Norway Visa
Norway is the westernmost, northernmost—and in fact the easternmost—of the three Scandinavian countries. Norway is bordered by Finland and Russia to the north-east, and the Skagerrak strait to the south, with Denmark on the other side. Norway has an extensive coastline, facing the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea.
Nationals of Schengen states can stay in Norway for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. This also applies to foreign nationals who have residence permits in one of the Schengen states.
If you are exempt from the visa requirement for entering Norway, you can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days during a period of 180 days. This means that after a 90-day stay, you cannot return to the Schengen area until a further 90 days have passed. It is your responsibility to comply with this requirement.
All countries and territories that are members of the Schengen acquis, of the EU or of EFTA. Positive visa list of countries (also known as White Schengen List) from whose citizens no visa is required to enter the territory of the EU member states for a period of maximum 90 days.
TYPES OF NORWAY VISA
Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in Norway permanently, you will have to apply for a different Norway Schengen Visa, accordingly.
Tourist visa –for those travellers looking to visit Norway for purpose of tourism.
A business visa is given to those who are planning to visit Norway for engaging in temporary work or business.
Visa for medical treatment –for people seek better medical treatment or specialized treatment for a disease that cannot be treated in their own country.
Visa for cultural activities, sports or film crew – This is a special visa given to applicants who want to travel to Norway to participate in cultural, film or sporting events.
Student visa – applicants who are intending to undertaking a recognised course of study in Norway should apply for Student visa.
Transit visa –a transit visa is required if there is a scheduled layover of a few hours in Norway before heading to your destination.
Official visit visa – If your travel is related to attending intergovernmental meetings, consultations, negotiations or events, you will need to apply for a special official visit visa.
NORWAY SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS
General required documents for a Norway Visa Application:
- Completed application form
- 2 recent passport format photos
- A copy of your return-ticket reservation.
- Travel Insurance
- A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Norway and itinerary
- Flight Reservation
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of civil status
- Means of subsistence
Depending on the purposes of stay, some additional documents may be required as follow:
Norway Tourist/Visitor Visa:
Invitation letter from your family or friends in Norway with the address and phone number – if applicable
Bank statement of the last 6 months
Passport copies
Norway Visa for Business Purposes:
Invitation letter from the Norwegian company
A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.
Norway Visa for Medical Purposes:
A local medical report
A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Norway
Payment receipt of medical fees
Norway Visa for Culture, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:
Invitation letter
Names of the applicants (crew members)
Duration of stay
Travel itinerary
Norway Visa for Members of Official Delegations:
The official invitation copy
Identity of applicant
Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
Duration of stay
Place of accommodation
Norway Visa for Studying purposes:
An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
Certificate of completion or courses attended
Financial sustenance
HOW TO APPLY FOR A NORWAY VISA
The way to apply for Norway visa is the same as other schengen visa country, to apply for Norway visa just follow these steps:
Schedule your appointment for VFS
Prepare the required documents for your application
Submit your application at VFS on your appointment date: The process usually goes like this: Arrival and waiting period, Submission of documents, Biometrics, Visa payment
Wait for the results of your Schengen Visa application
VISA PROCESSING TIME
The processing time for a Schengen visa to Norway is up 15 days from the date the application is received at the Embassy. It may take longer depending on the type of visa.
NORWAY VISA APPLICATION FORM
All applicants must download the visa application form, fill in the required details and submit it with mandatory documents to start the process for a Norway visa.
You can download Norway visa application form from internet or get directly from the embassy or consulate. It is recommended to contact nearest Norway embassy or consulate before starting prepare all required documents for application process.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Do I have to come in person or can I send the application to the Norway Visa Application Centre?
All applicants including children/infants travelling must book an appointment in advance and be present at the Norwegian Visa Application Center on the scheduled date and time.
2. What is the application procedure at the Norway Visa Application Centre?
Applicants will be allowed to enter the Norwegian Visa Application Center only if they have scheduled appointment. Please make sure you have prepared the documents properly in the same order as on the checklists posted on the Embassy’s web site. It is important to print out the Cover Letter from the Application Portal, and attach a picture to it.
Upon your arrival at the Norwegian Visa Application Center, our officers at the counter will collect your visa application documents to check for completion as well as your passport. You will be issued a receipt for the application fees paid as an acknowledgement for the submission of visa application. (Visa fees must be paid online only, when filling out the online application form). The last step is biometric data collection which will be done in the Norwegian Visa Application Center.
3. How do I pay my visa fees?
The visa fees must be paid online with debit or credit card during the registration process.
4. How many days can I stay in Norway?
A visitor’s visa allows you to stay in Norway or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days over a period of 180 days.
5. How early can I apply?
Applicants are free to apply up to 90 days prior to their date of travel. We recommend that you apply at least 3 weeks prior to your date of travel to accommodate any unforeseen processing delays.
6. If I get visa from Norway, can I go to England?
If you are planning to visit countries outside Schengen (i.e. UK, Turkey, Croatia are the most common) you need to apply for a multiple entry visa. And if you are planning to return to Schengen, you will need to show tickets to other countries, and might have to apply for separate visas to those countries outside of Schengen.
7. If I would like to apply for a multiple entry Schengen visa to Norway, what should I do?
Please prepare a short explanation in a letter format explaining why you require multiple entries and submit all the supporting documents along with your application form on your appointment date.