ad-hoc query on processing times and service standards for ......visas are issued by the diplomatic...

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Ad-Hoc Query on Processing Times and Service Standards for Visas

Requested by UK EMN NCP on 11th

July 2013

Compilation produced on 27th

August 2013

Responses from Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovak Republic,

Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom plus Norway (14 in Total)

Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of

the EMN. The contributing EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and

reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.

1. Background Information

The UK is in the process of implementing new service standards for immigration customers. We would like to make the system clearer and more

straightforward for customers whilst also ensuring that we are able to meet the deadlines of the processing times set.

The UK NCP would like to know the standard processing times of different immigration applications in your Member State and how successful you

are at meeting these deadlines.

1) Please provide information in the table below detailing processing times and current performance for your Member State. We would like to

know the processing times when an application is made outside of the Member state and also within the Member State.

2) Does your Member State provide these figures to the general public? (if so, please provide a web link)

EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Processing Times and Service Standards for Visas

Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing

EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does

not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.

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We would very much appreciate your responses by 11th

August 2013.

2. Responses

Wider

Dissemination?

Bulgaria Yes According to the Law for the Foreigners in Republic of Bulgaria “Visa is a permission granted by the RB of entry and residence, transit or

airport transit”. Visas are issued by the diplomatic and consular authorities of Republic of Bulgaria. They are 3 types – for airport transit

(visa type “A”), for short-term residence (visa type “C”) and for long-term residence (visa type “D”). Visa applicant submits not earlier

than three months before the planned visit, the completed and signed application form, determined by the Council of Ministers. The

responsible institution for the visa issuance is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ministry of Interior-Migration Directorate participates in a

coordination procedure concerning visa type “D”.

The foreigners’ residence in the RB is carried out on the basis of issued visa, applied for outside the country and subsequent application

and issuance of a residence permit of the Services for administrative control of foreigners.

The last two columns in the requested table are not completed because of not enough or not available information on the topics.

Category of stay Standard processing

time (days)

Current

processing time

Other processing times

Visitor Visa

15 - N/A

FAMILY

Family (settlement)

(Outside MS)

15 - N/A

Family, spouse, partner

(within MS)

20 - N/A

WORK

Entrepreneurs and

Investors

(within MS)

14-60 - N/A

Entrepreneurs, Investors 35 - N/A





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(outside MS)

Skilled workers

(within MS)

7 - N/A

Skilled workers

(outside MS)

15 - N/A

STUDENTS

Students

(within MS)

14 days - N/A

Students

(outside MS)

15 days - N/A

SPONSERSHIP

By Education or

employer establishments

(Within MS) N/A N/A N/A

PERMANENT

MIGRATION

Bulgaria

Citizenship/Nationality

240-360 - N/A

Third country citizens

related to citizens of EU

or EFTA member

countries

60 - N/A

Estonia Yes Category of stay Standard processing

time(according to the

relevant legislation)

Current processing time Other processing times

Visitor Visa

(outside MS)

Short-term visa (C) – up to 5

15 days C visas -15 calendar days or

up to 30 days, in exceptional

cases up to 60 days.

D visas- decision is made by

-





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years

Long-term visa (D) –1 year

consulate officials in 30 days

FAMILY

(temporary residence permit in

case of Slovakia)

Family

(outside MS)*

N/A N/A N/A


(within MS)

In case an alien has been

married to a lawfully residing

in Estonia person for under 3

years the length of residence

permit may not exceed 1 year.

The permit may be prolonged

during the next three years for a

period of validity of no more

that 1 year at a time (3 x 1

year).


married to a lawfully residing

in Estonia person for at least 3

years the length of residence

permit may not exceed 3 years.

The permit may be prolonged

for 3 years at a time.


granted a temporary residence

permit as a family member of a

person residing in Estonia upon

temporary residence permit

then the period of validity of

2 months 60% in 28 working days N/A





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the permit of a family member

shall not exceed the validity of

a permit of the spouse.

