Schengen Visa for Norway (2027): Complete Guide and Mandatory Insurance

With its spectacular fjords, hiking trails, and cultural cities like Oslo and Bergen, Norway draws more than 6 million travelers every year in search of wide-open spaces and unforgettable experiences.
But before you marvel at Edvard Munch's masterpieces, explore the architecture of the Kistefos Museum, or hum A-ha songs against a backdrop of Nordic landscapes, one question comes first: do you need a visa to travel to Norway?

Norway is part of the Schengen Area and therefore follows the common visa rules. Depending on your nationality, a short-stay visa may be required to visit this Scandinavian country. Feeling overwhelmed by the paperwork? Hold that Scream! AXA walks you through the entry requirements, required documents, processing times, and the mandatory travel insurance you'll need to put your application together.

Written by the AXA Schengen editorial team
Date: 10.27.2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• 👣 Norway Visa Application: 7 Essential Steps
• 🛂 Do You Need a Visa for Norway?
• 📋 Different Types of Visas for Norway
• 📍 Where and How to Submit Your Visa Application
• 📄 Required Documents for a Norwegian Visa
• 🛡️ Mandatory Medical Insurance for Your Visa: How to Choose the Right One
• ⏱️ Processing Times and Application Timeline for the Norwegian Visa
• 🏛️ What to Expect at Your Application Appointment
• 💶 Norway Visa Fees
• ❓ FAQ: Schengen Visa for Norway

Norway Visa: 7 Key Steps You Need to Know

While the process of obtaining a Schengen visa for Norway may seem daunting at first, it really comes down to just 7 straightforward steps that anyone can follow:

1. Check your eligibility: determine whether your nationality requires a Schengen visa to enter Norway.
   
2. Determine the type of visa you need: choose between a short-stay Schengen visa (up to 90 days for tourism or business), an airport transit visa, or a long-stay national visa.
   
3. Create an account on the official UDI portal: register your application online with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and pay the visa and service fees.
   
4. Identify your submission center: locate the embassy, consulate, or authorized VFS Global center where you will submit your application.
   
5. Gather your documents: collect all required supporting materials, including your mandatory travel insurance certificate.
   
6. Submit your application by appointment: visit the selected center to hand in your original documents and have your biometric data recorded.
   
7. Track your application and retrieve your passport: wait while your file is processed (typically around 15 days) before collecting your visa.

Who Needs a Visa for Norway? Nationalities and Travelers Affected

Whether you need a visa for Norway depends on your nationality (or your status), the length and the purpose of your stay.

📌 Your nationality takes precedence over your country of residence. It is what determines whether you need a Schengen visa, not where you live. For example, if you hold Algerian citizenship and legally reside in the United Kingdom, you must apply for a short-stay visa for Norway.

1. Travelers Who Require a Schengen Visa (Short Stay < 90 Days - Type C)

A Schengen visa is required for nationals of approximately one hundred countries (including countries in the Maghreb region, Turkey, Senegal, and Gabon) for stays of less than 90 days.

2. Long-Stay Visits (> 90 Days - Type D)

Anyone wishing to settle in Norway for more than 90 days (for work, study, or family reunification) must apply for a residence permit through UDI, regardless of their nationality (except for EU/EEA citizens).

📌 EU/EEA nationals who wish to stay in Norway for more than 3 months must register with the police.

3. Airport Transit (Type A Visa)

If you have a layover at a Norwegian airport without leaving the international zone, an airport transit visa (ATV) is required for certain nationalities. Nationals of the following countries must apply for a Type A visa:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iraq
• Iran
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Somalia
• Sri Lanka
• Syria
• Turkey

4. Travelers Exempt from a Visa for Norway

You do not need a Schengen visa for a stay of less than 90 days if you are:

• A citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
  
• The holder of a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen Area country (e.g., a French residence card).
  
• A national of a third country benefiting from a visa exemption agreement (e.g., the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom).

👉 Check the list of travelers and nationalities that do not need a visa for a short stay in Norway.

Entry conditions for visa-exempt nationals (third-country citizens) for short stays

A visa exemption does not exempt you from border checks. You must meet the following conditions:

• Hold a valid passport: issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended return date.
  
• Respect the authorized length of stay: a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area.
  
• Obtain ETIAS authorization (coming soon): this online form will gradually become mandatory for all visa-exempt travelers.

👉 Check the official EU ETIAS website for the latest information on its launch date.

What type of visa or residence permit do you need for Norway?

The type of visa you need depends primarily on the length of your stay and the purpose of your trip to Norway.
Refer to our comparison table to instantly identify the visa that fits your situation.

