Gather the necessary documentation
The checklist gives an overview of the documents you need to hand in to start the application process.
Note that you must print, fill out and sign the questionnaire mentioned in the checklists. Mark that you need to answer all the questions given. If not applicable, please write N/A.
The questionnaires are attached to the checklist document.
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.
Business or residence permit? Regulations and updates: Business-residence.pdf
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.