WORK


case of Slovakia)

Entrepreneurs and Investors

(within MS)

2 months 61% in 90 working days

Entrepreneurs, Investors

(outside MS)*

N/A N/A N/A

Skilled workers

(within MS)


Skilled workers*

(outside MS)

N/A N/A N/A

STUDENTS


case of Slovakia)

Students

(within MS)


Students

(outside MS)*

N/A N/A N/A

SPONSORSHIP


case of Slovakia)

(Within MS) 2 months 59% in 36 working days In case of short-term employment

(6 months in 1 year period)

working/vocational training/au-

pair/research/youth project etc

under D-visa is possible. In this

case the processing time of visa at

the foreign representation is

officially 15 days and the





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registration of short-term

employment that takes place

within the member state takes

generally 10 working days)

PERMANENT MIGRATION

Estonian


Declaration of intent – 1

month, processing time –

3 months, decision is

made at the Government

of the Republic – no

official processing

time/indefinite.

Average processing time is 3

months

N/A

European Casework – rights of

residence

The right of permanent

residence of an EU citizen –

indefinite

The right of temporary

residence of an EU citizen - up

to 5 years


residence of a family member

of an EU citizen – up to 5 years


residence of a family member

of an EU citizen – indefinite


residence of an EU

citizen - place of

residence in Estonia must

be registered first, then in

order to certify the right

of temporary residence a

EU citizen must apply

for the ID-card within

one month from the

registration of place of

residence. ID-card

processing time 30 days;


residence of an EU

citizen – 1 month; The

right of temporary

residence of a family

member of an EU citizen

– 3 months; The right of

permanent residence of a

family member of an EU

citizen – 1 month.



the notice of residence is

submitted to the municipal

or city government official

responsible for dealing with

the Population Register.

Also it is possible to register

the place of residence

online. In both cases the

registration is immediate if

the notice is justified.



70% in 9 working days



member of an EU citizen –




An ID-card applied for in urgent

procedure shall be issued within 5

working days. Applicable in

Tallinn service bureaus only.





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member of an EU citizen –


* an application may not be processed at foreign representations of Estonia. While certain applications may be lodged at the foreign

representation all processing of residence permits, rights of residence, work permits, Estonian citizenship and international

protection as well as registration of short-term employment takes place within the Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia.

Finland Yes 1) - 2) As a rule the application for a first residence permit must be submitted to the Finnish embassy before entering Finland. Decisions

are made by the Finnish Immigration Service. Information on the average processing times (starting from the filing of an application until

the first decision) for the first residence permit applications is available at the web site of the Finnish Immigration Service:

http://www.migri.fi/services/processing_times/average_processing_times.

In 2012, the target and average processing times for the first residence permit applications were as follows:

Basis for application: target

processing

times

2012*

average

processing

times

2012

Adoption at once 32

Au pair 70/270 60

Self-employment 70/270 268

Former Finnish citizen, native Finnish citizen 210 427

Special expert 70/270 27

Special expert, Blue Card - 41

Trainee 70/270 28

Residence permit for a victim of trafficking in human beings at once 146

Guardian of a recipient of international protection 270 674

Child of a recipient of international protection 210 352

Other relative of a recipient of international protection 270 629

Spouse of a recipient of international protection 270 450

Other grounds 270 263

Other employment 70/270 72

Guardian of a person with a Finnish residence permit 270 458

Child of a person with a Finnish residence permit 210 186

Other relative of a person with a Finnish residence permit 270 661

http://www.migri.fi/services/processing_times/average_processing_times





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Spouse of a person with a Finnish residence permit 270 211

Studying 40 20

Residence permit for an employed person 40 113

Long-term EC status in another Member State - 35

Returnee, residence permit on the basis of remigration 210 230

Guardian of a Finnish citizen 210 116

Child of a Finnish citizen 210 92

Other relative of a Finnish citizen 210 303

Spouse of a Finnish citizen 210 119

Scientific research 70/270 22

Sports or coaching 70/270 69

* In case the Finnish Immigration Service has set two different targets (e.g. 70/270) the first one is for positive decisions and the second

for negative decisions

Family members of Finnish citizens may, however, file the first residence permit application on the basis of family ties in Finland or

abroad. In case the application has been filed in Finland the District Police issues the residence permit. Information on the average

processing times is available on the web site of the police:

http://www.poliisi.fi/poliisi/home.nsf/ExternalFiles/Poliisin%20lupahallinnon%20tilastot%20(media)%20tammi-

huhtikuu%202013%20END/$file/Poliisin%20lupahallinnon%20tilastot%20(media)%20tammi-huhtikuu%202013%20END.pdf

