How to apply for a Norway Schengen visa: step-by-step process

Exploring Norway often requires a specific entry permit called the Norway Schengen visa. This article will help you understand the Norway Schengen visa types, application process, required documents, and other essential details to ensure a comfortable journey to Norway and the Schengen Area.

What is a Norway Schengen Visa

A Norway Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows its holder to enter Norway and stay there for up to 90 days within 180 days for purposes like tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and other short-term reasons.

Since Norway is a member of the Schengen Area, a Schengen visa issued by Norway also allows the visa holder to travel to all 29 Schengen countries.

A Schengen visa is for short-term stays and does not allow for long-term residence or employment in the Schengen Area. If you intend to stay in Norway or another Schengen country for more than 90 days, you may need to apply for a different visa or residence permit.

Who needs a Schengen visa for Norway

Whether or not you need a visa to visit Norway depends on your nationality. Citizens of certain countries do not need a Schengen visa to enter Norway or other Schengen countries for short stays up to 90 days within six months. These visa-exempt countries include:

• Schengen countries:
• EU and EEA member states;
• countries that signed a visa agreement with the Schengen area, like the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others.

Citizens of countries that are not visa exempt for the Schengen Area will generally need to apply for a Schengen visa in advance.

Norway Schengen visa types

Depending on the purpose of your visit, there are different types of Schengen visas you can apply for when planning to visit Norway. Here are the primary types:

Tourist visa. This type of visa is for individuals planning to visit Norway for sightseeing or leisure purposes.

Business visa. You should apply for this visa if you travel to Norway for business meetings, conferences, or negotiations. 

Medical treatment visa. It is granted to individuals seeking medical treatment in Norway.

Student visa. It is suitable for studying in Norway for less than 90 days, e.g. for a short course or workshop. For longer-term studies, you will have to apply for a residence permit.

Work visa. For short-term business-related activities or work-related tasks in Norway, you may need a work Schengen visa. For longer-term employment, you will have to apply for a residence permit.

Airport transit visa. A transit visa is essential for nationals from certain countries who need to transit through the international zone of Norwegian airports without entering the Schengen area.

Cultural, sports, or religious event visa. Also known as a cultural visa, it is granted to participants in cultural events, sports competitions, or religious events and ceremonies in Norway.

Official visit visa. This entry permit is issued to members of official delegations coming to Norway for official state purposes, such as diplomatic meetings, negotiations, and others.

Visa for visiting friends and family. To visit family members or friends who are residents in Norway, you can apply for a visitor visa. You may need to provide an invitation letter from your host in Norway as part of your application.

Documents required for a Norwegian Schengen visa

The first crucial step to start your Norway Schengen visa application is gathering all the necessary documents. Here is a checklist of required documents:

• valid passport;
• cover letter;
• proof of accommodation;
• evidence of sufficient funds, like bank statements;
• flight itinerary;
• travel medical insurance;
• proof of visa fee payment;
• two recent passport-type photos;
• completed Norway Schengen visa application form.

Depending on your employment status, you may also need to provide the following:

• employment contract or proof of self-employment;
• current bank statement;
• proof of enrollment for students;
• no objection letter from school or university for students.

Travel purpose documentation:

• tourist — tourist itinerary or a detailed plan of your activities in Norway;
• business — an invitation letter from a Norwegian company, details about the business activities;
• visiting family or friends — an invitation letter from your host in Norway;
• cultural, sports, or religious event — invitation or details from the event organisers;
• medical treatment — a letter from the medical institution in Norway and details about the treatment.

If travelling with a minor, additional documents like birth certificates, consent from parents or guardians, and potentially other specific documents might be required.

However, it would help if you always double-checked with the Norwegian consulate or visa application centre for any additional documents that may be required in your particular case.

Where to apply for a Norway visa?

Norwegian embassy or consulate. You can apply at the Norwegian embassy or consulate in your home country or in a country where you have legal residence.

Visa application centres. Norway has outsourced visa application submissions to third-party visa application centres in many countries.

Embassy or consulate of another Schengen country. In some locations where Norway does not have a diplomatic mission, another Schengen country represents Norway for visa purposes.

The cost of applying for Norway Schengen Visa

The standard fee for a Norway Schengen Visa is €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6-12. Children under six are generally exempt from the fee. Additional service fees may also be charged at a visa application centre.

Several other categories of applicants may be exempt from the visa fee or qualify for a reduced fee, such as:

• students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for study or educational training;
• researchers travelling to Norway for scientific research purposes;
• representatives of non-governmental organisations under 25 years old participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural, or educational events;
• certain family members of EU or EEA nationals;
• holders of diplomatic or service passports travelling for official purposes.

Norway Schengen visa processing time

Typically, the processing time for a Schengen visa application for Norway is around 15 calendar days from the day the consulate receives the application. In some cases, it can extend to 30 calendar days. This can happen if documents are missing, further verification, or an interview is required.

In highly exceptional cases, where further scrutiny is required, the processing time can be extended up to 60 calendar days. Applying at least 3—6 weeks before your intended travel date is recommended. This way, you can save time in case of unexpected delays or requests for additional documentation.

During peak travel seasons, there might be a higher volume of applications, which can extend processing times. If you plan to travel during such a period, applying even earlier is advisable.

How to extend a Norway Schengen visa

Extending a Norway Schengen visa is generally only possible under exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure, humanitarian reasons, or serious personal reasons. If you believe you have valid reasons for an extension, go to the nearest police station that handles immigration matters. There, you can submit documents that support your reason for requesting an extension. 

There might be an application fee associated with the visa extension. Your application will be reviewed, and a decision will be made based on your circumstances and the evidence you have provided. If you overstay without a valid reason or without getting an extension, you risk being fined, deported, or even banned from re-entering the Schengen Area in the future.

Major points about Norway Schengen visa

1. A Norway Schengen visa allows short-term stays of up to 90 days in 180 days in Norway and other Schengen countries for tourism, business, visiting family, and other purposes.
2. Citizens from Schengen, EU, EEA countries, and nations with visa agreements with Schengen do not require a visa for short stays.
3. Key documents include a completed application form, passport photos, valid passport, medical insurance, proof of sufficient funds, travel itinerary, and accommodation details.
4. The application process entails document preparation, scheduling an appointment with the Norwegian embassy, consulate, or visa centre, submitting the application, paying the fee, awaiting a decision, and collecting the visa once approved.
5. Norway Schengen visa extensions are granted under exceptional circumstances. Overstays without valid reasons or extensions can lead to penalties or bans.

Frequently Asked Questions