Residence permit

Citizens of the Seychelles need a residence permit in order to work or to take up residence for longer than 90 days. The Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi handles applications for Residence permit for citizens of the Seychelles.

For nationals of other countries:

Nationals of EU/EEA countries do not need a residence permit to stay or work in Norway. However, all nationals of EU/EEA countries who want to stay for longer than three months must register with the police.
Nationals of non-EU/EEA countries who want to work in Norway or to stay for longer than 90 days need a residence permit.

The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) normally processes applications for a residence permit.

Please note:

VFS Nairobi and VFS Dar es Salaam are opening up again from Monday 22nd June. VFS Kampala and VFS Addis Ababa will open from Monday 29th June. Please note that the opening hours will be from 8 am to 1 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please also note that they will only accept applications and resubmissions for residence permits.

Due to COVID-19 and restrictions on who can enter into Norway, no Schengen visas is processed unless there is an extraordinary case. You can read more about it here.

Before you apply

Find out what type of residence permit you need, e.g. in connection with work, studies, family immigration or to stay in Norway as an au pair. You will find information on the different types of residence permit on UDI’s website.

In order to apply for a Norwegian residence permit, you must either be a citizen of Seychelles or have a Seychelles residence permit. You must have had the Seychelles residence permit for at least six months before you can apply for a Norwegian residence permit.

Applications for residence permits must be submitted at the application center, VFS Global, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Gather the necessary documentation

You must gather all the documents in the relevant checklist on UDI’s website. Some of the documents must be provided by your contact person in Norway; others you will have to obtain yourself.

If you want someone to act on your behalf in connection with your application, you must authorise this person to do so. Please visit the UDI website for more information and the relevant form.

Online registration and payment

Before you can hand in your passport and other documentation at the embassy, consulate or VFS-office, you must register your application in the Application Portal. If this is the first time that you are registering an application in the portal, you will first need to create a user account.

Once you have registered, you will receive confirmation by email, with a cover letter attached. The cover letter will confirm that you have filled in the application form and paid the fee. You need to print this letter and submit it together with the other required documentation.

Application fees

Please visit the UDI website for information about the fees.

Please note that you pay the fee when registering the application in the portal.

Service fee at the Visa Application Centre

In Kenya, applications are received by an external service provider, VFS Global, which charges a service fee. Link to VFS for more information on their service fees.

Optional services provided at the Visa Application Centre

Certain additional services offered by VFS are not included in the service fee. Please note that these services are optional. Link to VFS for information about additional services.

Handing in the documents

You must bring all the documents listed in the checklist with you. You will find a link to the checklist in the email that is sent when you have registered your application in Application Portal. We will contact you if we need more information. Your application will then be sent on to UDI for processing.

You can hand in your documents here:

VFS Norway Application Centre
West One Offices, 2nd floor (opposite Engen petrol station)
Parklands Road
Nairobi

Please be informed that the VFS Norway Application Centre will be closed on Friday 2 June. Monday 5 June it reopens in new facilities:

VFS GLOBAL,
5th Floor, Parkfield Building Muthangari Drive,
Off Waiyaki Way, Opposite Safaricom House Westlands,
Nairobi, Kenya

Telephone: +254 (0)731389936

Applicants must book an appointment with the VFS Centre. This is done at the end of the online application on the Application Portal.

Processing time

Applications for a residence permit are processed by UDI. You will find information about the processing time on UDI’s website.

The Embassy will forward the applications to UDI for processing as soon as the application is complete with all supporting documents. If an interview is required, the Embassy will contact you using the email and sms contacts provided in your application

Applicants will receive an email notification from UDI informing that they have received your application.

Result

You will be notified by telephone when your application has been processed.

The result can be picked up at the Visa Application Centre where the application was submitted.

If you have been granted a residence permit, a sticker will be placed in your passport to allow you to travel to Norway. The VFS will contact you to let you know when you can collect your passport.

If your application has been rejected, you will receive a written explanation as to why it was rejected. You can appeal the decision

In order for the Embassy or VFS to contact you, the Embassy must have your current contacts. Therefore if you change your telephone number, you must inform the Embassy as soon as possible.

On arrival

When you cross the border into the Schengen area, you will have to present:

your passport with the entry visa sticker (if you need an entry visa)
documentation showing the purpose of your stay

Once you know when you will be arriving in Norway, you need to make an appointment with the police in order to obtain a residence card. You must pre-book this appointment, normally through the Application Portal, and the appointment has to be either during the first seven days you are in Norway, or the first available appointment you can find.

More information on residence cards, including how to book an appointment

Travel and border information for Norway