In 2012, the average processing time (days) of the first residence permit applications (filed by the family members of Finnish citizens in

Finland) was as follows:

Guardian of a Finnish citizen 53

Child of a Finnish citizen 59

Spouse of a Finnish citizen 78

Finland does not issue D-visas. As far as tourist visas (valid for a maximum of three months) are concerned the Finnish embassies abroad

have been able to issue visas within the time limits set forth in the Visa Code (art. 23) and visa facilitation agreements (e.g. EU-RU VFA,

art. 7). Only the Consulate General in St. Petersburg/Russia has faced some difficulties at peak periods – in 2012 the Consulate General

processed 1,04 million visa applications.

France Yes 1. The Directorate of Visa of the French Ministry of Interior cannot distinguish between the processing times for the different types of

visas, because it varies from a case to another.

There are processing times only for visa issuance abroad; visa issuance at the border is immediate.

http://www.poliisi.fi/poliisi/home.nsf/ExternalFiles/Poliisin%20lupahallinnon%20tilastot%20(media)%20tammi-huhtikuu%202013%20END/$file/Poliisin%20lupahallinnon%20tilastot%20(media)%20tammi-huhtikuu%202013%20END.pdf

http://www.poliisi.fi/poliisi/home.nsf/ExternalFiles/Poliisin%20lupahallinnon%20tilastot%20(media)%20tammi-huhtikuu%202013%20END/$file/Poliisin%20lupahallinnon%20tilastot%20(media)%20tammi-huhtikuu%202013%20END.pdf





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Theoretically, the situation is the following:

- Regarding short term visas, article 23 of Regulation (EC) n° 810/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 July

2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas states that "1. Applications shall be decided on within 15 calendar days of the

date of the lodging of an application which is admissible in accordance with Article 19. 2. That period may be extended up to a

maximum of 30 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed or in cases of

representation where the authorities of the represented Member State are consulted. 3. Exceptionally, when additional

documentation is needed in specific cases, the period may be extended up to a maximum of 60 calendar days."

Besides the foreseen exceptions, the Community Code on Visas imposes a processing time of maximum 15 days for a decision to be

taken. In most cases, French consulates respect these provisions and issue the visa within the 15 days.

- Regarding long term visas, the provisions of the Code on Entry and Residence of Foreigners and Right of Asylum (Ceseda) and

the administrative jurisprudence, state that "when there are no conventional, legislative or regulatory provisions defining when a

visa can be refused to a foreigner willing to come to France, and regarding the nature of such a decision, the French authorities

have a large appreciative power in this respect, and can base their decision not only on reasons linked with public order, but also

on any consideration of general interest" (Conseil d'État, 25 July 2008, M. and Mme. Issaiden, n° 305697, based on a consistent

jurisprudence).

In this regard, the consular authority can proceed to the "verification of any foreign civil status certificate under the conditions defined in

article 47 of the Civil Code" (article L. 111-6 of the Ceseda). In this respect, article R. 211-4 of the Ceseda states that "to undertake the

verification provided in article L. 111-6, and as a departure to the provisions of article 21 of law n° 2000-321 of 12 April 2000 related to

the rights of the citizens in their relation with the administration, diplomatic and consular authorities stay proceedings on the visa

application made by the person who owns the litigious civil status certificate during a maximal length of four months. When the

verifications did not result in, suspension can be extended for a strictly necessary length which cannot exceed four months".

Therefore, for some categories of applicants (for the cases having as object the family settling in France and thus calling for verifications

of the civil status certificates given with the visa application), the proceeding times can last up till 8 months. In this case, the applicants are

notified of the opening of a procedure of verification of their civil status certificates.

2. The processing times of consular post are not public.

Italy Yes The terms for issuing a Schengen visa are listed in Article 23 of the Visa Code: 15 days, to be extended in individual cases up to 60 days.

