
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Studies
Go to our guide to waiting time for study permits.
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Permanent residence
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Au pair
Go to our guide to waiting time for au pair permits.
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Citizenship
Please go to our guide to waiting time for citizenship applications.
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Protection (asylum) and strong humanitarian considerations
Please go to our page with waiting times for those who have applied for protection (asylum).
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Immigrant's passport and travel document for refugees
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Explusion and lifting of prohibition of entry
Expulsion decision
Most people will receive a decision within 10 months of the police or the UDI opening an expulsion case and sending an advance notice.
Applications for revocation of a prohibition on entry
EU/EEA nationals:
Most people will receive an answer within 4 months of the UDI receiving the application.Nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA area:
Most people will receive an answer within 4 months of the UDI receiving the application.If you have also applied for a residence permit, you have to add the time it takes until you receive an answer to your application for lifting of prohibition of entry to the total time you have to wait for an answer to your application for a residence permit.
Nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA area who, after they have received a prohibition on entry to Norway, are now covered by the EEA regulations
If you have handed in all the necessary documents, and the UDI believes it is obvious that your prohibition on entry should be lifted, we will process your application within 15 days.
If the UDI has asked you to send in more documents or other information, or we need to make further investigations, you will have to wait longer for a reply. When we have received the documents from you, we will continue to process your case.
Appeals concerning expulsions
Within 3 months of the UDI receiving your appeal, we will either reverse the decision or send your case to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) for consideration of the appeal.
This information was last updated on 16 October 2018. It will be updated again on 13 November.
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Other types of cases
Residence permit for victims of abuse
If you have applied for an independent residence permit because you have been abused by your spouse or cohabitant, you will normally receive an answer to your application within 6 months.
Residence permit for medical treatment
If you have applied for a residence permit for medical treatment for citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA area, you will normally receive an answer to your application within 4 months.
If you are going to be interviewed by the embassy or the police, it may take longer before you receive an answer to your application. You will be notified if you are going to be interviewed.
Residence permit for those who had a Norwegian mother or father when they were born
If you have applied for a residence permit for those who had a Norwegian mother or father when they were born, you will normally receive an answer to your application within 4 months.
Residence permit because of strong humanitarian considerations or because you have a special connection with Norway
If you have applied for a residence permit because of strong humanitarian considerations or because you have a special connection with Norway (humanitarian grounds), you will normally receive an answer to your application within 4 months.
