Application Procedure
The fastest way to apply is via the Application Portal. Then, the applicant does not have to queue up at the Embassy and the application is given priority over the paper applications.
Sponsors in Norway can do this part of the application for applicants who are unable to do it themselves.
Residence Permits for Denmark / Iceland
Applicants for Residence Permits for Denmark or Iceland cannot use the Application Portal.
However, this will not affect the processing time of their case as the cases are forwarded by the first weekly courier to Denmark / Iceland for processing.
Electronic Case Processing
When the applicant has handed in all the supporting documents at the Embassy and done the interview, the Embassy scans the documents and finishes the registration of the case. The case is then transferred electronically to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in Oslo who will handle the case.
Verification
At the same time, the Embassy sends out verification requests to Philippine authorities. Due to the high number of fake and forged documents in the Philippines, the UDI has instructed the Embassy to verify the supporting documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, baptismal, school papers, university papers, etc.) that are submitted with the application.
The respective Philippine authorities check the documents / certificates against their registers and reply to the Embassy. I.e. the verification process is not the same as being issued a certificate.The latter is done in a week or two, whereas a verification process normally takes 2-4 months.
When the Embassy receives the result of the verification, it is immediately put on the case (electronically) and the UDI is notified.
Processing of the Case
When the UDI receives an application, it is firstly screened and checked for any missing documents or information.
The Case Officer also checks if it is necessary for the Police in Norway to interview the Sponsor (in most cases, this is not necessary if the sponsor has taken a written interview at the Embassy in Manila).
If everything is OK, the case is put in a queue.
If any documents are missing or if the Directorate requires more information, the applicant will be contacted. In most cases, this is not an issue as the Embassy checks all documents thoroughly before transferring the case to the UDI.
Most of the 'processing time' is actually 'Waiting time' in a queue. The timing of the processing time starts from when the Embassy receives the application. The Verification process does not add to the processing time. The Verification is usually done 2-3 months before the application is in the front of the queue in the UDI, ready to be processed.
Processing Times:
The UDI's processing times are continuously updated on the Directorate's website: http://www.udi.no/templates/Page.aspx?id=9293
Status Enquiries / Follow-ups
Before making a follow-up, applicants are respectfully requested to first check the current processing time for their type of application. If the processing time has not been exceeded, follow-ups should not be made (the answer is that 'The application is in a queue').
The main reason for the long processing time is that people make follow-ups before the processing time has been exceeded. That means that case handlers spend their time speaking / writing to applicants / sponsors, instead of processing cases.
If there is anything missing in the application or if the Directorate of Immigration require any further information, the applicant (or the person with Power of Attorney) will be contacted.
Notification of Decision
When the UDI has made a decision in the case, the Embassy is notified and the Embassy informs the applicant.
Important - Power of Attorney ('Fullmakt')
If the applicant has given Power of Attorney to someone else (e.g. the husband, a friend in Norway, etc), the UDI informs the person with Power of Attorney.
It is then the responsibility of the person with Power of Attorney to inform the applicant. The Embassy will not inform the applicant in these cases.
Issuance of an Entry Visa
Applicants who have been notified (by the Embassy or the person with Power of Attorney in their case) that their application has been approved, may hand in their passport and a new passport photograph at the Visa Section between 09.00-11.15 Mon-Thurs.
Unless there are technical problems, the visa will be released the same day at 3 pm.
In cases where passports and / or other relevant documents are handed in after 11.15, the visa will be released at 3pm the next day. The reason for this is the high volume of visas to be printed every day.
For information about different types of Residence Permits, please click here.