The terms for issuing national visas have been defined in art. 5, c. 8 of Presidential Decree No 394 of 31.8.1999 (as amended by D.P.R.

334/2004), which states that the diplomatic-consular mission, “after ascertaining that the application can be entertained, and after

conducting the necessary investigations in relation to the visa, including the preventive security checks, shall issue the visa within 90 days

of the date of application” (30 days for paid employment, 120 days for self-employment). Pursuant to article 6(2) and (3) of Ministerial





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Decree 171 of 3 March 1997, these deadlines may be exceeded whenever it is necessary to carry out investigations or acquire information,

documents and opinions from foreign authorities.

Please note that Visas can only be issued outside Italy. In fact, the responsibility for issuing visas lies with the Italian diplomatic and

consular offices with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the applicant, which is responsible for ascertaining possession of

all requisites (art. 4, paragraph 2, of Consolidated Act 286/1998).

I confirm that all visas must be applied from abroad. Concerning processing times for the different types of visas please note that

deadlines are usually met and the incidence of visas released in relation to the number of applications is very high (over 90%). People

willing to become Italian citizens do not need to apply for a visa because their application can be submitted from abroad and it is not

requested to come to Italy. Processing times may vary according to the consular representation. In those consular seats located in countries

where large Italian communities are based (such as in some Latin American countries) processing time can be slightly more slow due to

the high amount of requests. No further information is available.

Latvia Yes Category of stay Standard processing

time (days)

Current

processing time


Visitor Visa

Short-term Schengen visa

can be from 1 day up to 5

years (90 days within a

period of 180 days)

15 days 98% in 15 days

FAMILY

Family (settlement)

(Outside MS)

N/A


(within MS)

Outside Member State the

first permit, within

Member State – the

repeated permits

30 days – ordinary

procedure

10 working days or 5

working days –

accelerated procedure

100% in 30 days If the decision cannot be made

within standard processing times

due to the lack of some

documents or information, the

deadline of decision can be

prolonged up to 4 months.

WORK

Entrepreneurs and 30 days – ordinary 100% in 30 days If the decision cannot be made





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Investors

(within MS)

non-visa citizens and

investors whose country

of origin is not a country

of increased risk of

terrorism are allowed to

apply within.

procedure


working days –






prolonged up to 4 months


(outside MS)


procedure


working days –







prolonged up to 4 months

Skilled workers

(within MS)

Up to 5 years (depending

on the term of labour

contract)


procedure


working days –








Skilled workers

(outside MS)

N/A N/A N/A

STUDENTS

For a time period,

indicated in the study

contract

Students

(within MS)

State only students who

apply for a master or

doctor’s program and

exchange students


procedure


working days –








Students

(outside MS)


procedure







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working days –






SPONSERSHIP

By Education or


(Within MS)

For a time period,

indicated in the study

contract or other

agreement.


procedure


working days –








PERMANENT

MIGRATION

Latvian


Permanent residence

permit for not less than 5

years to acquire

citizenship through

naturalisation

1 year - according to

the Citizenship Law,

but in practice from 2

to 5 months

depending on the

individual case.

100% in 240 days After submission of application

for citizenship within two months

time person must apply for

naturalisation test (set the date for

the test).

Following the completion of

naturalisation test the Office of

Citizenship and Migration Affairs

examines the application

(according to the Law 1 year for

application process as information

about the person is requested also

from other institutions).

European Casework N/A N/A N/A

Lithuania Yes 1. In Lithuania, a third country national may be admitted to Lithuania having a visa (Schengen or national), a residence permit

(temporary or permanent) or a permit/visa issued by another EU MS, if a visa regime is applied. According to the legal acts, a

national and Schengen visa shall be issued in 15 working days (Target time) and in exceptional cases the time can be extended to

30 or 60 days. Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrates that 95 percent of national and Schengen visas are issued

within 5-7 working days. Residence permits are issued within 6 months (for all categories) or within 2 months (for highly skilled

workers). In practice, residence permits are issued in a shorter period but the Migration department does not have data on the

performance time.





