norway visitor visa

Norway Visitor Visa - Definitive Guide

With a high standard of living, exquisite natural beauty, low taxation, and beautiful weather Norway attracts people like no other. As a result, it is quite common that you’d have a family member or friend living in the country. With the Norway visitor visa, you can now enter the country.

What is Norway Visitor Visa?

Formally known as the ‘Friends and family visit visa’, this Schengen permit is required by anyone who will need a permit to enter Norway. Being a Schengen C category, nationals of other Schengen nations and from the visa-exempt nations do not require a permit. The visitor permit is issued for a maximum stay duration of 90 days in the 180-day period. However, the validity can be anything up to 1 year.

How to Apply for Norway Visitor Visa?

The application for the Norway visitor visa for Indians is done online. However, the submission of the application must be done offline at a Norway Visa Application Center (VAC) located across the country. Before starting the application, you must check the eligibility conditions for the permit. After this, you can proceed to make the application as follows - 

  1. The first step is to gather all the documents you need for the visit visa.
  2. Visit the online portal of the Norway visa application, and register an account. 
  3. Login to the portal and fill in the application form. You will have to mention your purpose of visit as ‘family/friend visit’. 
  4. Proceed to pay the fees online. 
  5. After this, you will receive a cover letter on your registered email. Take a print out of this and sign it. 
  6. You must now proceed to book an appointment for the application submission at a VAC. 
  7. Visit the respective VAC for the appointment, along with your cover letter, and the documents. 
  8. You will also have to submit your biometrics at the VAC as well. 

Please note that if you have submitted your biometrics for a Schengen visa in the past 59 months, you do not have to submit them again. Biometric data from your previous Schengen application will be copied and used. In this case, you may send the application via a third party as long as they carry a personal ID and an authorization letter signed by you. Also, ensure that you submit only genuine documents and true information. If you submit fake documents and wrong information, you may face a Schengen visa rejection.

Eligibility for Norway Schengen Visitor Visa

To be able to apply for the Schengen visitor permit, you must meet the following conditions -

  • You must be living in the country you are lodging the application. If you are residing in a residence permit in a foreign country, you can apply it to the respective embassy.
  • You must possess a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of the intended journey.
  • Your primary motive of the visit must be to meet your relatives or friends living in Norway, and you must be invited by them.
  • You must possess enough funds to cover your expenses during the stay in the country.
  • You must apply for the permit only if Norway -
    1. Is your only destination, or
    2. Is one of your multiple Schengen destinations -  in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or
    3. Is your port of entry. 

Documents Required for Norway Visitor Visa

As per the requirements, the following are the list of documents required for the application - 

  • A valid passport- 
    1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
    2. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
    3. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
  • Printed out the cover letter from the online application 
  • Printed out a fully filled C category questionnaire
  • Letter of invitation from the family member or friend stating the purpose of your visit and the relationship with you. 
  • If visiting family, a document of proof of relationship
  • Travel itinerary/documents - 
    1. A detailed travel itinerary 
    2. Round trip flight booking
    3. Proof of accommodation 
  • Medical travel insurance coverage of 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.

Photo Specification for Norway Visitor Visa

  • 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

Processing Time for Norway Visitor visa

The time taken to process the ‘Norwegian family/friend visit visa’ depends on several factors such as the number of entries, the validity of the permit, the volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travelling history. For example, if you have possessed a Schengen, UK, US, Australia, or Canadian visas in the past, the embassy will take less time in processing your application. Normally, it takes around 15 working days to process the application. However, in certain cases, it may take 30 working days, and in extreme cases, this can even take up to 60 days. As a result, it is suggested that you apply for it well in advance of the date of travel. 

Norway Visitor Visa Fees

The total fees for the process include the application fees, the biometric charges, as well as any other service charges levied by the VAC. the application fees can also vary upon the foreign currency rates. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application.

Entry Stay Duration Validity Fees
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 8720.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 8720.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 6830.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 8720.0
Multiple entry Normal 90 days 3 months 8720.0

After Submission

Once you have submitted the visitor application successfully, it will be forwarded to the embassy for processing. Even though you have submitted the application at a VAC, the processing is totally done by the embassy only. The VAC has no influence whatsoever in this. If your permit is approved, you can collect it directly from the VAC, or have them deliver it to you for an extra delivery charge. Note that you should not buy the tickets until you get the visa.

How to Check Visa Status?

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

When you have this visa

Once you have been approved the visa, and you have received it, you must keep in mind the following key points to ensure that you have a pleasant stay. 

  • Be aware of the expiry date, duration of stay, as well as the number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker. Your journey must be in accordance with these. 
  • Carry all the travel documents before travelling. If you do not possess them, you will be denied entry. 
  • Ensure that you travel to Norway within 6 months of the issue date, or as mentioned in the visa sticker. After this date, your permit will become invalid and you will not be able to enter the country. 
  • While you are travelling within the country, carry a copy of your travel documents with you. 
  • While you are on a visitor permit, you cannot work on a payroll of a Norwegian company or establishment. You may, however, take part in unpaid volunteer or charity work. 
  • You will not be able to extend the visitor visa under any normal conditions.
  • You can move within the Schengen zone with this permit. And depending on your entry type, you may enter the Schengen as many numbers of times as allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Extend My Norway Schengen Visitor Visa?

As the permit issued by Norway is the Schengen category, they are non-extendable in normal conditions. Nevertheless, in certain extreme cases such as a Force Majeure or humanitarian reasons that prevent you from entering your home country, you may be granted an extension. If you are not, you must leave the country before expiry. 

After Expiring My Norway Visitor Visa, How Long Can I Stay?

Since the permit is non-extendable, you are not permitted to stay back after the period. As per the laws, you must leave the country before the expiry date. Staying back after this period is considered as an offence and can get you deported, and in certain cases, be banned from entering the Schengen region itself.

What is the Medical Test for Norway Schengen Visitor Visa?

Being a sub-type of the Schengen C category, there are no mandatory medical test requirements. However, you are expected to have medical travel insurance covering at least 30000 Euros. Regardless, it is suggested that you get a medical checkup done before travelling to a foreign nation.

Can I convert My Norway Schengen Visitor Visa into a Work permit?

It is not permitted or possible to convert the Schengen visitor permit into a work permit. Also, you are not allowed to do paid work while on this permit. You may, however, take part in unpaid voluntary work. If you do require a work permit, you must apply for it once you are back in your home country. 

How many days before the date of travel must I apply for the visitor permit?

Considering the fact that normally it takes around 15 working days to get your visa excluding the transit time, it is recommended to apply at least 3 weeks before the date of travel. However, you must not make the application more than 3 months before the travel date. 

Can I Travel to other Schengen or European Countries on a Norway Visitor Visa?

Yes, you are definitely allowed to visit other Schengen countries with a Norwegian visitor visa. However, possessing this permit is not an automatic ground for entry. You will still have to meet the individual entry requirements. As far as European countries are concerned, you may enter only the ones that are also a part of the Schengen agreement. Nevertheless, there are a few non-Schengen countries such as Croatia in Europe that allow you to enter with a Schengen. 

 

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