Published 20-05-2021
SIRI is experiencing prolonged case processing times
SIRI's case processing times are too long for many case types, but we are working hard to reduce future case processing times.
SIRI has defined service goals which define the maximum time an applicant should expect to wait for a decision. The service goal is calculated from the time you submit your application for a residence permt to SIRI to the time you receive the decision. The current service goals are between one and three months, depending on the type of case.
In 2020 case processing times for third country citizens increased markedly for several case types. This was primarily due to challenges related to the Corona pandemic and stricter control and case processing procedures (see the development from January 2020 to January 2021 in the table and fact box below).
For some case types, such as agricultural interns, case processing times have improved and are considerably shorter than at the beginning of the year (see column with average case processing times in May 2021). SIRI is still experiencing challenges as a result of the Corona pandemic, but we are working hard to decrease case processing times for all case types in the coming months. We expect that case processing times will go down in the immediate future and that we will be able to meet our service goals for many case types at the end of the third quarter, cf. the table below.
Table: Case processing times and estimated case processing times for the months to come.
|
Case type |
Service goal |
Case processing time |
Case processing time |
Case processing time |
Estimate end of 3rd quarter 2021 |
|
Fast-track* |
1 mth |
17 days |
35 days |
53 days |
1 mth |
|
Pay limit scheme** *** |
1 mth |
59 days |
100 days |
120 days |
1-2 mths |
|
Positive list for people with a higher education** |
1 mth |
66 days |
128 days |
87 days |
1-2 mths |
|
Positive list for skilled work** |
1 mth |
- |
135 days |
127 days |
3 mths |
|
Herdsmen/ farm managers** |
1 mth |
29 days |
108 days |
119 days |
1-2 mths |
|
Researchers/ guest researchers |
1 mth |
25 days |
60 days |
57 days |
1 mth |
|
PhD |
1 mth |
31 days |
32 days |
18 days |
1 mth |
|
Start-up Denmark |
1 mth |
24 days |
176 days |
64 days |
1-2 mths |
|
Establishment card |
1 mth |
26 days |
33 days |
31 days |
1 mth |
|
Paid work (special individual qualifications, trainees and labour market attachment) |
1 mth |
27 days |
97 days |
103 days |
1-2 mths |
|
Interns |
2 mths |
57 days |
103 days |
27 days |
2 mths |
|
Students |
2 mths |
41 days |
52 days |
53 days |
2 mths |
|
Accompanying family |
2 mths |
38 days |
86 days |
88 days |
2 mths |
|
Working holiday/ volunteers |
3 mths |
34 days |
73 days |
- |
3 mths |
|
Au pairs |
3 mths |
47 days |
51 days |
31 days |
3 mths |
*It is still possible to apply for a preliminary permit or quick job start, which will be processed on the spot in SIRI's branch offices.
**Cases which require asking the regional labour market councils to assess your salary and terms of employment have a service goal of three months. SIRI expects to meet this service goal by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2021.
***The figures regarding the Pay Limit Scheme do not include a number of particularly complicated cases, mostly regarding restaurants, which require stricter case processing. SIRI expects longer case processing times for these cases.
Reasons for increased case processing timesFor an extended period in 2020, COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible to record biometrics (fingerprints and photo) in SIRIs branch offices or at Danish diplomatic missions abroad. Furthermore, SIRI has granted applicants more time to have biometrics recorded (four weeks instead of two, as a general rule). In certain countries it is still not possible to have your biometrics recorded, so in certain cases applicants are granted extra time to do this. This has delayed case processing as SIRI cannot complete the processing of a case before receiving the biometric data. Furthermore, SIRI has tightened case processing and control in several areas, partly due to changes in legislation. This includes stricter requirements regarding foreign documents, stricter assessment of applicants' actual salary and terms of employment in Denmark, along with carrying out interviews with applicants. This has further delayed case processing for a number of case types. |