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2. Yes. Only target times are provided. http://keliauk.urm.lt/index.php/index-home-page/first/visas

Luxembourg Yes 1. The General Procedure that Luxembourg follows for the issuance of a Visa C (short-term visa) is the one that is contemplated in the

Visa Code1 and the handbook for the organization of visa sections and local Schengen cooperation. The long-term visas are issued for

the other type of authorisation of stay foreseen by the Law of 29 August 2008 on free movement of persons and immigration.

Luxembourg has a limited number of diplomatic representations abroad and depends in another Member States for the processing of

the Visas C and D. All applications for authorisation of stay and visas has to be made abroad (only with the exception foresees by

article 39 of the Las of 29 August 2008).

The table below reflects the standard processing times foreseen in the law.

Category of stay Standard processing time Current processing time Other processing times

Short stay visa 15 days Nevertheless, in cases were

further scrutiny is needed or

when is the diplomatic mission

of another Member States that

handles the application on

behalf of Luxembourg the

delay is of 30 days.

Exceptionally the delay may be

extended up to a maximum of

60 calendar days in case

additional documents are

needed.

Authorisation of stay

- Salaried worker 4 months N.I. Can be extended in exceptional

circumstances linked to the

complexity of the study of the

application.

- Highly qualified

worker

90 days

- Self-employed worker 3 months N.I.

- Sportsmen 3 months N.I.

1 Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas.

http://keliauk.urm.lt/index.php/index-home-page/first/visas





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- Student 3 months N.I.

- Pupil 3 months N.I.

- Trainee 3 months N.I.

- Volunteer 3 months N.I.

- Researcher 3 months N.I.

- Family reunification 9 months N.I. Can be extended in exceptional

circumstances linked to the

complexity of the study of the

application.

Once the authorisation of stay is approved and if the applicant is a national from a country that requires an entry visa s/he must applied for

a long-term residence (D visa) at the diplomatic mission of its country of origin.

In Luxembourg, it is difficult to give a performance time because we have very few diplomatic missions abroad. Most of the visas are

handled by other MS (i.e. BE, NL, FR, DE, ES, PT and HU) so the performance times are not easy to compute.

2. The standard processing times are publicised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

http://www.mae.lu/Site-MAE/VISAS-Immigration/Long-sejour-superieur-a-trois-mois/Remarques-preliminaires

Poland Yes Category of stay Standard processing

time (days)

Current processing time Other processing times

Visitor Visa

15

SV/NV – VC

15

SV/NV – VC

-

FAMILY

Family (settlement)

(Outside MS)

30

NV – VC

30

NV – VC

In exceptional cases, it

can take up to 3 months


(within MS)

30 30 1, 9 months

WORK

Entrepreneurs and

Investors

(within MS)

N/A N/A -

http://www.mae.lu/Site-MAE/VISAS-Immigration/Long-sejour-superieur-a-trois-mois/Remarques-preliminaires





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(outside MS)

SV/NV – VC SV/NV – VC -

Skilled workers

(within MS)

30 30 1, 9 months

Skilled workers

(outside MS)

30 30 -

STUDENTS

Students

(within MS)

- 2 months -

Students

(outside MS)

- 2 months -

SPONSERSHIP

By Education or


(Within MS) - - -

PERMANENT

MIGRATION

Polish


3 months 1) Not specified (when

Polish citizenship is granted

by the President, it is

President’s constitutional

prerogative)

2) One month up to two

months (when a foreigner is

recognized as a Polish

citizen based on

administrative decision of

voivode – only for those

who live in Poland and

fulfill conditions specified in





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the Act on Polish

Citizenship

European Casework 3 months - -

NV – National Visa; SV - Schengen Visa; VC – accordance with the Visa Code

Slovak Republic Yes Category of stay Standard processing

time(according to the relevant

legislation)

Current processing

time


Visitor Visa

(outside MS)

up to 15 days from the

reception of the complete

application

95% in 15 days - up to 60 days from the reception of the

complete application in justified cases

in line with the article 23 of the visa

code

- up to 10 days for citizens of countries

where a Visa facilitation agreement

between EU and this respective

country was signed.

