Norway Immigration & Visa Guide

Visitor visas, study permits, work (skilled & seasonal), family immigration, application steps, processing times and what to do after arrival.

Overview

Norway is part of the Schengen area. Short visits (up to 90 days in a 180-day period) usually require a Schengen visitor visa for nationals of many countries. Stays longer than 90 days (work, study, family reunification, long-term stays) require the appropriate residence permit applied for through the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Main permit & visa types

Short-stay Visitor (Schengen) Visa

For tourism, visiting friends or business trips up to 90 days. This visa allows entry to Norway and other Schengen countries. You normally apply at the Norwegian embassy or the visa application centre in your country and may need to give biometrics.

Typical processing time: usually within 15 days (can be longer if referred to UDI or other checks apply). Apply well in advance. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Study (Residence permit for studies)

If you’re a non-EU/EEA national and admitted to a Norwegian institution you must apply for a study residence permit. You must document admission, sufficient funds to cover living costs (official guidance lists monthly and annual minimum amounts), and pay the application fee. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Work & Skilled Workers

Non-EU/EEA nationals need a residence permit to work. For skilled workers you typically need a job offer, required qualifications (degree, vocational training or experience), and salary and working conditions that meet Norwegian standards. Salary thresholds and rules are adjusted periodically — recent updates increased minimum salary requirements for skilled-worker permits. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Family Immigration

If you have a close family member in Norway (spouse, registered partner, cohabitant, or certain parents/children), you may be eligible to apply for family reunification or a family residence permit. Rules differ by relationship and by whether the sponsor is an EU/EEA national. Most family applications must be submitted from your home country. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

How to apply — step by step

  1. Find the right permit: Use UDI’s “Want to apply” pages to identify whether you need a visitor visa or a residence permit for work, study or family reunification. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  2. Create an application online: Most residence permit applications are started via UDI’s application portal. For Schengen visas you register and book an appointment at your local visa application centre/embassy.
  3. Prepare documentation: Common documents: passport, job offer/letter of admission, proof of funds, criminal record certificate (if requested), proof of accommodation, passport photos, and translations where needed.
  4. Pay fees & attend biometrics/interview: You’ll often pay a fee and attend an in-person appointment to submit documents and biometric data (fingerprints, photo).
  5. Wait for decision: Regular Schengen decisions are often within 15 days; residence permit processing times vary and can be longer — embassies or UDI will indicate expected times. If the embassy refers the case to UDI, processing can take longer. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  6. If approved: You will usually receive a visa sticker (for short stays) or instructions to collect your residence card/ID after arrival from the local police or UDI office.

Documentation checklist (typical)

  • Valid passport (with at least 2 blank pages and validity beyond intended stay).
  • Completed application form & reference number.
  • Employment contract or university admission letter.
  • Proof of adequate funds (bank statements, scholarship letters etc.).
  • Proof of accommodation in Norway.
  • Passport photos meeting specifications; translations if documents not in English/Norwegian.

Fees & processing times

Fees depend on visa/permit type and the applicant’s nationality. Schengen visa decisions are usually made within 15 days; UDI and local police processing times for residence permits vary widely by case type and workload — in some instances processing may take several weeks to months. For the most reliable estimates check the UDI pages and the local Norwegian embassy/consulate. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Salary & wage rules: To be granted many work residence permits your salary and employment conditions must be in line with Norwegian norms. UDI updates salary thresholds — for example, new salary levels came into effect from 1 September 2025 for certain skilled-worker categories. Always confirm current thresholds before applying. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

After arrival in Norway

  • Register with the police (if required) and collect your residence card/permit documentation.
  • Obtain a D-number or personal ID number from the Tax Administration if you will be staying and working — this is needed for tax, bank accounts, and health services.
  • Register for the National Health Insurance if eligible through work or residency.
  • Open a Norwegian bank account (requires ID and often a D-number/ID number).

Extensions, permanent residence & citizenship

You can apply to extend qualifying residence permits before they expire. After a required period of lawful residence (rules depend on the permit type) you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. Citizenship has additional requirements such as minimum residence time, language and social studies requirements. Check UDI and the Norwegian Directorate of Police pages for the exact qualifying periods and rules. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Official resources & where to apply

  • UDI — Directorate of Immigration (Norway) — main portal for residence permits, visa categories and application guidance. (Official source for all permit rules.) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
  • Local Norwegian embassy / consulate pages — country-specific instructions, visa booking and biometrics locations.
  • Visa application centres (e.g. VFSGlobal) — for document submission and biometric appointments in many countries. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Need help? Consider contacting a registered immigration adviser or lawyer if your case is complex (appeals, complex family cases or refusals).

Last updated: Oct 2025. This page summarizes official guidance — always verify current rules and thresholds on the official UDI website and your local Norwegian mission before applying.