In order to be granted a visa, the applicant must meet certain conditions and provide certain documents. If you already have a visa and you wish to extend the validity period of the visa, separate rules apply.
Where do I apply?
A visa application must be made on the form for the purpose, and submitted in person to the nearest Norwegian foreign service mission. If there is no Norwegian foreign service mission in the country, another Schengen country may represent Norway. This country will then process the application on behalf of Norway.
Websites for some Norwegian foreign service missions
If you plan to visit several Schengen countries over the course of one trip, you must submit your visa application to the embassy of the country where you will be spending the most time. If you will be visiting several Schengen countries for equal periods of time, you must submit your visa application to the first country that you will be visiting.
What must the application include?
The requirement for documentation varies from country to country, and may change over time. You should therefore check what requirements currently apply by contacting the Norwegian foreign service mission in the country from which you are applying.
As a rule, in addition to a completed application form you must include:
- Passport photo/other photo which meets the set requirements
- Copy of all used pages in your passport
- Written invitation from Norwegian reference person
- Documentation of relationship/kinship (if the reference person is a relative)
- Documentation of own funds for the stay or a guarantee declaration issued by the reference person
- A case processing fee is payable for visa applications, whatever the outcome. The fee must be paid when you submit your application.
- Documentation of valid travel and medical insurance (minimum cover of EUR 30,000) must be shown before the visa can be issued
Separate rules apply for foreign nationals who require a visa and who are covered by the EEA Agreement or the EFTA Convention.
As a main rule, it is sufficient that copies of the documents are sent with the application. However, you have to produce the original documents when you hand in your application.
All documents attached to the application have to be translated into English or Norwegian.
Who makes the decision about the application?
Many Norwegian foreign service missions can decide whether to issue a visa, and most visa applications are processed at foreign service missions. In certain cases, an application may be sent to Norway for processing by the UDI. This applies in cases where:
- The foreign service mission has rejected the application and an appeal has been submitted against the decision
- The foreign service mission does not have the authority to decide on the case
- The applicant is a refugee, is stateless or there is some doubt about his/her citizenship
- The applicant has been expelled from Norway or another Nordic country, or is registered in SIS (Schengen Information System) as being denied entry into one or more Schengen countries
- The foreign service mission has doubts and wishes the case to be processed by the UDI
- A national visitor’s visa has been applied for
How long will it take to process my visa application?
If your application is processed by the foreign service mission, it will normally take around two to three weeks for you to get a decision. This depends on the workload at the foreign service mission. Please enquire about processing times where you submit your application.
If the application is forwarded to the UDI in Norway, the processing time will be longer. For an overview of average processing times for the various types of permit, visit www.udi.no/caseprocessingtime, or contact the Information Service (OTS) by e-mail or by calling (+ 47) 23 35 16 00.
We urge everyone to allow plenty of time for their application. In order to avoid unnecessary case processing delays, it is important to take care when completing the application form and to include all the requested documentation.
Conditions for obtaining a visa
Different conditions apply for the different types of visa. More information can be found on the page What type of visa should I apply for?
Can I appeal against a decision?
If your application for a visa is rejected, you may appeal against this decision. If the foreign service mission has rejected your visa application, an appeal may be submitted to the foreign service mission within three weeks. The foreign service mission can either reverse its decision or forward the appeal to the UDI. The UDI will then make the final decision as to whether or not a visa shall be granted.
In cases when the first-instance decision is made by the UDI, the appeal should be submitted to the foreign service mission. Unless the UDI reverses its decision and issues a visa, for instance because of new information or new documents, it is the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) that will make the final decision regarding the appeal.
The appeal must be submitted by the applicant in person, or by a person representing the applicant under a written power of attorney from the applicant. The processing of the appeal is free of charge.
Overview of what is taken into account when assessing visa applications
How do I apply for a visa extension?
Extension of a visa can only be given in exceptional cases. The visa can be extended such that the period of residence in the Schengen area becomes 90 days in the course of the last 180 days.
In order to be granted an extension of the validity period for a visa, new and unforeseen circumstances must have arisen after the original visa was issued.
“New circumstances” may be that the applicant has suffered an illness, that an event which the applicant was to take part in has been postponed/extended, or any other external circumstance which means that the applicant must change his/her original plans. Under the current guidelines, an application for a visa extension cannot be granted unless force majeure, humanitarian grounds or substantial professional or personal grounds exist. An extension will also not be granted if the purpose of the visit to Norway has changed. Norway is bound by the guidelines for visa extensions as set out in the Schengen regulatory framework.
An application for a visa extension must be submitted to the police. The police will provide you with the appropriate application form. You must take your passport with you when submitting the application. Along with the application, you must explain in writing the grounds for your application, and any documentation of the new circumstances which have arisen. In certain cases, the police may issue a visa extension. However, where there is any doubt that the conditions have been met or where there is cause for rejection, the application is forwarded to the UDI for processing. It is a condition of a visa extension that the applicant has travel insurance valid for the entire period of the visa extension being applied for.
You may appeal against a rejection of an application for a visa extension. The appeal must be submitted to the police immediately after receiving the rejection. The appeal will be sent to the UDI for new consideration, and may be forwarded to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) for processing if the UDI does not reverse its decision. You are also entitled to apply for deferred implementation in order to be able to stay in Norway while your appeal is being processed.
Any questions?
If you are still unsure about how to apply for a visa for Norway, you can contact your nearest Norwegian foreign service mission, or The Information Service (OTS).