*If you need to leave the international transit zone and exit the airport, you will need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C)

The Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C) for Norway

Also referred to as a "visitor visa" by Norwegian authorities, the Type C Schengen visa is the most common option. Like all countries in the Schengen Area, Norway applies harmonized eligibility requirements set at the European level.

This visa is intended for travelers visiting Norway for a variety of purposes: tourism, vacations, family or friend visits, business travel, medical care, cultural or sporting events, or short internships and training programs.

• Length of stay: It allows you to stay in Norway (and travel within the Schengen Area) for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.
  
• Number of entries: It may be granted for a single entry (meaning you must leave the Schengen Area once you exit) or for multiple entries (allowing several round trips within the 90-day limit) depending on your travel needs.
  
• Volume of applications: Each year, Norwegian consular services process an average of more than 180,000 short-stay visa applications.

Norway Residence Permit and Long-Stay Visa (Type D): Understanding the Difference

If you plan to stay in Norway for more than 90 days (to work, study, or join family), the entry requirements are governed not by Schengen rules, but by Norwegian national regulations.

Here is how this process works:

• The residence permit (Residence Permit): Issued by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), this is the official document required to grant you the right to live, work, or study in Norway.
  
• The long-stay visa (Type D): In Norway, this technical visa serves as an entry authorization. It is affixed to your passport by the consulate after your residence permit has been approved by the UDI, allowing you to travel to Norway to collect your permanent residence card.

👉 For more information on applying for a residence permit, visit the Official Norwegian Government Information Portal

📌 Note: Citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a residence permit, but must register with the Norwegian police if they stay for more than 3 months.

Where and How to Submit Your Schengen Visa Application (Type C) for Norway

Once you have confirmed that your situation requires a Schengen visa, it is time to move on to the practical steps. The process involves two key stages: the online application, followed by an in-person appointment.

1. Mandatory Registration on the UDI Portal

You must create an account and register your application online on the UDI website (the official portal of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)).

⚠️ IMPORTANT: The visa fee ($90 for an adult) must be paid directly online at the time of registration. Make sure your travel plans are fully defined and that you have gathered all required supporting documents before completing payment. (Full details on VFS fees and service charges are provided further in this article.)

2. Scheduling Your Appointment and Submitting Your Paper Application

Once you have confirmed and paid for your application on the UDI website, you will be required to schedule an appointment to submit your complete application and have your biometric data recorded (fingerprints and passport photo).

Depending on your country of residence, your appointment will take place at one of the following three locations:

1. At a VFS Global application center (most common): Norwegian authorities have outsourced the collection of applications and biometric data to their official partner, VFS Global.
   
2. Directly at a Norwegian consular office: In certain countries, applications are submitted in person at the counter of the Royal Norwegian Embassy or a Norwegian consulate, by prior appointment.
   
3. At the embassy of another Schengen country: When Norway has no consular representation in a given country, it delegates visa processing to a partner Schengen state (such as Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, or Portugal). Your appointment will then take place at that partner embassy.

💡 Our tip for travelers: To find out where to schedule your appointment based on your country of residence, enter your details using the "Want to apply" tool on the UDI website.

What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Norway Schengen Visa?

For your visa application to be accepted by the consular authorities, it must be complete and properly assembled.

💡 Good to know: The exact and comprehensive list of documents required depends on your individual situation. A personalized checklist will be generated for you on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) portal when you register online. Below are the main documents typically required to complete your application:

1. The Core Administrative File: Essential Documents

• Application form: Completed online, printed, and dated/signed.

👉 Follow our tips for completing your visa application form.

• Payment receipt: Proof of the visa fee payment made on the UDI portal.
  
• Valid passport: Issued less than 10 years ago, valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area, and containing at least 2 blank pages.
  
• Passport copies: A copy of the biographical data page (with photo and signature) and any pages containing previous visas.
  
• Valid residence permit (if applicable): Valid for at least 1 to 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area.
  
• Recent passport-size photo: Compliant with ICAO standards (light background, face clearly visible).
  
• Compliant travel insurance certificate: Covering medical expenses and repatriation for a minimum of 30,000 euros (about $33,000), valid throughout the entire Schengen Area.

💡 Save time! Purchase your AXA Schengen Norway visa insurance online. It meets all the requirements set by the authorities and provides comprehensive coverage for your entire stay.

2. Supporting Documents for Your Travel Plans

• Proof of transportation: Confirmed round-trip booking (flight, train, ferry, etc.).
  
• Proof of accommodation: Confirmed hotel reservation, rental agreement, or host invitation letter.
  
