Below you will find answers to common questions. Please review this information before contacting us, as the embassy cannot respond to questions already addressed here.
Who can I contact about visa and residence permit applications?
For all questions related to visa or residence permit applications, please contact the VFS Global application center in your country.
Who can I contact regarding specific questions about residence permit applications?
If you have specific questions about residence permit applications or regulations, please contact the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI):
Can I check my application status?
Unfortunately, the Embassy cannot provide individual updates on application status. Please refer to our published processing times for an estimate of how long your application may take.
How can I track my application?
You can track the status of your application online via VFS Global. Make sure to select the correct country.
How do I apply for a Schengen visitor visa (C-visa)?
A C-visa allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The same rules apply in all Schengen countries.
In Norway the application process is divided into two main parts:
- Part 1: Online application and payment
First, you or the person who intends to travel to Norway must complete an electronic application for a visitor visa on the UDI website.
Once the application form has been completed, the application fee must be paid online. The person who submits the electronic application will then receive a confirmation by email, along with a document titled “Schengen.pdf”. This document must be printed and signed personally by the applicant.
- Part 2: Submit documents in person
After the application has been registered online and the fee has been paid, you must book an appointment with a VFS Global Visa Application Center to submit your application and the supporting documents.
As an applicant for a visitor visa, you are generally required to appear in person at a visa application center in your home country or country of residence to submit the application and all required documents (see below for exemptions).
The required documents are listed in the relevant checklist.
In most cases, you must visit a visa application center in person. However, if you have applied for a Schengen visa within the last five years (59 months) and your biometric data is still valid, you may not be required to appear in person. In such cases, a representative may submit your visa application documents for you. To do so, they must have a signed letter of authorization (power of attorney) from you. Please note that this option applies to visa applications only. The embassy or consulate may still require you to appear in person if deemed necessary.
You can find more information on C-visas here.
How do I apply for an entry visa (D visa)?
Please note that UDI implemented a new application process for D visas on 13 January 2026.
Information on how to apply for a D visa is available on UDI’s website here.
Can I travel to Norway before my application has been processed by applying for an entry visa (D visa)?
The Embassy can issue an entry visa (D visa) only in special circumstances. To be considered, it must be beyond doubt that the applicant will be granted a residence permit for family immigration. This means that all requirements must be fully met and that the application is complete, clear, and does not require further assessment.
In practice, it is often difficult for the Embassy to determine in advance whether a family immigration application will be approved. The Embassy must also consider whether UDI is likely to request additional information or require interviews in the specific type of case. For these reasons, most applications for entry visas are refused, and D visas are granted only in rare cases.
You can find more information on D visas here.
Are C visas and D visas the same?
No. An entry visa (D visa) is not the same as a Schengen visa (C visa).
A C visa allows short stays of up to 90 days and is processed under a different set of rules. The standard processing time of up to 15 days applies only to C visas.
By contrast, a D visa is subject to separate national regulations, and its processing time may be significantly longer.
How do I apply for a residence permit?
Information on how to apply for a residence permit in Norway is available on UDI’s website:
How can I stay in Norway for more than 90 days?
If you want to stay in Norway for more than 90 days (e.g. for work, family or study purposes), you should apply for a residence permit.
Where do I submit my application?
All visa and residence permit applications must be submitted in person at a VFS Global Norwegian application center in your home country or country of residence. In Schengen visa cases, some exemptions apply (check FAQ: How do I apply for a Schengen visa (C visa)?)
Please note that applications may be lodged in Thailand only by citizens of Thailand, Cambodia, or Laos, or by individuals legally resident in Thailand.
What should I do if I have difficulties booking an appointment?
If you experience difficulties booking an appointment, please contact the VFS Global call center directly for assistance.
How early should I apply for a Schengen visa (C-visa)?
To allow sufficient processing time, we recommend submitting your Schengen visa application at least 4 weeks before departure.
- You may apply up to 6 months before your planned travel date
- Seafarers may apply up to 9 months in advance
- Applications must be submitted no later than 15 calendar days before travel
What do I do if my residence card is lost/expired?
You will need to apply for a D Visa (entry-visa) to enter Norway. You must submit the application in person at VFS Global and provide:
- A signed visa application form (completed digitally, then printed – please follow the instructions provided in the form)
- A signed written explanation of why you do not have a valid residence card, where you have been and how long you have been outside Norway
- The expired residence card, or a police report if the card was lost or stolen
- A valid Passport
- A recent passport-size photograph
What should I do if there are spelling mistakes on my name, my middle name is missing, or my passport number is incorrect on my visa?
For spelling errors or an incorrect passport number, please return your passport to your local VFS center so they can arrange the correction—no need to contact the Embassy directly. If your middle name is missing, this is not an issue; visas follow the information in the passport’s MRZ, which typically does not include middle names. As long as your first and last names are correct, the visa remains valid.
What should I do if my travel dates change after my visa has already been issued?
Issued visas cannot be amended. Any change to travel dates – even by one day – requires submitting a new visa application, as updated information must undergo full reassessment. To avoid delays, please ensure all details, especially travel dates, are final before applying.
How long do I have to wait for an answer?
Processing times are calculated from the date the application or appeal is received at the Embassy.
Schengen visa (C visa)
- Up to 15 calendar days
- In some cases, processing may take up to 45 calendar days if further examination is required
Appeals (C visa)
- Up to three (3) months waiting time
- Processing may take longer if the appeal is forwarded to UDI
Entry visa (D visa)
- Lost or expired residence card: approximately 6 weeks waiting time
- Family immigration: approximately three (3) months waiting time
Residence permits
All residence permit applications are processed by UDI. Estimated waiting times are available here: Waiting time – UDI
For questions regarding a pending application or appeal at UDI, please contact UDI directly: Contact us – UDI
When can I request priority processing?
The Embassy can only give priority to well-documented urgent cases.
Pre-paid travel arrangements are not considered a valid reason for urgency.
How do I appeal a decision from the Embassy?
All appeals must be submitted through UDI’s document upload service.
Please note:
- Appeals must be submitted within 3 weeks from the date you were informed of the decision
- The appeal must include your handwritten signature
- If someone submits the appeal on your behalf, they must have a valid power of attorney
Important Information:
- Appeals sent by email to the Embassy will not be registered or considered
- If you appeal because your visa is valid for a shorter period than requested, the appeal will not be considered if you use the visa
- The Embassy is unable to provide individual guidance on refusals or appeal procedures
For more details, please visit:
How can I cancel my application and request a refund?
The application fee can only be refunded if the application has not been submitted at VFS Global.
To request a cancellation and refund, please email the following documents in PDF format to: visa.bangkok@mfa.no
Required documents:
- UDI’s confirmation of paid fee from online registration
- A signed request letter for cancellation and refund (handwritten signature)
- A copy of your passport (biodata page)
How can I apply for Norwegian Citizenship?
Information on how to apply for Norwegian citizenship can be found on UDI’s website:
Want to apply: Citizenship – UDI
Applying for protection (asylum)
Under Norwegian law, you must be present at the Norwegian border or inside Norway to apply for protection.
If you are outside Norway, the responsible authority is the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
More information is available here:
Want to apply: Applying for protection (asylum) when you are not in Norway – UDI
What happens to my passport during processing?
For C-visa applications, your passport must be submitted at VFS and will remain at the embassy until the application is processed.
For residence permit and D-visa applications, you may get your passport back while your application is being processed, if needed. If your application is approved, you will need to submit your passport to VFS again. Please note that additional VFS fees may apply.