Visitor's visa
A visitor's visa allows you to stay in Norway or other countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days over a period of 180 days.
Citizens of India, Bhutan and Nepal must apply for a visitor’s visa to Norway and/or Schengen.
If you plan to visit more than one Schengen country in the course of one trip, or if you plan several separate trips within a period of two months, you must submit your application to the embassy or consulate of the country that is your main destination based on the length of your stay, or the purpose of stay.
If you plan to visit several Schengen countries and the main destination cannot be determined, you must submit your application to the embassy or consulate of the country that is your first point of entry to the Schengen area.
Other categories:
- For Nepal, Norway is handling visa applications on behalf of Iceland. If you are travelling to Iceland, you are to follow the same process as if you were to apply for a visa to Norway. If you are applying for a residence permit to Iceland, please contact the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration, as Norway does not handle residence permits on their behalf.
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For Sri Lanka, Norway is handling visa applications on behalf of Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. If you are travelling to any of these countries, you are to follow the same process as If you were to apply for a visa to Norway
- Indian Diplomatic passport holders who are travelling to Norway in an official capacity are exempted from visa.
Please note that case processing time is usually 15 working days (from the date of receipt of application at the Embassy). During high season or surges cases may take longer to process. In special circumstances it can take up to 45 working days. Read our tips for a smooth and fast application process here!
More information on all visa categories can be found under section 2 "Gather the necessary documentation".
SCHENGEN AREABefore you apply
- You should apply well in advance and as a rule no later than 15 days before you plan to travel. Due to the courier sending of documents in some countries, we recommend that you apply at least 4 weeks prior to your planned departure.
- You may submit your application up to six months before your planned departure, or up to nine months for seafarers.
- We recommend that you do not buy your ticket until a visa has been granted.
- You must register your application online before you can hand in the required documentation.
- When you hand in your application, you will be asked to provide fingerprints, unless your fingerprints have been collected within the last 59 months.
In order to apply for a visa from India, you must either be a citizen of India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Maldives or legally reside in one of these countries.
If you do not reside in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Maldives you must provide a justification for lodging the application from India.
If you are two (2) or more people travelling as tourists to Norway, it is highly recommended that you apply as a group in order to save time. Read more here.
It is possible to use the assistance of a travel agency. Please note that agencies have no decision making authority or influence on case assessments. A representative, e.g. a travel agency, can apply on behalf of an applicant if they have a written consent from the applicant
Gather the necessary documentation
The checklist gives an overview of the documents you need to hand in to start the application process.
Are you travelling to Norway/ Schengen as a group? Then you may apply all together.
Save time by group registration!
If you are travelling as a group of 2 or more people it is highly recommended that you apply as a group. You can register applications for a maximum of 16 people at a time on Application Portal Norway under "visa group".
You can also apply for group visa for family and business. Remember to bring all documents mentioned in the checklists.
How to book a group appointment?
Please contact VFS Global directly to book a group appointment:
Telephone:
India : +91 22 67866021
Bhutan: +975 2 33 8383
Nepal: 1800910119, +9779824903641
Email:
India and Bhutan: info.norwayin@vfshelpline.com
Nepal: info.nwnp@vfshelpline.com
Remember that according to VIS requirements all applicants have to meet personally to submit biometrics (fingerprints and photo). More information on VIS requirements.
Therefore, please make sure that the whole group can go to the same VFS visa application centre in order to submit their documents and provide their fingerprints the same day.
If a travel agency is helping you with the visa process, the travel agency should make sure that:
- The applicant resides in India/Bhutan/Nepal
- The applicant signs his/her own application/- cover letter and is made aware of the fact that this is his/her approval that the given information is correct
- When registering the applications through the Application Portal, the specific contact details of every applicant are included
Additionally, the travel agency must provide the following documents:
- The travel agency should include a front letter giving details concerning the trip (travel route, days in hotel etc.)
- There should be a confirmed booking from the hotels (including name and date of birth of the applicant).
- The travel agency should confirm whether they have received payment for the trip.
All applicants must submit the required documents according to the Visa Document checklist. Every applicant will need to submit all the documents required and fill out the checklist, or the application may be rejected.
Please be informed that the Embassy are aware of Visa/Travel agents that may charge very high fees for their services and may not always be trustwothy. Visa/Travel agents are in no way connected to the Embassy and VFS Global Visa Application Centre, and they have no influence over the outcome of an application.
