Norway Visa - Definitive Guide

For people who are not a national of the Schengen countries or countries with visa exemption agreement with Norway, a permit is necessary to enter the country. Issued in multiple categories, this is known as the Norway visa. Based on the entry type, these can be available as a single-entry, double-entry, or even multiple-entries. Everyone from India would require a visa. However, official and diplomatic passport holders are free to enter Norway from India. 

The application for the Norway visa from India is done online. However, the submission of the application is to be done offline, in person at a Visa Application Center (VAC). Before starting the online visa application for Norway from India, you must ensure that you are eligible for the particular type of the permit. After this, you may proceed to make the application as follows - 

1. The first step is to gather all the documents you need for the process. Ensure that you get the specific documents as per the type of the visa. 
2. Visit the online portal of the Norway visa online application and create an account. 
3. Fill in the Norway Schengen visa application form online.
4. Proceed to pay the fees online. 
5. After successfully submitting, you will receive a confirmation cover letter on your email. Take a print out of this and sign it. 
6. You must now book an appointment for the application submission at a VAC. 
7. With the cover letter and the documents, visit the respective VAC for the appointment.
8. You will have to submit your biometrics at the VAC as well. 

If you are applying for the C visa, you will also have to submit a fully filled out C category questionnaire. 

Note that if you have submitted your biometrics for a Schengen permit in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. Data from your previous application will be copied and used again. Also, ensure that you submit only genuine documents and correct information. Failure to do so can lead to a Schengen visa rejection. 

Based on the purpose of the visit and the length of the stay duration, the Norwegian permit can be classified as follows - 

• Visitor’s Visa (C type) - This is more commonly known as the short term permit or the Norway Schengen visa and is issued for a stay duration of maximum up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Based on the purpose of the visit, they can further be classified as below - 
  1. Tourist - This category is issued for people travelling to the country to take part in tourism.
  2. Business - This permit is used for people entering the country to engage in business-related activities. 
  3. Family and friends - Sometimes simply called the Visitor visa, this type is issued for people entering Norway to meet their family members or friends living in the country. 
• Entry visa (D type) - This is issued for people who have to enter Norway for a duration of longer than 90 days. However, once you enter with a D permit, you will have to immediately apply for the resident permit. 

The following are the list of documents you will need to apply for the Norwegian permit. However, these are the only general. For the specific documents for each category, kindly visit their individual page. 

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should not be older than 10 years.
  3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.

• Printed out a cover letter from the online application portal
• Fully filled C category questionnaire
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros

• Proof of occupation - 

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

• Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription glasses
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time taken to process the Norwegian application is dependent on the type of the permit, the number of entries, the validity, the volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. Normally, it takes around 15 working days to process, excluding the transit time. However, it can take up to 30 days in certain cases, and even 60 days in extreme conditions. As a result, you must apply well in advance. 

The Norway Schengen visa fees for Indian citizens depend on the visa category, the biometric charges, delivery fees, as well as other service charges levied by the VAC. It can also vary upon the currency exchange rates. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application.

You can perform the Norway visa status check online by visiting https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-Passporttracking/Track and entering your application reference number and date of birth. You can also check your Norway visa application status by contacting your travel agency and have them check it for you.

The application for a Norwegian permit has to be done on the online portal. The submission is done at a VAC located across India. However, the processing is done by the Norwegian embassy in New Delhi. The VAC has no influence over the processing of the application.