Nestled in the heart of northernmost Europe, Norway—affectionately called the Land of the Midnight Sun—beckons travellers from around the globe. For Indian citizens dreaming of Norway's vibrant culture, obtaining a Norway visa is essential. 

Depending on your travel plans, you might need a national visa, transit visa, or the popular Schengen visa, which opens doors to numerous European destinations. 

Yes, all Indian nationals willing to travel to Norway are required to have a valid visa.

No, Indian citizens do not have visas upon arrival in Norway. Indian passport holders must apply for a visitor's visa to enter Norway, which can be done at the Norwegian embassy or consulate before their trip.

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory when travelling to Norway. Norway is one of the Schengen countries. Hence, to acquire a Schengen visa, you must have valid travel insurance. 

A critical requirement when travelling to Norway is that your travel insurance must have a minimum medical coverage of €30,000, with emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage.

1. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country

• Original signed invitation letter from the family member/friend staying in the Schengen country

• Their address and contact details

• Intended period and duration of stay

• Evidence of legal residence of family/friends visited: copy of passport/national ID card (first and last page if it's an Indian passport) + copy of their residence permit (Inviter in the Schengen country) if applicable.

• Name and passport number of traveller

• Purpose of trip and itinerary of the visit in brief

2. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly

• Signed authorisation letter for the travel agent or the representative

• Copy of the passport of the person submitting the application

3. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country

• Original signed invitation letter from the family member/friend staying in the Schengen country

• Their address and contact details

• Intended period and duration of stay

• Evidence of legal residence of family/friends visited: copy of passport/national ID card (first and last page if it's an Indian passport) + copy of their residence permit (Inviter in the Schengen country) if applicable.

• Name and passport number of traveller

• Purpose of trip and itinerary of the visit in brief

4. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly

• Signed authorisation letter for the travel agent or the representative

• Copy of the passport of the person submitting the application

5. In the case of a retired applicant

• Pension statements for the last three months and

• Proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business

• Applicant's bank statements for the previous 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

6. If self-employed

• Business registration documents and recent bank statements of the business

7. If unemployed

• Applicant's bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

8. If a student

• Enrollment certificate and a no-objection letter from your school or university

9. Proof of civil status

• If married, a marriage certificate is needed

• If divorced, divorce decree/custody decree is needed

• If travelling with children, the birth certificate of the children must be provided

• If applicable, the death certificate of the spouse should be provided

10. In the case of a retired applicant

• Pension statements for the last three months and

• Proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business

• Applicant's bank statements for the previous 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

11. If self-employed

• Business registration documents and recent bank statements of the business

12. If unemployed

• Applicant's bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

13. If a student

• Enrollment certificate and a no-objection letter from your school or university

14. Proof of civil status

• If married, a marriage certificate is needed

• If divorced, divorce decree/custody decree is needed

• If travelling with children, the birth certificate of the children must be provided

• If applicable, the death certificate of the spouse should be provided

Identify the Schengen Country You Want to Visit

Choose the country or countries you wish to visit within the Schengen area and decide which one you will enter first. This is crucial because the visa application process and required documents vary based on each country’s regulations. Once selected, identify the appropriate consulate or embassy for your visa application.

Select the Consulate or Embassy to apply for a Norway Visa

There are three ways to select the consulate:

1. If you plan to travel to multiple Schengen countries, you should apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you will visit most days. This will be your primary destination. 

2. If there is no specific main destination and you visit multiple countries randomly, you should apply at the embassy or consulate of the first Schengen country you enter.

3. If you want to visit one specific country, apply to that country's consulate/embassy. 

If the country you're visiting doesn't have an embassy or consulate in India or doesn't process visas, you can apply through the Schengen state that represents it for visa matters. 

What Is the First Port of Entry for a Schengen Visa?

The first port of entry for a Schengen visa is the first Schengen country a foreign visitor enters. Through the first port of entry, you enter the Schengen Area, and from there, you can travel to any other Schengen country using the same visa.

Initiate the Norway Visa Application

To start your Schengen visa application, head to the official website of the application centre or the embassy or consulate website representing the country you plan to visit first in the Schengen Area.

Check If You Need a Schengen Visa

Once you land on the right website, the first thing you should do is check if you need a visa and the particular visa type by providing your nationality, age, leading destination of stay, country of submission of application, etc., in the designated section.

The processing time for a Norway tourist visa for Indians is typically 15 calendar days after the embassy receives your application. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 calendar days, especially if further scrutiny is needed.

• Apply well ahead of your travel date. 

• To avoid delays, ensure all details and documents are accurate and complete. 

• Check the latest visa requirements on the official Norway Embassy or VFS Global websites, as they can change. 

• Beware of unsolicited offers to expedite your visa or guarantee approval for a fee. 

• Use bank statements, sponsorship letters, or scholarship evidence to show you have sufficient funds for your stay in Norway.

You'll receive a letter detailing the reasons if your Norway Visa is rejected. Typical reasons for rejection include missing documents, inadequate financial proof, absence of travel insurance, or an ambiguous travel purpose. You can submit a new application by correcting the issues highlighted in the rejection letter. Carefully review the feedback and ensure all requirements are met before submitting a new application.

To avoid rejecting your Norway visa application, ensure all documents are complete and accurate, provide clear financial proof, obtain valid travel insurance, and clearly state your travel purpose with supporting documents. Apply well in advance to resolve any issues, and always check the latest visa requirements on the official Norway Embassy or VFS Global websites.

No, you can't extend a Schengen tourist visa for Norway while in the country. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a long-term visa (such as a student, work permit, or family reunification visa) before your initial visa expires. Planning and applying for the appropriate visa based on your intended stay duration and purpose is crucial.