Stay and live in Norway
Visa and other permits
Documents for Schengen visa to the Kingdom of Norway
New Rules Regarding Photos
Visa fees and insurance
Work and residence
Who needs a work permit?
Nationals required to obtain a visa
Length of residence
What type of work permit should I apply for?
List of websites with information about Norway
Visa and other permits
Do you have any questions about traveling to Norway and what kind of permit you will need? The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has issued a set of fact sheets that will help you out. Visit www.udi.no.
General Consulate of Kingdom of Norway in Murmansk: www.norvegia.ru/murmansk/
The fact sheets are published in several languages and cover the following areas:
- Visa – gives the holder permission to travel to Norway and the Schengen area for up to three months
- Work permit – entitles the holder to work in Norway. Different rules apply to nationals of different countries and to with people with different occupations
- Asylum – a person may have a right to asylum in Norway if he or she has a
well-founded fear of persecution in his or her country of origin - Settlement permit – entitles the holder to live and work in Norway permanently.
- Family reunification – means that a family member living abroad is allowed to come to Norway to live with one or more family members who already live here or intend to live here permanently
- Citizenship – affiliation with a state with rights and responsibilities vis-à-vis that state
- Residence permits for students – a foreign national who wishes to study in Norway may be granted a residence permit for this purpose
In addition to a short introduction that explains who can apply for the permits, you will find answers to frequently asked questions and information on what documents you need to submit with your application.
To apply for Schengen visa to the Kingdom of Norway the following is required:
- Passport valid for no less than 3 months after the anticipated return from Norway.
- 2 copies of filled in visa application form. Application forms are obtainable from the Embassy/consulate or it can be downloaded here If an applicant is traveling with his/her child (children) included into his/her passport, 2 copies of filled in visa application form, 2 photos (the rules for children’s photos are the same as for adults) and relevant invitation should be submitted for each child). When filling in the form, make sure that the spelling of your name is identical to that in your passport. Please note that it is very important to provide correct information and fill in the application form properly. Download visa application form
- 2 photos which should meet the relevant requirements. For detailed information on the required photos please click.
New Rules Regarding Photos:
All photos must meet the demands as stated under. If these demands have not been fulfilled, the applicant will have to deliver a new photo that fulfils the demands. Children have to fulfil the same demands as adults. The Photo shall:
- be in sharp focus, clear and with good contrasts
- be printed on quality photopaper with high solution
- be in colours with a light background
- be
35-40 mm in width - maximum 6 months old, resemble the applicant
full-face , facing the camera directly, eyes looking straight at the camera- show the whole head and the top of the shoulders. The face shall occupy
70-80 % of the picture. - show open eyes that are clearly visible. Hair shall not cover the eyes.
Glasses are allowed as long as the eyes are clearly visible.
- the glasses can not be coloured
- the rim must not cover any part of the eyes
- there can not be reflection in the glasses
Regarding
Religious
- chin, forehead and both cheeks shall all be clearly visible
- shadows in the face due to the
head-dress are not allowed - Letter of invitation from a Norwegian citizen or a foreigner who is a permanent resident in Norway (for private visits), or a company registered in Norway (for business trips). Invitation from a private person should be authorized by district police department.
In accordance with the Schengen rules the period of 2 weeks, at least, is required for processing each application.
Visa fees are paid on beforehand together with the application’s submission. The fee is RUR 1250. Please note that in case if the application is rejected no payment is reimbursed. Please also note that all documentation should be delivered personally
If the Consulate considers it necessary, additional information will be requested from the applicant.
In accordance with the Schengen rules upon receiving the positive answer for a requested visa each ordinary passport’s holder will be asked to show the travel and medical insurance. The required insurance should cover the travel period and sum for 36,000.00 US dollars or 30,000.00 EURO, at least. In case if the travel and medical insurance is not shown the visa will not be issued. Service or diplomatic passport’s holder will not be requested by the Royal Norwegian Embassy to show his/her insurance upon receiving the visa, but he/she is advised to bring such insurance when he/she travels to any Schengen country.
According to the Shengen rules on the border each person travelling to a Schengen state will be asked to show a medical and travel insurance. In case if the required insurance is not shown the traveller will not be allowed to enter the country of destination.
You can be granted a visitor’s visa if you intend to travel to Norway as a tourist, on a family visit, on public business or a business trip, a study visit or other business which does not require a work or residence permit.
