Entering Norway or any other Schengen country
All foreign nationals from countries outside the Schengen territory who wish to enter Norway must have a valid passport. Nationals of countries within the Schengen territory must have a valid passport or other identity officially recognised as a valid travel document within the Schengen territory. Only Nordic nationals travelling in any Nordic countries are exempted from this passport requirement. Foreign nationals from a number of countries outside the Schengen territory who wish to visit more than one Schengen country, but intend to spend the longest
period of time in Norway or for whom Norway is the first country of entry into the Schengen territory, must have visa affixed to their passport by a Norwegian foreign mission or foreign mission of other Schengen country representing Norway.
The requirements for processing a visa to visit Norway
You must have a valid passport or other approved travel document allowing you to cross the external Schengen border. There must be a space in the travel document for a visa sticker. The passport or travel document must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of time for which you are applying for a visa.
You must be able to return lawfully to your country of origin, or another country for which you have a residence permit. You must also intend to leave the Schengen area when your visa expires. If the authorities have reason to believe that you intend to remain in the Schengen area longer than the period of time indicated in your visa application, your application may be refused.
You must have enough money to cover your travel costs to and from the Schengen area, and to pay for your stay in the area. In certain cases, it may be enough if you obtain a guarantee, approved by the authorities, that the person you are intending to visit will cover the cost of your board and lodging. You may be stopped at the border if you cannot prove that you have enough money or an approved guarantee.
You must also show that you are in posession of a travel insurance valid in all Schengen countries covering illness / repatriation up to Euro 30.000,-.
You must not be registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) as an alien who is to be refused entry into Schengen territory.
Unless other arrangments are made wiht the Norwegian Embassy, you must appear in person and bring valid travel documents.
Duration and contents of a visitor's visa
A visitor's visa is valid for entry and a stay during the period of time stipulated in the visa. You may apply for a maximum stay of three months. If you intend to stay within the Schengen area for more than three months, or if you intend to work in Norway, you must in most cases first apply for a residence or work permit.
A visitor's visa generally permits you to enter Norway only once. In special cases a visa may be issued for multiple entries. You may spend up to three months in the Schengen area within a period of six months, but never longer than the period of time/ number of days specified on your visa-sticker.
How to apply for a visitor's visa
You may apply for a Schengen visa at a Norwegian foreign service mission if Norway is your main destination within the Schengen area. If you do not have a main destination, you must apply for a visa at the foreign service mission of the Schengen country where the initial entry is to take place.
Unless you make other arrangements with the foreign service mission, you must appear in person and bring your valid travel document.
Your application must be submitted on a special form. The form is also available on http://www.udi.no/templates/PageURL.aspx?id=7524 and from the Norwegian foreign service mission (embassy/ consulate general) in the country where you are living. The form must be filled in completely and correctly, signed by the applicant and be accompanied by a photograph of the applicant.
When you have submitted your application, a stamp will be affixed to your passport stating that you have applied for a visa. If your visa is granted, a visa sticker will be affixed over this stamp.
How applications for visitor's visa are processed
The foreign service mission is responsible for obtaining all the information needed to decide whether or not a visitor's visa may be granted. In this context the Schengen Information System (SIS) will be checked to ascertain whether you are to be refused entry into Schengen territory .
If you are not a national of the country from which you are applying for a visitor's visa, you must be able to document that you have permission to stay in that country.
An application for a visitor's visa is processed in one of the following ways:
The application is processed at the foreign service mission itself
You will normally receive a reply within about one week, but this depends to some extent on how busy the mission is at the time. If the foreign service mission rejects your application, you may appeal to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. You must send your appeal through the foreign service mission.
The application is processed by the Directorate of Immigration
The foreign service mission sends the application to the Directorate of Immigration in Norway. The foreign service mission will be informed of the outcome by the Directorate, and will pass this information on to you. It will normally take from four months upwards before you receive a reply. If the Directorate of Immigration rejects your application, you may appeal the decision. Your appeal must be sent through the foreign service mission, which will also help you lodge your appeal.
What happens when a visitor's visa is issued
A visa is issued by affixing a visa sticker either in your passport or in an officially approved identity document, or by means of a special document.
To obtain a visa, you must normally pay a fee.
The Embassy may ask for additional information if they find it necessary.
A visitor's visa is valid for a maximum of three months. If you intend to stay within the Schengen area for more than three months, or if you intend to work in Norway, you must in m most cases first apply for a residence or work permit.
Visa Application Forms and Additional information
For further information please contact the Norwegian Embassy or:
Utlendingsdirektoratet
(The Directorate of Immigration)
P.O. Box 8108 Dep.
N-0032 Oslo
Tel.:+ 47 23 35 15 00
E-mail: udi@udi.no
For a Visa Application Form, you can either access the UDI homepage, or click HERE.