Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
The first step is to determine which category visa or residence permit you need, and check whether you’re eligible to apply for it.
You will also need to know the documents that you will have to submit along with your application, how long the application might take and fees you will have to pay.
Each application must comply with the guidelines applicable to your visa or residence permit category.
If your documents are not in English you may need to get notarized translations prepared before applying.
Once you are ready to apply, go to the Royal Norwegian Embassy website for guidelines about the application process and to register your application online. You may also access the online application Portal directly here.
Applications for Schengen visas and residence permits for Norway are handled by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London, UK. Your application documents must be submitted at the VFS Global Application Centre in Minsk.
Applications for Schengen visas and 7-day entry visas for spouses will be assessed by the Embassy of Norway in London, while applications for work and residence permits will be forwarded by the Embassy to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in Norway for consideration.
Once you have registered your application online, you need to book an appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken at a Visa Application Centre. This is known as ‘biometric information’.
Once you’ve booked your appointment, you’ll receive an appointment confirmation email along with the letter of appointment.
If you are part of a family or group, you’ll have to book individual appointments for each member of the family or group.
Applicants must complete the application form in the UDI portal and pay the applicable visa fee online.
There is a service charge levied per application over and above the visa handling fee. This fee has to be paid at the Visa application centre.
You’ll have to submit your complete visa application form at the Visa Application Centre in person.
You will receive an email update when your decision has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. If you can’t access email easily, or would like more detailed tracking information, you may also be able to get updates by SMS sent directly to your phone. Check whether this service is available at the Visa Application Centre you are visiting.
You can also track your visa application status online. Use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access this service.
After a visa application decision has been made, you can pick up your documents from the Visa Application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier for an additional fee.
Collecting your documents in person: bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre and a form of Government identification. If permitted you may be able to send a representative to collect your documents; they will need to present a notarized authorization in writing (with full name, signature, passport number, place and date), valid identification issued by the government in original and copy for both, the authorized representative and the applicant (one copy of each to be kept at VAC).
Please check with the Visa Application Centre at the time of your appointment for the options available to collect your documents.
When collecting your decision, please make sure to check that your envelope contains your documents, including originals. If you have been granted a visa, it will be affixed to your passport.
We kindly ask that you check the following information on the visa sticker:
Name and surname with correct spelling
Period of validity AND duration of stay. The duration of stay indicates how many days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area.
Number of entries
Passport number
If there is a mistake on your visa sticker, please contact the VFS office or the Embassy as soon as possible.
Ready to apply?
Start your application process and then come back to VFS Global with your reference number to book an appointment and read about the additional services offered at your Visa Application Centre.
Additional Information
Here is what else you can do