About Norway

The country is widely hailed as an exemplary and prosperous combination of a social welfare state , dynamic free market activity, and active government intervention. Its gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is among the world's highest, at US$28,100 in 1999, or about 18 percent higher than the western European average, ranking second only to tiny Luxembourg's in western Europe.

The country is rich in natural resources, including offshore oil and natural gas fields in the North Sea, abundant hydropower in the mountains, fish, forests, and minerals. It is a major exporter of oil and natural gas, other raw materials, and semi-processed goods—all of which make it highly dependent on international oil and gas prices for its revenues. In 2000, only Saudi Arabia exported more crude oil than Norway. But other major industries are prospering too, such as information technologies, fishing, pulp and paper products, and shipbuilding. The latter industry is under increasingly heavy competition from overseas (mostly Asian) shipyards, and fishing is heavily subsidized by the state. Norway's overall trade balance is characterized by an unusually large traditional surplus (of over US$18 billion in 1999-2000), it has no foreign debt, and is a major international net creditor and donor to the developing countries. Total foreign direct investment in Norway was estimated at about US$22.7 billion in 1998, according to the central bank of the country. The United States is Norway's leading foreign investor, followed by neighboring Sweden and other European Union (EU) members.

General required documents for a Norway Visa Application:

Firstly, download the application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Norway Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
2 photos must be attached; the photo should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background. Learn more about photo requirements and specifications for a Norway Visa.
Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
A copy of your return-ticket reservation. It is not recommended to purchase the ticket before obtaining the visa – if not otherwise required
Travel Insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Norway and the entire Schengen area
A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Norway and itinerary
Flight Reservation with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Norway. Learn how to make flight itinerary for visa application!
Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay in Norway. Learn how to get hotel reservation for visa application!
Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
Means of subsistence – Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Norway. A foreign national who seeks to enter the territory of Norway needs to attest to the Embassy or Consulate when applying for a Norwegian Visa owning of at least 500 NOK that are equivalent to 53.34€. However, this number is not officially fixed and typically the amount is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Norway Visa Types

Depending on the purpose of your travel to Norway, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion.

Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in Norway permanently, you will have to apply for a different Norwegian Schengen Visa, accordingly.

You can apply for the Norwegian Schengen Visa since 2001 when Norway as an EFTA Member also became a member state of the Schengen Area.

Every person the wishes to apply for a visa in order to visit a Schengen member country is obliged to apply in person, gather all the mandatory documents and first and foremost accordingly to the rules and regulations, make an appointment in advance. The person that will be applying for a visa has to make sure he/she holds a valid passport apropos a passport that has been issued no longer than ten years ago and has a period of six month until its expiration date.

Book an appointment

It important to book an appointment approximately 15 days prior to your departure since that is the approximate time an Embassy/Consulate needs to complete the visa issuing procedures (sometimes it may take even longer).

Tip: You can apply up to 12 weeks before you travel.

Read the instructions carefully and check if you meet the requirements

Every Schengen member country has its own requirements regarding the documents needed to obtain the certain type of visa. Make sure you can gather them all.

Fill out the application form

The application form is a collection of numerous personal data on the individual applying for the Schengen Visa. Make sure you fill out every required gap. Learn how to fill-in the Schengen visa application form!

Attach a recent photograph

A recent photograph of the individual is required to be attached to the application form accordingly to the guidelines/ format, background etc.

Attach the mandatory documents regarding the appropriate Embassy/ Consulate Apart from the application form; attach the other required documents as asked by the Embassy/Consulate. Submit the application documents and attend the interview in person.

During the interview you will be asked personal questions about your whereabouts, the intended trip and other travel details. Make sure your answers are firm and correct.

Visa fees

There is a non-refundable administration fee when applying for a visa. Visa costs have been synchronized in Schengen countries. Details of the costs can be obtained at the particular Embassy/Consulate of the country one is ought to travel to.

University of Oslo
University of Bergen
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
UIT the Arctic University of Norway

Norway