Application processing times – service goals
For the most common types of applications the Immigration Service has maximum time limits for how long applicants should expect to have to wait for a decision (service goals).
Table 1: Maximum processing times
| Case type: | Maximum processing time (fully complete application): |
|---|
Family reunification, simple cases and EU cases
Read more detailed information about family reunification |
3 months |
Family reunification, complicated cases
Read more detailed information about family reunification |
7 months |
| Residence permit not to be considered as lapsed before departure (family reunification) |
3 months |
| Residence permit not to be considered as lapsed after departure (family reunification) |
4 months |
| Temporary (extension) residence permits |
3 months
(See important information)
|
| Permanent residence permit |
7 months
(See important information) |
| EU appeal cases |
6 months |
| Passport (Danish alien's passport or convention passport) Read more detailed information about passport |
10 weeks |
| Passport (extension) simple cases |
10 days |
| Religious workers |
3 months |
| Religious workers (extension) |
3 months |
| EU appeal cases |
6 months |
Maximum processing times
The stated maximum processing time is calculated starting from the date the Immigration Service receives a fully completed application. An application is considered fully completed if it contains all required information, has been signed correctly and includes the required documentation.
The Immigration Service determines whether the application is fully completed. The vast majority of applications are fully completed when the Immigration Service receives them and applicants typically will not hear from us until the decision is sent. If the application is not fully completed we will inform the applicant as soon as possible. This is often the case for Greencard applicants who have a foreign education.
The service goals vary dependent on the application type and the degree of complication. It is stated that family reunification applications (simple cases) have a 3 months processing time. A fully completed family reunification application will thus be processed within a maximum of 3 months. A fully completed family reunification application submitted on the 1st of February 2012 will be processed and finalized no later than the 1st of May 2012. See table 1.
Information about service goals
As at the 1st of January 2012, all applicants will receive a separate letter of information stating the expected service goals of 30 days. The letter of information will be forwarded upon our receipt of the application. However, if the case can be processed and finalized within 30 days, the applicant will not receive a separate letter of information.
The service goals may vary depending on e.g. seasonal fluctuations in the volume of cases being processed. If the case processing time extraordinarily exceeds the 30 days service goal, the applicant will receive a separate information letter stating a revised expected processing time limit.