FAMILY

(temporary

residence permit in

case of Slovakia)

Family

(outside MS)


reception of the application by

the Aliens Police

Department

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

Up to 30 days from the reception of the

application by the Aliens Police

Department to:

-a spouse of a TCN or a child younger than

18 years of age of a TCN who represents or

works for a foreign investor in the SR and at

the same time is the citizen of the OECD

member state;

-to a spouse of a TCN or a child younger

than 18 years of age of a TCN who

represents or works for an important foreign

investor in the SR (according to relevant

law)

Family, spouse, up to 90 days These data are not Up to 30 days to:





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partner

(within MS)

available in the

Slovak Republic.

-a spouse of a TCN or a child younger than

18 years of age of a TCN who represents or

works for a foreign investor in the SR and at

the same time is the citizen of the OECD

member state;

-to a spouse of a TCN or a child younger

than 18 years of age of a TCN who

represents or works for an important foreign

investor in the SR (according to relevant

law)

WORK

(temporary

residence permit in

case of Slovakia)

Entrepreneurs and

Investors

(within MS)

up to 90 days

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

Up to 30 days to:

- a TCN who represents or works for a

foreign investor in the SR and at the same

time is the citizen of the OECD member

state;

-to a TCN who represents or works for an

important foreign investor in the SR

(according to relevant law)

Entrepreneurs,

Investors

(outside MS)



the Aliens Police

Department

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

Up to 30 days from the reception of the

application by the Aliens Police

Department to:

- a TCN who represents or works for a

foreign investor in the SR and at the same

time is the citizen of the OECD member

state;

-to a TCN who represents or works for an

important foreign investor in the SR

(according to relevant law)

Skilled workers

(within MS)

up to 30 days

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

NA





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Skilled workers

(outside MS)



the Aliens Police

Department

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

NA

STUDENTS

(temporary

residence permit in

case of Slovakia)

Students

(within MS)

up to 30 days

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

NA

Students

(outside MS)



the Aliens Police

Department

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

NA

SPONSORSHIP

(temporary

residence permit in

case of Slovakia)

(Within MS) It is not possible that the

education institution applies

on behalf of her/his student

for the residence permit.

As for the work in this

institution or other

employment the employer can

file the application on behalf

of his/her employee and it is

up to 90 days unless it does

not concern cases mentioned

in the previous columns (e.g.

investor, Blue Card).

PERMANENT





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MIGRATION

Slovak Republic

Citizenship/Nation

ality

up to 24 months

These data are not

available in the

Slovak Republic.

NA

European

Casework

up to 24 months

up to 6-12 months NA

The application is sent to the Aliens Police Department by the diplomatic mission. The diplomatic mission receives the application and

conducts the initial interview with the applicant. Then the application package together with the summary of the interview is sent to the

Aliens Police Department. This process may take from 3-8 weeks, depending on the diplomatic mission, there is no fixed period set by the

law.

According to the Act on Administrative Procedures it is possible to interrupt the procedure for the purposes of e.g. providing missing

supporting documentation or additional information from other institutions. Thus the whole procedure may in some cases take longer as

set by the law and in the column „standard processing time“.

2. The general information on the periods for the issuance of visas and/or residence permits (according to the national legislation) are

provided on the websites of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic (http://www.minv.sk/?pobyt-cudzinca) and the Ministry of

Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (http://www.mzv.sk/en/consular_info/visa) or the respective diplomatic missions or

consulates.

Slovenia Yes According to the Alien Act applicant for visa could apply for three types of visas; Transit visa (Visa type A), Short-stay visa (visa type C)

and Long-stay visa (visa type D).

Visa and Residency permit are two documents under which, in case they are valid, aliens are allowed to reside and work in Slovenia.


http://www.minv.sk/?pobyt-cudzinca

http://www.mzv.sk/en/consular_info/visa





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Transit Visa (Visa type

A)

At the border

Immediately Not applicable Under Article 18 of the Alien

Act and cases specified in the

Visa Code, Short-stay and

Airport transit visas may be

issued by the border

authorities of the Republic of

Slovenia or a diplomatic or

consular representation of

another state party to the

Convention implementing the

Schengen Agreement of 14

June 1985 with which the

ministry responsible for

foreign affairs has concluded a

representation agreement on

visa processing.