A visa for Norway and the rest of the Schengen area has a maximum duration of 90 days. The visa cannot be extended once the holder has entered the Schengen area. Exceptions may be made if unforeseen circumstances arise after your arrival in the Schengen area and your original visa was issued for less than 90 days. However, the total duration of your stay in the Schengen area cannot exceed 90 days in the course of the last six months. The visa you are granted for Norway is valid for all countries in Europe that are party to the Schengen agreement.
Work and residence:
In order to work in Norway, most people require a work permit. The permit must be granted before entry into the country. In general, you cannot travel here and wait for a decision. In most cases, if you will be staying in the country for longer than three months, you must apply for a residence permit. In certain cases, it may also be necessary to apply for a visa in order to enter Norway.
Who needs a work permit?
As a general rule, everyone who wishes to work in Norway must have a work permit. Work includes all types of job or commercial activity, paid or unpaid.
Below is an overview of the groups which are exempted from the requirement to obtain a work permit.
- Groups which are fully exempted
- Exemptions if the work lasts no longer than three months
- Exemptions if the work does not exceed ten days in any one calendar year
- Diplomats
The following groups are fully exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit:
- Nordic citizens
- Foreign seamen on
foreign-registered vessels transporting goods or passengers between Norwegian ports
The following groups are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit, if the work lasts no longer than three months:
- Commercial and business travellers (See Circular
2000-036 for persons who will be selling goods at trade fairs) - Researchers/scholarship holders/lecturers
- Technical experts providing maintenance of or information about machinery (must notify the police in writing before entering the country)
- Foreign nationals in private employ who are accompanying persons into Norway
- Sportsmen and women
- Public employees, following agreement between the home country and the Norwegian authorities
- Journalists
- Tour guides
- Staff on foreign trains, aircraft, buses or trucks
- Security and maintenance crew on a ship laid up in the country. These must notify the police before entering Norway, see Circular
2002-063 .
The following groups are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit, if the work does not exceed ten days in any one calendar year:
- Musicians
- Performers
- Artists
- Necessary accompanying assistants
This group must notify the police in writing before entering the country.
See Circular
Diplomats:
Diplomats do not require a work permit. See separate rules for diplomats.
Nationals required to obtain a visa
Nationals who, under the general rules for entry, are required to have a visa must obtain such a visa, even if they are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit.
Length of residence
The total length of residence in the Schengen territories without a residence or work permit must not exceed three months in any six month period. If you have a residence permit for another Schengen country, only your residence in Norway will be counted towards the three month limit. To calculate your length of residence, see our visa calculator. The calculation of total length of residence can also be useful for those who are not required to obtain a visa.
What type of work permit should I apply for?
There are many types of work permit. Below is an alphabetical presentation of all the permits, so that you can find the right permit for your work.
- Artist/musician
- Au pair – the au pair system allows young people to increase their language ability and gain greater knowledge of Norway and Norwegian culture by living with a Norwegian family. In return, they carry out tasks such as housework and childminding for their host family.
- Charity and humanitarian organisations
- Chefs of national cuisine – may be granted a work permit under the rules on work permits for skilled workers/specialists, with certain additional conditions.
- Development of Norwegian trade – particularly applicable in cases where Norwegian firms are establishing themselves, or significantly expanding their business, abroad. In certain cases, the type of work which comes under this provision also falls within the rules on work permits for skilled workers/specialists.
- Diplomat
- Foreign state companies and multinational companies
- Group permit – grants permission to employ a set number of foreign workers for a temporary job, project, etc.
- Guest worker
- Journalists/media staff
- Market trader
- Missionary
- Necessary
co-worker for the performance of a contract - Peace Corps participant
- Researcher/scholarship holder/lecturer
- Seamen – there are only certain circumstances in which seamen require a work permit in Norway.
- Seasonal worker
- Short term specialist – a person may be granted a work permit for up to three months as a short term specialist if they can document that they have specialist training or have special qualifications, and that their skills are considered necessary for the post which they have been offered.
- Skilled worker/specialist
- Sole trading – a work permit for sole trading may be granted to foreign nationals who wish to start up their own business in Norway. The application must relate to a business which is not already established. The applicant must bear all personal responsibility for the liabilities of the business (sole trading).
- Sportsperson/trainer
- Student (
part-time work) - Temporary permit – a temporary permit may be granted to persons who are entitled to apply for a work and residence permit from Norway, when it is likely that the permit applied for will be granted.
- Trainee (vocational training)
- Work experience after completing studies – this form of work permit may be granted to persons who have completed their studies in Norway.
- Work on the continental shelf
- Worker in the fish processing industry – Russian nationals from the Barents region may be granted a permit to work in the fish processing industry in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. A permit will not be granted if domestic labour or workers from other EEA or EFTA countries are available.
