A visa to Norway and the rest of the Schengen countries is valid for a maximum of 90 days. As a rule, the visa cannot be extended after you have entered the Schengen area. Exemptions can only be made if something unforeseen happens after you have entered the Schengen area and the original visa was granted for less than 90 days. However, the total residence time in the Schengen area cannot exceed 90 days during the past six months. The visa you are granted from Norway is valid in all the Schengen countries.
Applying online
Applicants are encouraged to use the Norwegian Application Portal. Applying online will result in shorter processing time, less queues at the embassy, as well as making it easier to re-apply for subsequent visas. By using this option it is also possible to check the status of the application online. Please note that it is also possible for the sponsor/family member in Norway to complete all or part of the online process for the applicant (e.g. log on, registration and payment of the fee).
It will still be possible to hand in paper applications. However, applicants using the Application Portal will be given priority. The paper application is submitted to the embassy in person during the opening hours of the visa section.
Most visa applications are processed at the embassy. In some cases, the application may be sent to Norway to be processed by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
Fee
A fee must be paid on the submission of the application. See right hand sidebar for current fee. Children under six years of age are free. Exemption is also made for
• students and teachers going to Norway on a exchange program
• researchers going to Norway to do research
Processing time
If your application is processed by the embassy, you will normally receive an answer to your application within two weeks. If the application is forwarded to Norway and UDI, the case processing will be about one month.
Documentation requirements
I addition to the filled in application form, the following documentation must be submitted:
• A photo not older than three months.
• A valid travel document. It must be valid at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area. It must also contain at least two blank pages.
• If you are invited by someone in Norway, there must be an invitation stating the purpose of the visit and the relationship if the visit is private.
• Documentation of own funds for the stay, or a guarantee declaration from the sponsor.
When the visa is granted
You will be informed by the embassy immediately when the visa is granted, usually by phone. But before the visa is issued, you must present to the embassy the following:
• A round trip ticket valid for the days the visa has been granted.
• A travel and medical insurance of the minimum of EUR 30 000 that is valid in all the Schengen countries and covering the days the visa is valid for.