A short-stay visa may be

extended by the ministry

responsible for foreign affairs

in the circumstances and

manner provided for in the

Visa Code.

Short-stay Visa

(Visa type C)

Outside Member State:

at the diplomatic

missions and consular

posts of the Republic of

Slovenia abroad

According to the Visa

Code 15 working days

with possibility of

extension for 30 and

than 60 days

1.) 75% in 5-6 working days when

consultation is not needed;

2.) 90% in 15 working days when

consultation with authority is

needed

As above

Long-stay Visa

(Visa type D)

Outside Member State:

According to the

National Administrative

legislation is 30working

days

Majority (in 2012 508 visas type D

were issued) of applications in 15

working days;

Under Article 20 (2) of the

Alien Act a long-stay visa

may also be issued to an alien





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at the diplomatic

missions and consular

posts of the Republic of

Slovenia abroad

who already resides in the

Republic of Slovenia and who

was exempted from the visa

requirement upon entry, but is

obliged to extend his three-

month legal period of stay in

the Republic of Slovenia, as

specified in the second

paragraph of Article 14 of this

Act, for any of the following

reasons: urgent hospital

treatment; death or the serious

health condition of a family

member residing in the

Republic of Slovenia; natural

disaster; urgent prolongation

of a business trip due to

unforeseen circumstances in

order to prevent the

occurrence of major economic

damage or devastating

environmental consequences;

the obligation to participate in

proceedings conducted by a

state authority of the Republic

of Slovenia.

Sweden Yes 1.) Please see table below for Sweden’s responses.






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Short Stay Visa

Schengen Visa (type C,

for short-term visits):

max. 3 months in a six-

month period.

National Visa (type D,

for longer-term visits) or

residence permit:

flexible

No information available Average 2012: 21 days

(95% within 3 months)

Processing times for short-

term visas (processed by

Swedish missions abroad) are

shorter than for national visas

or residence permits or when

both the Swedish missions

abroad and the Swedish

Migration Board are involved

in decision-making.

Average processing time for

short-term visas was 7 days in

2012, 92% within 15 days)

FAMILY

Family

Residence permit

(Visas usually not used)

(outside MS)

No standard processing

time. Objective: as

quickly as possible

Average 2012: 152 days


The average processing time

of 152 days includes 116 days

processing by the Swedish

Migration Board and 36 days

at the Swedish mission abroad

Family, Spouse Partner

(within MS)

Not applicable. With

certain exceptions,

applications for

residence permits for

family reasons usually

need to be lodged

outside Sweden

WORK

Entrepreneurs

(within MS)

Not applicable.

Applications for


entrepreneurs and

investors usually need to

be lodged outside

Sweden





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Entrepreneurs,

Investors

(outside MS)

Residence permit: max.

2 years, possibility of

extension

No standard processing time.

Objective: as quickly as possible



Skilled workers

(EU Blue Card Directive

– Within MS)

Not applicable.

Applications for


work purposes usually

need to be lodged

outside Sweden. Sweden

only has data for all

categories of workers.

No statistical difference

is made between skilled

and unskilled workers

Skilled workers

(EU Blue Card

Directive-

Outside MS)

Not applicable. Sweden

only has data for all

categories of workers.

No statistical difference

is made between skilled

and unskilled workers

Average processing time for all

first-time applications for a work

and residence permit in 2012 was

96 days (63% within 3 months).

This includes all categories of

workers, skilled and unskilled.

STUDENTS

Students

(Within MS)

Not applicable.

Applications for


education reasons

usually need to be

lodged outside Sweden

Students

(Outside MS)

Schengen visas for short-

term stays (up to 3

months); Residence

permits for stays

exceeding 3 months.


time. Objective: as

quickly as possible







24 of 27

Permit validity: flexible,

depending on the period

of studies foreseen;

usually approx. 1 year

with possibility of

extension

SPONSERSHIP

By Education or

employer

establishments

Not applicable. This is

not a known category in

Sweden. See above for

categories “students” or

“workers”, respectively.

