Like most countries in the Schengen area, Norway is easy to travel to if you’re from a country within the EU or EEA. If you live elsewhere, however, your dream trip to the land of the fjords, Vikings, and northern lights could take a little more planning and may require a tourist visa.
Here’s everything you need to know about tourist visa requirements for Norway, including information about Schengen visas, how much they cost, and how to apply.
What is the Schengen Area?
Although Norway is not a member of the EU, it is part of the EEA and one of the 26 countries that form the Schengen area. When you’re granted a visa to any of the countries in the Schengen zone, your visa is also valid for travel to any of the other Schengen countries. This is why you’ll often hear the term “Schengen visa.”
The countries in the Schengen area include:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
You’ll need to go through passport control when entering and leaving the Schengen area; however, you don’t usually have to show your passport when crossing the border between Schengen countries.
Who Doesn’t Need a Visa to Travel to Norway?
EU/EEA Citizens
If you’re a citizen or recognized resident of an EU or EEA country (including Switzerland), you don’t need a tourist visa to travel to Norway, and you can stay for up to three months. There’s no minimum period you have to wait before you can return; however, you must have proof that you’ve left the country. You’ll need a valid travel document to visit, such as a European Union ID card or passport.
Citizens of Other Countries
Norway has agreements with several countries outside of the EU/EEA, allowing their citizens to travel to Norway without a visa. These countries include the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, among others.
Even if you don’t require a visa to enter Norway, some conditions apply, such as:
- You can stay in any of the countries in the Schengen area (including Norway) for a combined total of 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave Norway.
- You must have means of traveling back to your country of residence.
- You should not be planning to work.
- You should have at least NOK 500 for each day you’re staying in Norway.
This isn’t an exhaustive list; therefore, be sure to check the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website for full details before you travel.
Travelers Who Need a Visa
If you want to travel to Norway as a tourist and you’re not on the visa-free list, you’ll need to apply for a visitor’s visa. Citizens of countries including China, India, and South Africa require a visa to travel to Norway.
The following general guidance applies to most countries. Check the specific requirements for your country, including current visa costs, at udi.no.
Applying for a Visa
To apply for a visitor’s visa, you’ll normally need to register your application online and then visit a Norwegian embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Center in person with all the required documents. A visitor’s visa is valid for travel throughout the Schengen area – including Norway – for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
You should submit your visa application at least four weeks in advance; however, you can apply up to six months before your trip. If you’re traveling to several Schengen countries in one trip, apply for a visa for your main destination, which is typically the country you’ll be staying in the longest or the one you’ll arrive at first.
When you apply, make sure to state how many entries you require on your visa. This is especially important if your trip involves travelling outside of the Schengen area (for instance, to the UK or Russia) and then returning.
As of now, the standard fee for a visitor’s visa is €80 for adults and children over 12 years old.
Extending Your Visa
It’s important to note that Schengen visas (and consequently visas for Norway) cannot be extended. Once you’ve reached 90 days, you must leave the Schengen area or apply for a residence permit. Moreover, if you’ve left the Schengen zone and want to re-enter while having used up the number of entries on your original visa, you’ll need to apply for a new Schengen visa.
Working Holiday Visa in Norway
Norway doesn’t have a specific working holiday visa scheme; however, seasonal workers in certain industries, such as agriculture, can be granted special permits. Furthermore, Visit Norway promotes traveling to the country for a “workation.” This allows you to work as a digital nomad, doing your regular job remotely from the breathtaking fjords or deep within the Arctic Circle. Always check the conditions of your visa before traveling for this purpose.
Traveling to Svalbard
Although Svalbard is a Norwegian territory, it has different travel rules compared to the rest of the country. In particular, Svalbard is not in the Schengen area; however, you’ll still have to travel through the zone to reach it. If you plan to visit Svalbard, ensure that you have enough entries on your visa to cover your visit. For more information, visit sysselmesteren.no.
This article was first published on October 6, 2021, and updated on March 20, 2024.