Applicants may in certain cases be granted a visa with multiple entries.
If only one entry is required and you have not had a former trip to Norway or/ and Schengen, we encourage you to apply for a "single entry" visa. Be aware that applying for a "multi entry" visa when it is not necessary, may lead to a partially rejected application.
Multiple entry visas with maximum 90 days validity:
A Schengen visa is generally issued for a single entry. If the applicant plans to travel outside the Schengen area and return within the period of the visa, the box for “Two entries” or “Multiple entries” must be ticked off in the visa application form. The Embassy will then assess if there is a genuine need for a multiple entry visa.
The application must be accompanied by an explanation of why two or more entries are required.
Multiple entry visas with up to one year validity:
A multiple entry visa with a validity of up to one year may in certain cases be granted by the Embassy. For the Embassy to grant such a multiple entry visa all the general requirements for a regular Schengen visa must be fulfilled (valid passport, flight booking, documentation of sufficient funds, travel medical insurance etc.).
The applicant must also:
- Document previous frequent trips to Norway or other Schengen countries
- Have previously complied with the visa regulations by leaving the Schengen area within the expiry of the visa
- Document a genuine future need for multiple entries to Norway during a one year period
Categories of applicants who may be granted multiple entry visas are:
- Bona fide business partners of Norwegian companies that frequently visit Norway
- Spouses, co-habitants and children of Norwegian citizens living in India/Bhutan/Nepal
- Spouses, co-habitants and children of persons with a valid work/- residence permit in Norway
- Foreign officials who are to attend meetings in Norway (official meetings)
- Persons who are to participate in scientific, cultural or sports-related official programs
The requirement in these cases is that the applicant submits a travel medical insurance valid for the first trip, and make sure to hold a valid travel medical insurance also for the subsequent visits. Please be informed that even with a one-year multiple-entry visa, the applicant cannot stay in the Schengen area more than 90 days within any 180 day period.
An applicant who has been granted a multiple entry visa with a validity of up to 12 months and has complied with the visa regulations, may then apply for a multiple entry visa for two or three years, provided that the need for such a visa is documented. Having been granted a multiple visa for three years, an applicant may then apply for a maximum of five years.
Are you a holder of a Diplomatic passport and travelling to Norway?
1) Indian Diplomatic passport holders who are travelling to Norway in an official capacity
These applicants are exempted from visa. This is because Norway and India has signed and effectuated an agreement on the exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports. However, this only applies for travelling between Norway and India.
Please be aware that if an Indian Diplomatic passport holder intends to visit other Schengen countries as well as travel to Norway, he or she must apply for a Schengen visa from that mission. This also applies if the diplomatic passport holder intends to transfer to Norway through a Schengen country. The Diplomatic passport holder must get a Schengen visa from that country unless the country has signed a similar agreement with India.
2) Indian Diplomatic passport holders who are travelling to Norway to be posted for posting at an Embassy in Oslo
These applicants are requested to deliver the following documents when applying for entry to Norway:
- Passport and copies of the first and last page in the passport
- Completed application form in paper (do not use the Application Portal Norway). Mark on top of the form that this is a "Diplomatic D-Visa Application".
- Original Note Verbale from the Ministry of External Affairs in India
- Official letter containing information about the accompanying family members and details about the position.
The Official letter should be given on an official letter head of the Ministry of External Affairs, and should include the following information:
- Name of the diplomatic or paid consular mission in Norway
- The main applicant’s name
- The main applicant’s date of birth
- Name and date of birth of Spouse (if applicable)
- Name and date of birth of Son (if applicable)
- Name and date of birth of Daughter (if applicable)
- For family members: Proof of family relationship with the applicant
- The applicant’s title
- The applicant’s function (if applicable)
- The predecessor’s name
- The applicant’s expected period of service
- The applicant’s type of passport (diplomatic, special or service passport, or a normal passport issued by the police)
- Expected date of arrival in Norway
The application can be submitted at the Norwegian Embassy or at one of the VFS centers in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. We would like to request that the required documents are submitted together to enable us to prioritize the application and do necessary assessments.
No biometrics are required for the applicants, and there is no application fee.
The application will be sent on Consultation for 96 hours by the Embassy. Please allow up to 10 days for the case processing. The applicant will be notified when a desicion has been made.
Are you a holder of an Official passport and travelling to Norway?
Official passport holders are not exempted from visa, but it is a more streamlined process.
