Norway Schengen Visa

Norway, one of the renowned Nordic countries, is also one of the most visited nations for attractions like fairy tale fjords, skiing, midnight sun, and vast coastline. Its territory includes –

• Northern and the western part of the Scandinavian peninsula
• Svalbard archipelago
• Jan Mayen island
• Queen Maud Land in Antarctica

It became part of the Schengen region in 2001. So if you plan to visit the country, you will require a Norway Schengen visa if you are a passport holder of a country that is not included in the visa-free country. This article throws light on whether you require a Norway Schengen visa in the UAE, the requirements to apply for the visa, visa processing time, and more.

Do You Need Schengen Visa for Norway?

Owing to the visa-free arrangement of the UAE with Schengen countries, UAE nationals with valid passports don’t require a Norway Schengen visa to enter the country as a tourist. If your stay is longer than 90 days, however, you would need to apply for the Schengen visa.

The following are the categories of individuals who would need to apply for a Norway Schengen visa in the UAE:

• UAE nationals who have been previously denied entry into a Schengen nation without a visa
• UAE residents with temporary or permanent residential allowance, and who –
  • Possess passport of a country that does not have the visa-free entry setup with Schengen countries 
  • Possess passport of a country that is included in the Schengen visa-free classification but have been refused entry into the Schengen area without a passport earlier

Requirements to Apply for Norway Schengen Visa

The following are the documents that you should present to apply for a Norway Schengen visa –

• A valid passport – this document should not be older than 10 years and must possess a validity of a minimum of 3 months from the date you leave Norway
• Two recent passport-sized photographs – the photograph should not be older than 6 months and should be captured against a bright-coloured background
• A document that confirms you are a UAE resident – this can include residence permit that is valid for at least 3 months from the date you leave Norway
• Norway Schengen visa application form –provide accurate information, print out at least two copies of the application form upon completion, and sign the document towards the end
• Flight itinerary – this document should contain all the information about your flight bookings to and from Norway. It should contain the flight number and your boarding dates.
• Proof of accommodation in Norway – such a document should provide details as to where you would be staying while in Norway. It could be a hotel booking, a rental agreement, or an invitation letter from the host in whose house you will be staying.
• travel insurance document – it should offer minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000. You should carry your travel insurance certificate while travelling.
• Cover letter – a document stating the purpose of your visit to the Schengen country, the duration of your stay, your accommodation, and more
• Proof that you can afford to stay in Norway – for this, you would need to provide –
  • Bank account statement (for at least the previous 3 months) – it must show that you have sufficient funds to pay for expenses on the trip
  • Sponsorship letter – it should be provided by the sponsor or a third party that is financially assisting your stay in Norway. They would also need to provide bank statements as recent as three months
  • A mix of bank statement and the sponsorship letter (if applicable)

Besides these basic documents, you may also be required to provide some more documents as per your employment status.

For Salaried Individuals

• Employment contract
• Leave allowance from the employer
• Recent bank statement of up to last 6 months

For Self-Employed Individuals

• A copy of trade or business licence
• Company’s bank statement for the last 6 months

For Students

• Proof of enrolment (admission acceptance or enrolment number)
• Advertisements
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the university or school

For Retired Individuals

• Pension slips of last 6 months

Norway Schengen Visa Additional Requirements for Minors

The legal guardians or parents of minors can apply for a Norway Schengen visa on the behalf of latter. For this, they need to provide the following documents -

• Birth certificate
• Family court order – if only one parent has custody of the child
• Completed Norway Schengen visa application form
• In case the minor is travelling alone or with an accompanying person, the travellers would need to provide –
  • A copy or original passport of the companion – it should contain the passport holder’s information, passport’s expiry date, a recent photograph, and a valid copy of the visa
  • A notarized parental authorisation to visit Norway that is signed by both parents or guardians

Additional Requirements Based on the Purpose of Visit

Based on the intent of your visit, you might need to submit extra documents for Norway Schengen visa. 

For Business Norway Schengen Visa

• Letter of invitation from the concerned Norwegian organisation that includes detail and address of the organisation
• Memorandum and Article of Association (both original)
• Trade licence
• Proof of trip financing – evidence that the employer or the partner company is covering the expenses
• Business bank statement as recent as 6 months

For Medical Treatment Norway Schengen Visa

• A local medical report from an authorised doctor, hospital, or clinic
• A medically attested certificate from the hospital in Norway
• Payment receipt of the medical expenses
• Confirmation of appointment or treatment

How to Apply for Schengen Visa for Norway?

In the UAE, the Royal Norwegian Embassy has outsourced the visa application submission process to VFS Global. You can submit your forms at any of the Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

The following are the addresses for the same -

• Dubai - Joint Visa Application Centre, Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2
• Abu Dhabi - Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, 26th Street, Adjacent to Khalidyah Mall, 30023

Visa Application Centres are open from Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can submit your applications from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on business days.

