RESTRICTIONS ON ENTRY INTO NORWAY (COVID-19) –IMPORTANT CHANGES EFFECTIVE FROM 9. OFNOVEMBER 2020!
The Norwegian Government has implemented restrictions on entry into Norway due to the spread of COVID-19.
The Norwegian government announced Thursday November 5th 2020 that stricter documentation requirements for entry into Norway and quarantine in Norway will be introduced - effective from November 9th, 2020.
Starting from 9th November travellers from red countries must present a certificate of a negative Covid-19 test when they arrive in Norway. The test must have been taken less than 72 hours before entry. If the person does not present such a test, he or she may be refused entry.
The requirement applies even if you have been issued a visa before 8 November, if entry occurs after 8 November at 24:00.
- The requirement will not apply to Norwegians, persons who reside in Norway or persons in transit.
- The requirement does not apply to people who regularly come to Norway from Sweden and Finland to work.
- The requirement applies to health personnel who commute to Norway and who have been outside Norway for more than seven days.
- Personnel with jobs critical to society may be exempted when necessary to avoid danger to life and health.
- Persons who come to Norway must have a permanent residence in the country, or the employer or client must provide a guarantee of a suitable place of residence upon arrival in Norway. Persons, including tourists and visitors, who do not have their own residence or employer or client in Norway must stay in quarantine hotels and get tested during the quarantine period. This also applies to family members who come to visit relatives in Norway. The Norwegian Directorate of Health has been tasked with studying how these requirements can be introduced. Until this is established, border controls will be strengthened in accordance with existing regulations. (New)
For more information regarding covid-19 test and quarantine conditions upon entry to Norway, please consult the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s webpage; https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coronavirus-facts-advice/facts-and-general-advice/travel-advice-COVID19/ .
Please find relevant press release here: https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/stay-at-home-have-as-little-social-contact-as-possible/id2783763/.
The Norwegian embassy in Abu Dhabi visa section has no further information and we are unable to answer any detailed questions regarding these changes for the time being.
More family members who live outside the EU/ EEA can now travel to Norway.
The government has announced that it will be possible for more family members residing outside the EU/ EEA to travel to Norway from 21 October 2020.
The groups are:
- children and stepchildren over the age of 21 to a person resident in Norway
- parents and stepparents of children over the age of 21 residing in Norway
- grandparents and step-grandparents of a person resident in Norway
- grandchildren and step-grandchildren of a person resident in Norway
- children of your girlfriend/boyfriend if you are in an established relationship
- spouse, registered partner, cohabitant and children of a Norwegian citizen who lives abroad and who travels to visit Norway together with the Norwegian citizen
- EU/EEA citizens and their family members residing in third countries
The usual requirements for visa and entry will apply.
See also press release from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) https://www.udi.no/en/important-messages/more-family-members-who-live-outside-the-eueea-can-travel-to-norway/
For more information about the entry restrictions that have entered into force as a result of the Covid-19 situation, please visit UDI's information page about the Corona situation.
For more information regarding quarantine conditions please consult the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s webpage https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coronavirus-facts-advice/facts-and-general-advice/travel-advice-COVID19/
The Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is responsible for handling visa and residence permit applications for Norway for the following countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In addition to the above-mentioned countries, the Embassy receives applications for residence from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
For information about the application procedures and requirements for other nationals, please select your country from the list on www.norway.no.
Please note the following:
VFS Global: VFS' Visa Application Centers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia Pakistan, and Teheran are open, but with reduced capacity. Please visit www.vfsglobal.com for more information and to book an appointment.
Interviews: Interviews are being conducted through the VFS Application Centres. However, to protect our staff and the applicants from the risk of contracting Covid-19, it is not possible for interviews to be conducted at our Embassies in Teheran and Islamabad at this time.
DNA-tests: DNA-tests are being conducted. However, to protect our staff and the applicants from the risk of contracting Covid-19, the tests are being done with very limited capacity. The missions in Islamabad, Teheran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia will contact the applicant to schedule a date for the DNA- sample to be collected.
Representation agreements: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the representation agreements Norway has with the Netherlands in Oman, Germany in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, are until further notice suspended. As a result, applicants in the afore-mentioned countries who wish to apply for a visa to Norway must now travel to the nearest VFS Visa Application Centre to submit their applications. In the UAE, we have until further notice suspended our representation agreement with Iceland. Subsequently, we do not receive applications for Iceland.
You can contact the Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, visa section- visa.abudhabi@mfa.no