Indian Official passport holders who are travelling to Norway on a short trip should fill out the online form at the Application Portal Norway.
The application must include the following:
- Passport and copies of the first and last page of the passport
- Completed application form
- Original Note Verbale from the Ministry of External Affairs in India
- Official invitation letter (from Norway)
- Medical travel insurance: The applicant is required to have a valid travel insurance. This may be exempted if the applicant is covered by his/her sponsor's insurance. In this case, documentation is required including a common policy number.
Official passport holders travelling in official capacity may be excempted from the visa application fee. If applied via the Application Portal Norway, and the case handler find that the fee can be vaiwed, the fee will be reimbursed to the applicant's account within 4-7 days. Applicants that are not travelling in an official capacity will not be exempted from the visa fee.
Indian Official passport holders who are to be posted at an Embassy in Norway, are requested to deliver the following documents when applying for entry to Norway:
- Passport
- Completed application form in paper (do not use the Application Portal Norway). Mark on top of the form that this is a "Official D-Visa Application".
- Original Note Verbale from the Ministry of External Affairs in India/Bhutan/Nepal
- Official letter containing information about the accompanying family members and details about the position
The Official letter should be given on an official letter head of the Ministry of External Affairs, and should include the following information:
- Name of the diplomatic or paid consular mission in Norway
- The main applicant’s name
- The main applicant’s date of birth
- Name and date of birth of Spouse (if applicable)
- Name and date of birth of Son (if applicable)
- Name and date of birth of Daughter (if applicable)
- For family members: Proof of family relationship with the applicant
- The applicant’s title
- The applicant’s function (if applicable)
- The predecessor’s name
- The applicant’s expected period of service
- The applicant’s type of passport (diplomatic, special or service passport, or a normal passport issued by the police)
- Expected date of arrival in Norway
The application can be submitted at the Norwegian Embassy or at one of the VFS centers in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. Please hand in the application in person. We would like to request that the required documents are submitted together to enable us to prioritize the application and do necessary assessments.
No biometric is required for the applicants, and there is no application fee.
The application will be sent on Consultation for 14 working days by the Embassy. Please allow up to 30 days for the case processing. The applicant will be notified when a desicion has been made.
Entry visa (D-visa)
According to the Immigration Regulations §10-1 first paragraph, a residence permit should as a general rule be issued before entry to Norway. However, in exceptional cases the applicant is, after applying for an entry visa (D-visa), entitled to travel to Norway and stay there until the application for a family immigration permit has been processed by UDI.
To see who is eligible to apply for an entry visa, please refer to UDI's webpage.
Please note that the entry visa is not a residence- or work permit. The applicant has to get their residence permit endorsed from Norway. Please register with the local police within seven days of your arrival in Norway.
To apply for an entry visa (D-visa), application has to be registered and fee paid in the online Application Portal Norway. The same documents as when applying for family-reunification has to be submitted.
When applying for an entry visa, applicants should select 'Schengen visa' on the application portal and write a note in the 'Additional information' field stating that they wish to apply for an entry visa (D-visa). It is also important that the applicant informs the Embassy when submitting the supporting documents that he/she has sent in applications for both family immigration and entry visa (through the Application Portal).
If your application was rejected and you wish to appeal, read more here.
Online registration and payment
Before you can hand in your passport and other documentation, you must register your application online and pay the fee. If this is the first time you are registering an application in the portal, you will need to create a user account first.
Once you have completed the application form online and paid the fee, you will receive confirmation by email with a copy of your application form (schengen.pdf), application summary and payment receipt attached. You need to print the application form (schengen.pdf) and submit it together with the other required documentation
Application fee
The visa fee is EUR 80. Children under six years do not pay a fee. Children from the age of six years and below the age of 12 years shall pay a visa fee of EUR 40. Please visit the UDI website for information about other groups exempted from the visa fee.
Please note that you pay the fee when registering the application in the portal. Applicants exempted from the visa fee requirement will have the fee refunded.
If you are a applying for a visa as a family member to an EU/EEA citizen you are not required to pay the application fee.
Service fee to VFS
In India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives applications and passports are received by the external service provider VFS, who charges a service fee. These fees are to be paid at the counter at the VFS visitor centres.
India: Fee is 20 Euro per applicant.
Nepal: Fee is 27 Euro per applicant.
Bhutan: Service fee is 30 Euro + 30 Euro mandatory courier fee if the applicant does not submit his/her application to VFS in India.
