There are several ways to move to Norway, such as through family immigration, work, or student permits. The rules depend on the type of application, your nationality, and whether it is your first application or a renewal.
Both non-EEA and EEA nationals must deal with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and/or the police to hand in the documentation required to legally live, work, and build a life in Norway.
UDI provides an estimated waiting time for each application (also posted on their website), ranging from a few months to a year and a half, or even two years. The current website shows a timeframe of around 18 months for first-time family reunification applicants and up to 25 months for some permanent residency applicants.
These estimates can change while you wait, and in reality, the process can take even longer.
To understand how applicants feel, The Local conducted a survey, and the results from our readers show that these timeframes are often misleading, leaving applicants in an indefinite "limbo".
For people seeking family reunification (the largest group of respondents) who have already received a decision, the wait was often gruelling. Nearly two-thirds, or about 64 percent, waited more than 18 months, a timeframe that far exceeded the UDI's initial estimates.
Meanwhile, only 18 percent received their permits between 12 and 18 months, and a similarly small minority saw their applications processed in under half a year.
For those still stuck in the queue, the situation is just as worrying. Nearly half of current applicants have already passed their UDI-estimated completion dates without a decision, while the rest are still waiting within the 18-month window.
The situation also appears dire for those applying for permanent residency. Among established residents who have completed the process, the majority reported that their evaluation took longer than 18 months.
This pattern continues for current applicants, with two-thirds of pending permanent residency cases already past their estimated deadline.
Study and work permits demonstrated more consistency. These categories offer a semblance of predictability, with half of all respondents reporting that they received their answers on time.
‘Honestly a nightmare’
Respondents shared that the wait is far more than a bureaucratic hurdle; it takes a profound toll on their mental and emotional well-being. Even those who do eventually get a decision within the official timeframe say the process drags on so long that it feels endless.
For Pedram Firuz, 32, who is waiting for family immigration in Drammen, the inefficiency feels structural. "More than 18 months of waiting for an answer in a country with only 5 million inhabitants is a joke," he said. "The fact that this is even possible makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time."
A 33-year-old British citizen in Oslo told The Local he was informed by the police to expect a wait of 12 to 16 weeks for permanent residency. "Now I will wait over two years," he said. "UDI and the police are actively lying to residents... It’s honestly a nightmare."
This sentiment is echoed by Mukesh Kumar, 38, from India, who is currently waiting for a residence permit in Oslo. "I feel this is an unnecessarily long waiting time; they already have all the documents and records from the past," he said.
Similarly, a 31-year-old resident in Stavanger who applied for first-time family immigration finds the process inexcusable. "How can an application take 18 months to make a decision? This is interestingly awful. All the documents are checked by the police, yet it stays in the queue for so long. Expectations should be reasonable, and such time is not reasonable but puts one into a stressful situation."
An anonymous respondent waiting for a family renewal added: "It feels illegal that we should wait this long.”
The emotional toll is perhaps best summarized by Olga, a 47-year-old from Ukraine, who gave a strong statement regarding her experience: "It is humiliation."
For Kate Jordahl, 67, currently waiting in the USA for approval to move to her house in Norway, hope is fading. "I was interviewed by the police in August 2024. By all indications on the website, I should have at least had a caseworker by March 2026. I have heard nothing but the monthly form letter. We have an extended family that is aging. We are losing hope."
Some, like Firuz, feel so discouraged that they added, "Don’t choose Norway—go to another country. In Germany, Canada, or Italy, you’ll have your wife or husband with you at home in four months."
Being "stuck" in the system often means you cannot work or travel. "It is frustrating to be stuck in a place where, if an emergency occurs, you can't leave the country," said one respondent in Stavanger who applied for a student permit.
Another anonymous respondent from Africa described feeling "trapped in Norway like a prisoner." "You cannot fulfil work obligations or spend time with elderly parents... so much for the promises of a speedy evaluation."
When it comes to family reunification, some apply from abroad. This means long wait times can keep them apart from their children and spouses. Jenny, a mother in Oslo waiting for her husband, said: "I’m very anxious because our daughter is getting bigger now without a father besides us. We cannot contact the UDI about our papers... I hope they will consider us."
The positive side
On a more positive note, a few people shared successful experiences.
It is still unclear why some applications are processed faster than others, but some cases stand out.
Thomas Rooke, 40, from the USA, was "pleasantly surprised" when his wife’s family immigration permit was approved in just two months, despite the website predicting a year and a half. "What helped in our case was that she was an American citizen married to a Norwegian citizen with two Norwegian children," he said.
He added that they were under a lot of stress initially because they needed her to be working to afford their life in Norway.
Similarly, Lokman T., 39, found Norway's procedure quite straightforward. "Having experienced the UK's Home Office before, Norway's UDI was a breeze. I am on a skilled worker visa, and my spouse received it in about two months."
While Norway remains a highly attractive destination that many dream of calling home, the reality of UDI waiting times leaves many applicants facing extended periods of stress and uncertainty.
The lack of clarity around when they can start their new lives in Norway creates major obstacles to integration, puts financial pressure on families, and, most importantly, takes a severe toll on the mental health and stability of those waiting.
As an anonymous respondent waiting for a family renewal concluded: “Buckle up! It's gonna be a long shit show."
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