• Proof of sufficient financial means: Recent bank statements showing sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in Norway, or a sponsorship form if your costs are being covered by a third party.
  
• Ties to your country of residence: Employment contract, employer's letter, business registration certificate (for self-employed applicants), or enrollment/student certificate.
  
• Family ties: Copy of the family record book or marriage/birth certificate, if applicable.
  
• Signed checklist: The checklist provided by the UDI, dated and signed.

3. Supporting documents specific to your purpose of travel

• Tourism: A detailed itinerary of your stay in Norway.
  
• Family or friend visit: An official invitation letter signed by your host, a copy of their ID (or Norwegian residence permit), and proof of their financial resources if they are sponsoring your stay.
  
• Business travel or event: An official invitation letter from the Norwegian company or organization hosting you, specifying the purpose and duration of the visit.
  
• Medical reasons: A letter from the Norwegian medical facility confirming your appointment, a medical report from your country of residence, and proof of funding for your treatment.

⚠️ Golden rules for your application file:

• All documents must be written in English or Norwegian (or accompanied by a certified translation).
  
• An incomplete or untranslated file is the leading cause of visa refusal.

Schengen visa travel insurance for Norway: requirements and how to apply

A travel insurance certificate is a mandatory supporting document for your Norway visa application. It confirms that you will be covered for medical risks throughout your entire stay. What conditions must my visa insurance meet to be accepted?

To be accepted by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and consular services, your insurance certificate must comply with the European Visa Code (Article 15 of the Visa Code):

• Minimum coverage: Coverage of emergency medical expenses of at least 30,000 euros.
  
• Emergency care: Coverage of hospitalization and unexpected medical treatment costs.
  
• Repatriation: Full coverage for medical repatriation or in the event of death.
  
• Coverage area: Valid throughout all Schengen Area countries (not just Norway).
  
• Duration: Coverage in effect for the entire length of your stay.
  
• Approved provider: Policy purchased from an insurance company recognized by consular authorities.

💡 Good news! AXA Schengen travel insurance meets all of these requirements and more!

Why choose AXA Schengen travel insurance?

Designed specifically to meet the requirements of Norwegian and European authorities, AXA Schengen plans offer you a stress-free application process:

• Guaranteed acceptance: Our certificates are recognized and approved by consular services and visa application centers (VFS Global) worldwide.
  
• Instant certificate: Receive your official certificate by email immediately after purchasing online, ready to print and add to your UDI application file.
  
• Refund guarantee: If your visa application is refused by the authorities, your insurance premium will be refunded (subject to the terms and conditions of your policy).
  
• 24/7 Assistance: A multilingual medical team available at any time during your trip.
  
• Flexible plans: A range of flexible, affordable coverage options to match your budget and travel frequency.
  
• Benefits for comprehensive protection: telemedicine, baggage coverage, personal liability abroad, individual accident insurance, family and traveler assistance, and more.

👉 Getting your application ready? Purchase your Schengen visa insurance online in just a few clicks and download your official certificate instantly.

What is the timeline for obtaining a Schengen visa for Norway?

Planning ahead is key to avoiding the stress of processing delays. Here is the official timeline and tips to help you submit your application with confidence.

When should you submit your visa application?

• The permitted submission window: You may submit your application no earlier than 6 months before your departure (up to 9 months for seafarers) and no later than 15 calendar days before your planned travel date.
  
• The official recommendation: Depending on your country of residence and appointment availability, Norwegian authorities strongly recommend submitting your application at least 4 weeks before your departure.

How long does it take to process a Norwegian visa application?

As a general rule, processing time for a Schengen visa for Norway is 15 calendar days from the date your complete application is received by the consular services.

However, this timeframe may extend up to 45 days in the following situations:

• Additional verification: If supplementary supporting documents or further investigation are required.
  
• Prior consultation with Schengen partners: For certain nationalities, the Visa Code requires Norwegian authorities to consult other member states before reaching a decision.
  
• Peak tourist season: During periods of high demand (summer vacations, year-end holidays, public holidays).

💡 Our tip for travelers: Appointment slots at visa application centers (such as VFS Global) fill up very quickly. As soon as your travel plans are set, book your appointment as early as possible!

What happens at the appointment to submit a Norwegian visa application?

On the day of your appointment at a VFS Global center or at the consular services (embassy or consulate), you must appear in person so that your identity can be verified and your original documents reviewed.

The agent who receives you will carry out the following steps:

• Review your application: Checking that all your supporting documents are complete and meet UDI requirements.
  
