Processing times for work permits
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has during the least year implemented a number of efforts to facilitate work migration to Norway, and have plans for further facilitation. We therefore do not recognize the picture drawn by the Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises (HSH) in the media lately.
The HSH claims that the UDI uses several months to process applications for work permits based on the EEA-regulations. This is not correct.
95 per cent of all applications for work permits based on the EEA-regulations are processed by the police. The processing times vary slightly between the different police districts.
For the cases that are sent to the UDI, which amounted to 4 500 cases by the end of August, 80 per cent are processed within a month. These are cases where the police are in doubt whether the applications are to be approved, rejected or withdrawn. The average processing time here is 2 months.
In cases where necessary information is lacking for the applications to be processed, the processing may take longer time.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion (AID) is currently evaluating the rules and regulations for work migration with a view to revisions. The Ministry has already proposed several simplifications that will meet the needs of the employers to recruit international labour rapidly.
The immigration administration is eager to find flexible, but responsible solutions to ensure an efficient case processing. An example of this may be self declaration where we to a larger degree will control that the conditions are met after the permits have been granted.
Last updated:
21.09.2007
Published:
21.09.2007