Sri Lanka and Maldives: Service fee is 17 Euro + an additional courier fee of 5.50 Euro.
Note that the applicant must sign the cover letter before submitting. Also please note that any mistakes in the form can be edited by the Embassy. You do not need to submit another application.
Hand in your documents
You must bring with you:
- a printout of the application form (schengen.pdf) received by email;
- the checklist and the documents listed.
- Your passport (must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen area)
- Photograph (must comply with international standards)
- Your travel health insurance policy
- You should be covered for at least EUR 30 000, including expenses in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, treatment in medical emergencies and/or emergency hospital treatment, and death
- Your insurance should be valid in all Schengen countries
- It should cover the whole of your planned stay in the Schengen area
- It should as a rule be purchased in your home country. If this is not possible it may be purchased in another country.
The application process will start once all the required documents have been submitted.
Submit application and the required documents according to the checklists at VFS Application Centres in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives or Bhutan.
All applicants are required to personally appear at a VFS Application Centre to submit biometrics (photo and fingerprints) for their first application for a visa to Norway/Schengen. The same applies for Nepali visa applicants going to Iceland.
Please go to VFS’s website in order to make your online appointment.
Processing time
The processing time for applications is normally up to 15 calendar days after the embassy or consulate has received the application. In some cases, applications are sent to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), and the processing time in these cases may be up to 45 calendar days.
Read more about case processing time for visas on UDIs homepage.
Can your case be moved to the front of the queue? Read about the special circumstances that are required for your case to be given priority, on UDIs homepage.
Apply well in advance of your travel
We recommend that you apply at least 4 weeks prior to departure. You may register your application 3 months before your planned trip.
The case handling time is counted 15 days from the application is received at the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi, to it is picked up by the courier at the embassy.
Therefore, please take into account that due to courier between the locations, the amount of days until you recieve your decision will often be more than 15 days. The timings will differ according to the locations.
India
Delhi: please allow another 2 days in addition to the 15 days case handling time.
Chandigarh, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Bangalore: please allow another 4-6 days.
Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives
Please allow another 6-10 days due courier to/from VFS in Kathmandu/Thimpu/Colombo/Male and the Embassy in New Delhi.
Status enquiry?
You will always be notified when your case has been processed.
If you have a request regarding your application status, applicants are respectfully requested to first check the status via the VFS homepage when the application was received by the Embassy. If the processing time of 15 days from the application was received has not been exceeded, your application is still under process and follow-ups should not be made. This will allow us to keep the processing time within 15 days.
VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.
Telephone:
India : +91 22 67866021
Bhutan: +975 2 33 8383
Nepal: 1800910119, +9779824903641
Email:
India and Bhutan: info.norwayin@vfshelpline.com
Nepal: info.nwnp@vfshelpline.com
Sri Lanka and Maldives: info.norwaysl@vfshelpline.com
In your request, please mention your full name, d.o.b. and passport number. If already applied, please also submit your reference number.
Result of your application
The applicant will be contacted by the Embassy or VFS when the application has been processed. This is why it is crucial that the applicant give his/her personal phone number and email address when handing in the application.
The result can be picked up at the VFS Application Centre office where the application was submitted. It can also be delivered from VFS by courier service against an additional fee.
If you have been granted a visa, a sticker will be placed in your passport. Please check the duration of the stay specified on the sticker. The duration of stay indicates how many days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area.
Applicants are requested to check the following:
- Period of validity
- Number of entries
- Duration of stay
- Passport Number
- Name and Surname
In case there is a mistake, please contact Norway Visa Application Centre.
If your application has been rejected, you will receive a written explanation as to why it was rejected. You can appeal the decision.
On arrival
When you cross the border into the Schengen area, you will have to present:
- your passport with the visa sticker
- proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay (e.g. cash or a credit card). If you have a guarantee form, you should also bring a copy of this with you.
- documentation showing the purpose of your visit, such as an invitation, hotel reservation, etc.
- a return or round trip ticket if you are visiting the Schengen area for tourist purposes or private reasons
You may be asked to provide fingerprints by the border control officer, in which case these will be compared with the fingerprints provided when you applied for your visa.
As long as your visa is valid, you can travel around freely in the Schengen area, or in the specific Schengen countries covered by the visa. If you leave the Schengen area, for example to visit the UK or Svalbard, you will need a multiple entry visa.