• Collect your biometric data: Taking a facial photograph and scanning your fingerprints.
  (Children under 12 must be present but are exempt from fingerprinting).
  
• Collect the service fee payment: if you are applying through VFS Global (the visa fee having already been paid online at the time of registration).
  
• Retain your passport: for the duration of the review of your application by the Norwegian authorities.

📌 Special case: If you have already been issued a Schengen visa and had your biometric fingerprints recorded within the past 59 months (nearly 5 years), you may be exempt from appearing in person.
In that case, Norwegian authorities allow you to have your application submitted by a third party, who must present a duly completed and signed power of attorney on your behalf.

How much does a visa for Norway cost?

The cost of a Schengen visa application includes fixed consular fees (paid through the UDI portal) and, where applicable, service fees charged by an external operator (such as VFS Global). The price depends primarily on the applicant's age and sometimes on their country of origin and purpose of travel.

Official visa fee schedule:

📌 Good to know: Schengen visa fees are set at the European level and are subject to revision. Be sure to check the current rates on the European Commission website or on the official UDI portal.

Who qualifies for a free visa?

Some travelers are fully exempt from consular fees:

• Family members of an EU/EEA citizen (spouse, child, dependent relative) who is not a Norwegian national.
  
• Students, pupils, and accompanying teachers traveling for educational or academic purposes.
  
• Scientific researchers traveling for research purposes.
  
• Applicants who submit their application directly to the Governor of Svalbard.

What to know before paying your visa fees

• Visa center service fees: If your application is processed through an external provider (e.g., VFS Global), service fees of approximately €20 to €30 are added on top of the visa fee. Be sure to check in advance which payment methods are accepted on-site (cash or card).
  
• Pay upfront, get reimbursed: If you are exempt from fees, the UDI system may still ask you to pay upfront when registering online. No need to worry this amount will be fully refunded to you afterward.

⚠️ Non-refundable fees: Visa fees and VFS service fees are never refunded by the authorities, even if your visa application is denied.

💚 Good to know with AXA Schengen: Unlike administrative visa fees, your AXA Schengen travel insurance is 100% refundable if your visa application is denied by the authorities (upon presentation of the official refusal notice).

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FAQ: Questions and Answers About the Norway Visa

How Much Money Do You Need to Show to Get a Visa for Norway?

To obtain a short-stay visa for Norway, you must prove that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses during your stay. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the reference amount is NOK 300 per day if your accommodation is covered or paid in advance, and NOK 1,300 per day if it is not.

What Should I Do If I Don't Have Enough Money to Get a Visa for Norway?

If you do not have sufficient financial resources, a relative, a host, or a company in Norway can cover your expenses. Your sponsor must then complete a financial sponsorship form with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Important! Your sponsor must complete this form before your visa application is first registered on the UDI portal. They will then need to send you either a confirmation code (if the form was completed online) or an original paper version to include in your application file.

Is It Easy to Get a Schengen Visa for Norway?

Getting a Schengen visa for Norway depends on your personal situation and the strength of your application. Authorities review factors such as the purpose of your stay, financial resources, accommodation arrangements, and proof of intent to return to your country of residence. A complete and consistent application file is essential, but it does not guarantee that the visa will be granted.
The refusal rate can change from year to year — feel free to check the latest Schengen visa issuance statistics by country and nationality.

Can I Visit the Svalbard Archipelago With a Schengen Visa for Norway?

No, Svalbard is not part of the Schengen Area, even though it belongs to Norway. You do not need a visa to enter the archipelago. However, if your nationality is subject to the Schengen visa requirement, you will need a visa authorizing at least two entries to travel to Svalbard from mainland Norway and return to the Schengen Area. When submitting your application, make sure to request a multiple-entry Schengen visa.

During My Stay in Norway, I Also Want to Visit Sweden. Do I Need to Submit Another Schengen Visa Application?

Unless the Schengen visa issued to you has limited territorial validity, you may use the same Schengen visa to visit all member countries, including Sweden. However, be sure to comply with the 90-day rule within any 180-day period, as well as the expiration date of your visa. You will find all of this information on your visa sticker.

What Should I Do If My Schengen Visa Application for Norway Is Refused?

In the event of a refusal, you will receive a letter explaining the grounds for the decision and outlining the available appeal procedures. You generally have 3 weeks from the date you receive the decision to file an appeal. The processing time for the appeal may vary depending on the authority responsible for reviewing it.

Before submitting a new application, take the time to identify the reasons for the refusal and address any gaps in your file.
See our guide on the reasons for Schengen visa refusals and the steps to take.