Lengthy processing times at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) are a fact of life for foreigners living in Norway. A planned IT system should bring change, but ironically, we’ll have to wait years for the solution.
For families and individuals moving to Norway, the extensive wait times for residency and citizenship permits often complicate relocation plans and increase frustration.
Applicants for Norwegian residence or citizenship permits with UDI know the challenge well—months, or even years, of waiting can delay major life plans and put lives on hold.
However, a newly proposed overhaul of Norway’s immigration services’ IT system aims to change that, although it will be several years before these changes are fully implemented.
Norway's government has committed to a six-year program designed to modernise the outdated IT infrastructure that supports the Norwegian immigration process, including the work of UDI and related agencies.
With a proposed investment of NOK 100 million in 2025, the total project budget is estimated at over NOK 2 billion.
The upgrade is expected to significantly improve processing speeds, user experience, and the security of sensitive personal information within the system.
The Problem of Long Wait Times
At present, the UDI’s slow and cumbersome processing affects thousands of applicants.
While some applications, particularly for Norwegian citizenship, can be automatically processed in a few months, many still require manual handling, which can take anything from a year up to 26 months.
Currently, the UDI has a backlog of around 20,500 citizenship applications alone, and the outdated system is seen as a major contributor to these delays.
Processing inefficiencies impact not only the applicants but also the immigration case handlers whose workloads have become increasingly complex.
A Step Toward Modernisation
The Ministry of Justice has pointed out that the current IT systems are not only expensive to operate but also fail to meet modern security standards.
“Today’s IT systems in immigration administration are outdated and lack the ability for digital information sharing. This results in less user-friendly services and hinders more efficient case processing. The systems are also becoming increasingly costly to operate,” said justice minister Emilie Enger Mehl in a press release.
The new IT system will offer better options for self-service, reduce the need for in-person visits, and allow for seamless data-sharing between agencies.
This would improve workflows across the UDI, the Immigration Appeals Board, the National Police Immigration Service, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The program will enable smoother case processing by incorporating automated functions and enhancing internal and inter-agency communication.
The Benefits—But Patience Is Required
Although the upgraded system promises shorter wait times and a smoother application experience, the full implementation is not expected until 2031.
If approved in December, the initial phases of the program will begin in 2025, allowing applicants to gradually experience improvements.
Aside from faster processing, the new system will also aim to reduce risks associated with identity control, cyber threats, and data leaks, providing greater security for all parties involved in the immigration process.
“Modernisation is necessary to provide better services for users, more efficient case processing, improved coordination within the administration, and better control and security,” adds the minister.
Fewer Case Handlers Expected
With automation and streamlined workflows, the UDI anticipates a reduced need for as many case handlers. This is seen as a way to counter the increasing complexity of immigration cases while managing large migration flows efficiently.
While it may take time, the planned modernisation is a positive step toward a more efficient and secure immigration system that should alleviate some of the frustrations currently experienced by those looking to settle in Norway.
