Foreign nationals who plan to visit Norway need to know whether they need a visa, and if so, which type. The rules are found in chapter 2 of the Immigration Act (utlendingsloven) and chapter 3 of the Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften). For Schengen visas, the EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009) applies as a regulation in Norway (Section 3-4 of the Regulations).
Norway and the Schengen cooperation
Norway is not a member of the European Union, but has taken part in the Schengen cooperation since 25 March 2001. The Schengen area consists of the EU member states except Ireland and Cyprus, together with Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Ireland takes part in certain parts of the cooperation.
For travellers, this means that:
a Schengen visa issued by another Schengen country also gives access to Norway, within the visa’s validity;
there are as a rule no systematic passport checks at the borders between Schengen countries; and
border control of travellers from outside the Schengen area takes place at the external border.
Types of visa
The Immigration Act distinguishes between three types of visa:
Schengen visa (Section 10): a visa for visits of up to three months within a period of six months. Under Section 3-9 of the Regulations, a Schengen visa gives the right to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and can be issued for one, two or multiple entries.
Visa on humanitarian grounds etc. (Section 11): where necessary on humanitarian grounds, for reasons of national interest or because of international obligations, a visa for up to three months may be issued even if the conditions in Section 10 are not met. Such a visa is valid only for entry into and stay in Norway (Section 11 second paragraph), and it does not give a right to transit through other Schengen countries (Section 3-12 of the Regulations).
Entry visa (Section 12): a foreign national who is granted a residence permit, or who intends to stay in Norway until a residence permit has been granted, may be granted a visa for entry. More detailed rules are in Section 3-13 of the Regulations.
Conditions for a Schengen visa
Under Section 10 first paragraph, an applicant has a right to a visa for a visit of up to three months within six months if:
the applicant has a valid travel document or documents that allow border crossing;
the applicant can show that the planned purpose of the stay is likely, and has sufficient means of subsistence both for the stay and for the return journey (or transit to a third country where entry is guaranteed), or can acquire such means lawfully;
the applicant is not registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) for the purpose of refusal of entry; and
the applicant is not considered a threat to public order, internal security, public health or the international relations of Norway or other Schengen countries.
The right to a visa may be limited where immigration control considerations speak against granting a visa, or where there are circumstances that would give grounds for refusing entry or stay under other provisions of the Act (Section 10 second paragraph). In this assessment, particular weight must be given to children’s need for contact with their parents (Section 10 third paragraph). The assessment is individual.
Visa exemptions
Under Section 3-1 first paragraph of the Regulations, the following groups, among others, are exempt from the visa requirement:
citizens of EEA and EFTA countries (letter b);
family members of EEA nationals who hold a residence card issued by another EEA country (letter c);
holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country (letter d; see also Section 9 second paragraph of the Act); and
nationals of countries that are exempt from the visa requirement under Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, as set out in Annex 5 to the Regulations (letter e).
The visa exemption follows from the common Schengen list in Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, not from separate bilateral agreements. Visa-free stays are limited to three months within a period of six months (Section 9 fourth paragraph of the Act).
Who decides visa applications
Under Section 13 of the Act, visa applications are decided by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). The authority to decide Schengen visas and entry visas may also be delegated to the foreign service and to the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren), and the authority to decide Schengen visas may be delegated to the foreign service of another Schengen country. Visas on humanitarian grounds under Section 11 are decided by UDI.
Section 3-14 of the Regulations contains the detailed rules. Applications from certain groups, among them refugees and stateless persons, as well as cases of doubt and cases involving SIS registrations, are submitted to UDI.
The Visa Information System (VIS)
Norway takes part in the Visa Information System (VIS), the common Schengen database for visa applications. Fingerprints are taken when a person applies for a visa for the first time (Section 3-17 first paragraph of the Regulations).
Multiple-entry visas
A Schengen visa may be issued for multiple entries. Its validity period cannot exceed five years (Section 3-9 of the Regulations). Each stay must still be within the limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.
Emergency visas
In exceptional cases, a visa may be issued at the border where the applicant, for unforeseen and compelling reasons, has not been able to apply for a visa in advance (Section 3-18 of the Regulations). A foreign national at the Norwegian border who seeks protection has the right to enter without a visa (Section 9 first paragraph of the Act and Section 3-18 fourth paragraph of the Regulations), with the exceptions set out in Section 9.
Extension of a visa
A visa may in some cases be extended, up to a total of 90 days. The police decide extension applications (Section 3-19 of the Regulations).
EES and ETIAS
The Entry/Exit System (EES) registers third-country nationals travelling for short stays when they cross the external Schengen border. Norway began gradual implementation on 12 October 2025, and the system has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. In Norway, the legal basis is Section 8 first paragraph no. 2 of the Border Control Act (grenseloven). Norwegian citizens and holders of a Norwegian residence permit are not registered.
ETIAS is the European travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers. Under Section 9 a of the Immigration Act, the ETIAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1240) applies as law in Norway. The National Police Immigration Service is the data controller for ETIAS in Norway (Section 3-3a of the Regulations). Check the current status of ETIAS before you travel.
EEA and EFTA citizens
Citizens of EEA and EFTA countries are exempt from the visa requirement. Their right to enter and stay in Norway is governed by chapter 13 of the Immigration Act. This article concerns third-country nationals.
Key points
Norway follows the common Schengen visa rules, and a Schengen visa is valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
A visa under Section 11 is valid only for Norway.
Visa exemption follows from Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 and Annex 5 to the Regulations.
UDI is the main decision-making authority, but Schengen visas are usually processed by foreign missions or by another Schengen country on Norway’s behalf.
Apply well in advance of your intended travel date.
How we can help
We assist foreign nationals, families and businesses with visa applications, refusals and appeals. Contact us if you would like Advokatfirmaet Sterk AS to look at your situation.
This article provides general information as of 29 October 2026 and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
