Applications received by the Directorate in the month specified in the table below are being processed. Not all applications are decided on in the month they are taken for processing.

Applications received later than in the month specified await processing.

When an application is being processed, this means that it has been submitted to a case worker, who will check whether the applicant meets the conditions of the residence permit applied for. If the application is incomplete or if necessary documentation is missing, the Directorate will contact the applicant or his/her representative. In some cases, the Directorate of Immigration obtains additional information to that submitted by the applicant, for example from the police and/or tax authorities. Therefore, it may take some time until the Directorate of Immigration contacts the applicant.

If your application awaits processing, no information regarding the application can be provided by telephone, e-mail or online chat.

Students

The deadline for applying for a residence permit for studies is June 1st for autumn semester and November 1st for spring semester each year.

Applications for student permits, received with satisfactory documentation within the deadline, will be processed before semester starts.

Processing time for applications for residence permits

The processing time for applications for first residence permits varies depending on the number of applications received by the Directorate; it can be up to 8 - 10 months.

Most renewal applications are processed within three months, see the status in the table above. However, it always takes longer to process applications that require further processing in order to assess whether the applicant meets the conditions for a residence permit, for example if documents are insufficient or missing.

The processing time is likely to be longer if:

• an application is incomplete,

• further documentation must be called for,

• an applicant must be interviewed or

• an applicant has requested an exemption from permit requirements.

Even though an application has not been processed within the usual time frame, it is not necessary to contact the Directorate of Immigration. The Directorate contacts the applicant or his/her representative if an application is incomplete or if further documentation is needed.