Visitor’s visa and residence permit
A visitor's visa allows you to stay in Norway or other Schengen countries for up to 90 days over a period of 180 days. A residence permit gives you the opportunity to work in Norway and to stay for more than 90 days.
Covid-19, visa and residence permit applications
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic our ability to provide services for applicants who wish to apply for visas and residence permits has been affected. As changes can happen fast, we will update this article with relevant information regarding the application process for those who wish to submit their visa or residence permit applications in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan. In addition, the Embassy receives applications for residence permits from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
NORWAY INTRODUCES ITS STRICTEST ENTRY REGULATIONS SINCE MARCH 2020 - CHANGES EFFECTIVE FROM 12 AM FRIDAY 29th JANUARY
To limit the risk of transmitting the significantly more contagious variant of the coronavirus, the Government is imposing far stricter rules on foreign nationals who seek entry to Norway. In general, only foreign nationals who reside in Norway will be permitted to enter.
The new entry rules are in addition to an extensive border control system that includes requirements of a negative coronavirus test result prior to arrival in Norway, registration of each traveller’s purpose for entering and intended place of quarantine, mandatory testing at the border and legally mandated quarantine.
The following groups of people no longer have access to the country:
- foreign nationals residing in the EEA and EEA nationals residing in third countries (unless covered by exemptions that also apply to third-country nationals);
- family members apart from nuclear families in which the children are minors, for both EEA nationals and others, meaning that grandparents, adult children, parents of adult children and romantic partners may no longer visit;
- foreign nationals from countries outside the EEA who are granted a residence permit in connection with work or study, including as a seasonal worker or student;
- a foreign national who is to work with film or series production or as a researcher who is exempt from the requirement of a residence permit.
Exemptions are still provided for some groups. Groups with permission to enter include:
- foreign nationals who reside in Norway;
- foreign nationals for whom special reasons indicate they should be granted the right to enter, such as specific care responsibilities for persons in Norway or other compelling welfare considerations;
- foreign nationals who are to carry out agreed or formalised parent-child contact;
- close family members of persons residing in Norway, i.e. spouses/registered partners/cohabitants, minor children or stepchildren, parents or stepparents of minor children or stepchildren;
- journalists and other personnel on assignment for a foreign media institution;
- foreign nationals who plan an airport stopover in Norway (both in international airport transit and within Schengen);
- seafarers and aviation personnel;
- foreign nationals who perform commercial transport of goods and passengers;
- foreign nationals who work in critical public functions;
- health personnel from Sweden and Finland who work in the Norwegian health and care services.
The usual requirements for visa and entry will apply.
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: Norway introduces its strictest entry rules since March 2020 - regjeringen.no
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.
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 Iran, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia 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 Tehran 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, Tehran, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh 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 and 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. That said, we will upon the request of Icelandic authorities.
If you have questions, kindly contact the VFS Helpline for general queries on how to apply and what documents are required. Furthermore, regarding questions about the status of a residence the Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, visa section- visa.abudhabi@mfa.no