All Norway in English, Russian and Norwegian
www.norge.ru/eng/index.html
Information about Norway in Russian
www.norway.narod.ru/
Information about Norway in Russian
www.altfornorge.narod.ru/mainpage.htm
Information about Norway in Russian
www.nord.kazan.ws/
Information about Norway in Russian and Norwegian
www.russisk.org/index.php?newlang=russian
Information about Norway in Russian
www.dom.no/
Articles about Norway in Russian
www.nyinorge.kulichki.com/
www.
Information about Norwegian roads and about those who use them. In Russian.
www.madi.ru/spravochnik/
Publications from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
www.odin.dep.no/ud/english/
Discover Norway – Interactive Film
www.visitnorway.com/
Maps of Norway
www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/no.htm
Site for the travel agency with info about Norway
www.norwayvisitor.com/
Map of Norway with universities and other institutions of higher education
www.drift.uninett.no/kart/norgeskartet/index.php
Statistics in Norway
www.ssb.no/english/
Official site of Norway
www.norway.info
Virtual travel guide to Norway
www.norway.com
Public information about Norway
www.norway.no
CIA facts about Norway
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/no.html
Directory of cities, towns and regions in Norway
www.fallingrain.com/world/NO/
Festivals in Norway
www.norwayfestivals.com/index.cfm?setlanguage=3
Facts about Norway
www.dep.no/odin/english/norway/norway/bn.html
Almost all you need to know about Norway
www.madein.no
A book with the title «Living and working in Norway»
Facts about Norway (the government, the economy, the education)
www.vg.no/vg/norway/
A complete update of what Norway has to offer using 360 degrees panorama pictures.
www.gonorway.no/
Information about Norway in many languages
www.norwaves.com/norwaves/english.htm
Association for municipalities, counties and public enterprises under municipal or county ownership
www.ks.no/templates/Startside.aspx?id=9876
Norwegian news in English
www.aftenposten.no/english/
Learn to speak Norwegian
www.norlearn.no/
The Norwegian Language Council
www.sprakrad.no/English_and_other_languages/English/
Help in learning Norwegian language
www.norwegianlanguage.info
For everyone who wish to participate in Russian community in Norway
www.skazka.no
Euro language Net project
www.euro.viko.lt/norway/national.php?l=0
Study in Norway
www.studyinnorway.no/living_in_norway/about_norway
Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
http://www.nokut.no
Ministry of Education and Research
http://odin.dep.no/kd
The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training
http://www.utdanningsdirektoratet.no
Universities and Colleges Admission Service
http://www.samordnaopptak.no
The Norwegian Nobel Institute
http://www.nobel.no
Links to universities
www.uio.no
www.ntnu.no
www.hist.no
www.toh.hist.no
www.bi.no
www.uib.no
www.uit.no
Saving bank in Norway
www.norwaysavingsbank.com
Banks in Norway
www.smn.no
www.nordea.no
www.fokus.no
www.dnb.no
www.gemoneybank.no
www.
Taxation
www.skatteetaten.no/Templates/Emne.aspx?id=7429&epslanguage=NO
Exhibition
www.norskfolkemuseum.no/
www.einnews.com/norway/
Detailed information about counties and municipalities in Norway
www.answers.com/topic/
The Norwegian music information centre
www.mic.no/english
Working in Norway
www.nav.no
Information for work immigrants
www.nyinorge.no/modules/module_123/proxy.asp?C=186&D=1&I=0
Information about Norway’s cooperation with Europe
http://www.dep.no/europaportalen/english/bn.html
http://www.fm.fylkesbibl.no/sider/02_fylkesbiblioteket/fylkesbibliotek_noru.html
Living and visiting Oslo
http://www.visitoslo.com
Skiing in Oslo
http://www.skioslo.no
DogA Norwegian design and Architecture Centre
http://www.doga.no
Event calendar of big Ibsen year in Norway
http://www.ibsen.net
The Nobel peace centre in Oslo
http://www.nobelpeacecenter.org
Guide to restaurants
http://www.restaurantguiden.no
Fishing permits in Verdal River
Fishing permits in Fosen Peninsula
Fishing permits in Stjørdal River
Fishing permits in Drammen River
Fishing permits in Mandal River
Norwegian National Parks
http://www.dirnat.no/content.ap?thisId=2991&;language=0
INN- International Network of Norway
http://www.chamber.no/tekster.cfm?artid=127
Weather statistics for Trondheim
http://www.worldweather.org/008/c00907.htm
Weather statistics for Tromsø
http://www.worldweather.org/008/c00023.htm