For further information, you can connect with the authorised personnel at -

• Phone number - +971(0) 4 205 5903
• Email - info.norwayuae@vfshelpline.com

The visa application centre in Abu Dhabi accepts Norway Schengen visa applications from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Emirates. The Dubai VAC, on the other hand, welcomes Schengen visa applications from the Emirates of Dubai, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al-Quwain, or Sharjah.

To apply for a Norway Schengen visa, follow the steps mentioned below:

• Depending on the Emirate you reside in, check the Visa Application Centre where you are required to submit the Norway Schengen visa
• Fill in the Norway Schengen visa application form. For this, print the form, clearly fill in the required fields, and sign it.
• Schedule a visa interview appointment at the VAC
• Attend the interview and make sure that you carry all the necessary documents in the recommended order
• Once through, wait for the response. Generally, the Norway Schengen visa is processed within 15 days.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Norway Schengen Visa?

Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for those applying for Norway Schengen visa. Keep in mind that this travel insurance must have a medical cover of at least EUR 30,000 and must be valid in all the Schengen countries.

Even besides the legal requirements, having a Schengen travel insurance plan can be beneficial as it can offer financial coverage in case of any medical emergencies and travel inconveniences.

Listed below are the key benefits of securing travel insurance for a Norway Schengen visa -

• Meets the Norway Schengen visa requirements – When applying for a Norway Schengen visa, it is mandatory to provide a travel insurance certificate
• Cover for COVID-19 – Almost all travel insurance plans now provide financial cover in case you are diagnosed with COVID-19. This includes the RT-PCR test upon the surfacing of the symptoms, quarantine (if you test positive), and the treatment for the same.
• Loss of baggage cover – Under this cover, you can be reimbursed by your insurance provider if there is any delay in receiving the baggage or loss of baggage during the transit
• Cover for medical emergencies – Under this cover, you would be financially supported in case a medical emergency like sudden illness or accident occurs. Here, the insurance company will pay off the hospital bills when you seek treatment in the network hospital.
• Support for travel inconveniences – Travel insurance plans can also reimburse you for any inconvenience you may face while travelling, which can include theft of personal belongings, incurred personal liabilities, and more. You can also be compensated in case of travel-related hassles like delayed flights and trip curtailment. 

Based on your travel frequency to Norway, you can choose between any of the following travel insurance types in the UAE -

• Single-Trip Travel Insurance – This travel insurance plan for a Norway Schengen visa financially covers you only for one trip. The coverage begins the day you start your journey to this Nordic nation and concludes once you are home from the trip (or its validity expires).
• Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance – This travel insurance type is suitable for individuals frequently travelling to the Schengen country. Here, all the trips to the Schengen region in a year are covered by a single travel insurance plan. 

Processing Time for the Schengen Visa

The processing time for a  Norway Schengen visa (short-stay or Type C) is up to 15 days. However, in case your application is sent to the Directorate of Immigration, the time could increase to up to 30 days. There could also be some special cases where your visa application approval could take up to 60 days.  

When Should You Apply for Schengen Visa to Norway?

You should file your Norway Schengen visa application on time to avoid last-minute hassles. The period to apply for Norway Schengen visa is discussed in detail below:

• The earliest you can file your Schengen visa application is 6 months before the date you start your trip
• The latest you can submit your Norway Schengen visa application is 15 days before the date you are going to travel

The recommended time to submit your Schengen visa application is at least 3 weeks before you start to travel.

Schengen Visa to Norway Fees

NORWAY SCHENGEN VISA CATEGORY	Visa Fee (AED)	Visa Fee (EUR)
Adult	340	80
Minors between the age of 6 to 12 years	170	40
Minors younger than the age of 6 years	Free	Free
A family member of EU or EEA national	Free	Free
Diplomatic and service passport holders	Free	Free

How Long is Your Norway Schengen Visa Valid?

A single-entry or a double-entry visa, falling under the category of Type C Norway Schengen visa, is valid for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). A multiple-entry visa, on the other hand, can be valid for up to 5 years. One can also consider the Type D visa, which can be valid for up to a year without having any limit of 90 days.

Keep in mind that if you need to extend your visa, you would have to pay a fee at the Directorate of Immigration or the Norwegian Police station. You would also need to submit the requested documents to complete the Norway Schengen visa extension application.

If you fail to meet the Schengen visa requirements, your visa may be revoked. This holds true even if you are already in Norway – you will be asked to leave the country within the time allotted in this case.

Key Takeaways

UAE nationals don’t require a Norway Schengen visa to enter the country provided they have not been denied entry earlier without one. However, if the duration of stay is of more than 90 days, they would need to apply for a Norway Schengen visa. UAE residents, holding a passport of a country that is not part of the Schengen visa-free entry category, would also need a Norway Schengen visa to travel to the UAE.

You would need to submit specific documents while applying for the Schengen visa. This includes valid passport, a printed, filled-in, and signed copy of Norway Schengen visa, proof of accommodation, flight itinerary, resident permit, passport-sized pictures, and a travel insurance plan.

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