Applications for

residence permits

usually need to be

lodged outside Sweden

PERMANENT

MIGRATION

Acquisition of


(third-country nationals)


time. Objective: as

quickly as possible



Acquisition of


(European Casework)


time. Objective: as

quickly as possible

(Processing of applications for

Swedish citizenship lodged by EU

nationals is not generally faster or

slower than the processing of

applications by third-country

nationals. Thus, the average can be

assumed to be comparable to the

value given above for third-country

nationals).

2.) Most of the figures provided in the Table are also provided to the general public through the Swedish Migration Board’s Annual

Report (årsredovisning), please see:

http://www.migrationsverket.se/download/18.43648b4513b902d4269732b/%C3%85rsredovisning+2012.pdf

Applicants can find up-to-date information on current average processing times at the website of the Swedish Migration Board:

http://www.migrationsverket.se/download/18.43648b4513b902d4269732b/%C3%85rsredovisning+2012.pdf





25 of 27

http://www.migrationsverket.se

United Kingdom Yes


time

Current

processing time


Visitor Visa

15 90% in 15 3 to 5 days priority application

(depending on location of application)

FAMILY

Family

(outside MS)

12 Weeks 6 weeks priority application

Family, spouse,

partner

(within MS)

40 Working Days 65% in 4 Weeks N/A

WORK

Entrepreneurs and

Investors

(Within MS)

80 Working Days 90% in 4 Weeks N/A

Entrepreneurs,

Investors

(Outside MS)

3 Weeks 90% in 15 days

(in general)

3-5 Days (Depending on location of

application)

Skilled workers

(within MS)

80 Working Days 90% in 4 weeks

Skilled workers

(Outside MS)

3 Weeks 90% in 15 days

(in general)

STUDENTS

Students

(Within MS)

40 Working days 85% in 4 Weeks

Students

(Outside MS)

3 Weeks 90% in 15 Days

(in general)

3-5 Days (Depending on location of

application)

SPONSERSHIP

By Education or 90 Working days Processed in 5 N/A

http://www.migrationsverket.se/





26 of 27

employer

establishments

(Within MS)

weeks – no

current standard

set

PERMANENT

MIGRATION

British Citizenship/

Nationality

26 Weeks 99% in 26

Weeks

N/A

Third country

citizens related to

citizens of EU or

EFTA member

countries

180 Working days 99% in 26

weeks

N/A

Norway Yes Applicants will find expected case processing times for the different types of permits on http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-

Immigration/Oversiktsider/Case-processing-times/


time

Current

processing time


Visitor Visa

2 weeks

FAMILY

Family

6 months At least 80% 8 – 9 weeks if accompanying an applicant

for work permit

Family, spouse,

partner

6 months At least 80% 8 – 9 weeks if accompanying an applicant

for work permit

WORK

Entrepreneurs and

Investors

3 months At least 80%

http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Oversiktsider/Case-processing-times/

http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Oversiktsider/Case-processing-times/





27 of 27

Entrepreneurs,

Investors


Skilled workers

3 months At least 80% 10 days for applications made at a Service

Centre for Foreign Workers

Skilled workers


STUDENTS

Students

6-8 weeks At least 80%

Students

6-8 weeks At least 80% Au pair: 5 months for applications made

before Sept 2013, 8 – 10 weeks thereafter

PERMANENT

MIGRATION

Norwegian

Citizenship/Nation

ality

6 Months

(if applied after Sep

2012)

At least 80% Applies also to applications for a permanent

residence permit

Third country

citizens related to

citizens of EU or

EFTA member

countries

6 months (residence

card)

8-9 months

(permanent

residence card)

At least 80%

Length of Visa is one year or shorter depending on duration of contract (for work) or course (for study) Applies also to applications for a

permanent residence permit.

The expected times are based on recent actual processing times for the 80 percent ‘fastest’ decisions, adjusted for known changes to future

work load and capacity, to give most of the applicants a realistic understanding of how long they may have to wait. The information is

updated regularly.

************************

ad-hoc query on processing times and service standards for ......visas are issued by the diplomatic...

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