Get your Norway Visitors VISA APPROVED !

Vacations coming up and you want to explore Norway, here’s we sharing our experience and tips when it comes to applying and getting faster approvals on Visitors VISA applications. And yes, nearly NO REJECTIONS at all. Read on for more insights. This article highlights the process for a NON-EU resident/or citizen.

Norway allows a visitors VISA for a maximum of 90 days in a row, advisable you plan your trip for utmost 88 or 89 days to avoid last minute flight cancellations due to any reason. This shows the immigration authorities that you respect the 90 day limit and will travel back between this. High chances for VISA approval.

Who can apply for a Visitors VISA (applicant categories):

You can apply for a Visitors VISA as someone who wants to visit Norway for one of the following categories and if you want to:

• Visit parents or children
• Visit your spouse or cohabitant
• Visit your sister or brother
• Visit another family member
• Visit your girlfriend or boyfriend
• Visit for Business opportunities
• Attend a cultural event or visit an organization
• Tourism or visit Norway for other reasons
• Travel with, or visit, a family member who is an EU/EEA national

Categories marked in bold italics above are the ones where people get more and easy success in getting their applications approved, while don’t get disheartened others get a due approval provided all the documentation and intentions to visit and come back are clearly stated and are reasonably visible.

Read more about Visitors Visa categories here at the link on UDI’s official website (The Immigration department).

How to apply:

1. Go to the UDI.no portal at this link, that’s the immigration department in Norway.

2. Select “Want to apply” button, and or/ create an account or login to the website.

3. On the next page, enter the origin country of yours, of which you are a citizen of.
4. In the next step, chose Visits and holidays

5. In the next step you will be asked to choose from these three options. If you are more than 1 person visiting Norway at the same time, and want the application be processed in less time with less chances of rejection, select Visitor visas for groups.

If you are only one person, then chose Visitors visas for Norway option, and further chose from the below options available which suits your case:

• Visit parents or children
• Visit your spouse or cohabitant
• Visit your sister or brother
• Visit another family member
• Visit your girlfriend or boyfriend
• Visit for Business opportunities
• Attend a cultural event or visit an organization
• Tourism or visit Norway for other reasons
• Travel with, or visit, a family member who is an EU/EEA national

Now each of these options have a different set of documented requirements apart from some basic ones. Read more on requirements on each category here at this link. Each of the categories lists its requirements clearly and a How to apply button, follow that.

Categories marked in bold italics above are the ones where people get more and easy success in getting their applications approved, while don’t get disheartened others get a due approval provided all the documentation and intentions to visit and come back are clearly stated and are reasonably visible.

6. Register and Login to your account by following the Create account link at the bottom of the page.

7. Once you have logged in, you will see the below page with instructions to file for a Visitors visa application.

Once you are ready, click the Next page button as shown below, where the progress on each page will be automatically saved.

8. Now keep filling in the questions, information asked and verify everything entered on the Summary page. REMEMBER! not to submit the application until you have validated 100%, ensuring reduction in rejection due to incomplete or wrong information.
9. Once the application is submitted you will be provided with an option to Pay the fee for the VISA.
10. Once VISA fee is paid you will have access to your application, fee payment receipt and a cover letter. Download a copy of all these documents, you will later need to print them in physical while visiting the VFS center at your state. VFS centers are the one catering services for you and the Royal Norwegian Embassy to file in and process your application.
11. Next, take an appointment at VFS center and submit all application documents as collected in document checklist. Visit this website to book an appointment.

NB! Remember to plan your trip, application submission at-least 2 months in advance to avoid the last minute rush as you may not get a VISA application appointment on all days Book this appointment first we would recommend. Read more here.

Submitting the Application at the VFS VISA application center:

1. Once you visit you will need to handover your application documents, including 2 VISA compatible passport sized photos, give your biometrics and hand over your passport for VISA stamping.
2. Once your application is submitted, you will be given an application token or a printed long receipt which you will need to come along with / or present to a representative of VFS to collect your passport or while receiving your passport via courier. DO NOT LOSE THIS. Photo copies or soft copies of this wont work and you may be denied receipt of your passport. I was, until I arranged it.

In about 14 days of your submission, depending on the season you will get an email, SMS (if opted) alert about the VISA decision. Tada!! You’ve got your VISA then. We wish you all the best in your journey.

Key notes:

• Visa applicable passport photos taken in the local market will be much cheaper than at the VFS center.
• Get your passport collected by yourself and don’t opt for any extra visa services with VFS, you always get an email after the decision, which is usually between 7 to 14 days.
• If having family in Norway, opt for Family visit VISA and your family members can give you an Invitation letter stating the purpose of the visit and the relation between you; the applicant and the inviting party/reference.
• Documentation of relationship if visiting family this needs be checked, either the family name be same/similar.
• While applying for the VISA ensure the documentation of your employment, school/studies and permission for leave/holidays, income is available and submitted, provides enough evidence that you are free to travel.
• Proof of sponsorship and/or of private accommodation can be filled by your family members if you apply for a Family visit VISA, you should fill this form.

NB! No need to book a real ticket yet, unless the VISA application is approved. You may always get a FREE travel itinerary from your favorite Airlines.

Things to really avoid:

• Avoid receiving undocumented money transfers of huge amounts in your account from others for at-least last 6 months of your planned travel. If its your own money between your own accounts, or of something you sold off etc. then its OK. Money borrowed from parents is also OK but this leads to suspicion to the authorities that you don’t have your own funds to support your travel and may not return back after the VISA expires.
• Ensure you keep the trip adjusted to lesser than 90 days, if your Travel itinerary fails to show this or your VISA application; this leads to higher chances for rejection.
• Apply for multiple visits in the first application; that is apply only for visiting Norway in the first visit, as planning for visiting multiple Schengen countries at first may set your chances for a rejection. Talk to VFS center or the Royal Norwegian Embassy before applying to clarify.

Things to Remember:

• In case you apply to visit family and they sponsor your visit, stay, ensure you keep the sponsorship letters with you when you visit the Airport, or the Immigration checkpoints.

Conclusion:

Applying for a Norwegian visitors VISA was never this easy while UDI, and the Embassies making a top level effort to cater applications from all over the world. We advise you to be patient, always provide accurate information, avoid any misleading information. Planning your dates while taking a VFS appointment for document submission is really important, and that of your travel Itinerary. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to post it in the comments below and we will try to address everyone of them. Good luck.