A visa is a prior check on entry to Norway and the rest of the Schengen area. Section 9 of the Immigration Act (utlendingsloven) sets out the main rule that foreign nationals must have a visa to enter Norway, unless an exemption has been made in the Regulations. A visa does not give an unconditional right of entry: the traveller is checked again at the border.
The Schengen cooperation
Norway 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. The cooperation removes person checks at the internal borders, and in return the Schengen countries have common rules on control of the external borders, a common visa policy and closer police cooperation.
The external Schengen border consists of land and sea borders with third countries and airports and ports with traffic to and from countries outside the Schengen area. In Norway, border control takes place at external border crossing points, including the land border with Russia.
Visa requirement and exemptions
The exemptions from the visa requirement are set out in Section 3-1 of the Immigration Regulations (utlendingsforskriften). Among others, the following are exempt:
citizens of EEA and EFTA countries (first paragraph 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); and
nationals of countries that are exempt from the visa requirement under Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, listed in Annex 5 to the Regulations (letter e).
Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 sets out the common Schengen lists of countries whose nationals require a visa and those who are exempt. Norway follows the same list through Annex 5. Under Section 3-1 second paragraph, the exemption does not apply to Georgian diplomatic, service and official passports. Visa-free stays are limited to three months within a period of six months (Section 9 fourth paragraph of the Act).
The three types of visa
1. Schengen visa (Section 10 of the Act)
A Schengen visa is used for short stays. Under Section 3-9 of the Regulations, it gives the right to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Under Section 10 first paragraph, the applicant has a right to a visa 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.
Under Section 10 second paragraph, an exception may be made from the right to a visa 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. A visa may also be refused if it is likely that the applicant or their child from a previous relationship will be abused or seriously exploited (Section 10 fourth paragraph).
2. Visa on humanitarian grounds etc. (Section 11 of the Act)
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). It does not give a right to transit through other Schengen countries (Section 3-12 of the Regulations). Applications under Section 11 are decided by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), see Section 13 of the Act.
3. Entry visa (Section 12 of the Act)
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 (Section 12). More detailed rules are found in Section 3-13 of the Regulations. For example, a person who has applied for renewal of a residence permit within the deadline may be granted an entry visa while the application is being processed (Section 3-13 sixth paragraph).
The assessment of the application
When the basic conditions in Section 10 are met, the application is assessed against the exception in Section 10 second paragraph. A central question is often whether there is a risk that the applicant will not leave the Schengen area before the visa expires. This is weighed against the applicant’s need to visit Norway, such as a family visit, illness or death in the family, or business. Section 10 third paragraph states that particular weight must be given to children’s need for contact with their parents in this assessment.
The Visa Information System (VIS)
The Schengen countries share information about visa applications through the Visa Information System (VIS). Fingerprints are taken when a person applies for a visa for the first time (Section 3-17 first paragraph of the Regulations).
Decision-making authority
Under Section 13 of the Act, visa applications are decided by UDI. The authority to decide Schengen visas and entry visas may be delegated to the foreign service and to the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren), and the authority to decide Schengen visas may also be delegated to the foreign service of another Schengen country. Section 3-14 of the Regulations contains the detailed rules, including the arrangements under which other Schengen countries process visa applications on Norway’s behalf.
This matters in places where Norway has no foreign mission. Certain cases, among them applications from refugees and stateless persons, cases of doubt and cases involving SIS registrations, are submitted to UDI.
Validity, multiple entries and extension
A Schengen visa is issued for a specific period and for one, two or multiple entries, according to the purpose of the visit. The validity of a visa cannot exceed five years (Section 3-9 of the Regulations).
A visa may in some cases be extended, up to a total of 90 days. The police decide applications for extension (Section 3-19 of the Regulations).
Emergency visa
Where a visa-required foreign national arrives at the border without a visa, a visa may in exceptional cases be issued at the border if there are unforeseen and compelling reasons why the person could not apply in advance (Section 3-18 of the Regulations).
EES and ETIAS
The Entry/Exit System (EES) registers third-country nationals on 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. Check the current status of ETIAS before you travel.
Asylum seekers at the border
Visa rules are a tool for immigration control, but asylum seekers are treated differently. Under Section 9 first paragraph of the Act, a foreign national at the Norwegian border who seeks protection has the right to enter without a visa. The exceptions are where the King in Council has made a decision under the Act’s crisis rules, and at the border with a Nordic neighbouring country (Section 9 first paragraph letters a and b). Under Section 5 a of the Immigration Act, a case under the Act may be started during screening under Regulation (EU) 2024/1356, cf. Section 8 first paragraph no. 6 of the Border Control Act.
Key points
The main rule is that a visa is required, but the visa exemptions follow from Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 and Annex 5 to the Regulations.
There is a right to a Schengen visa when the conditions in Section 10 are met, unless immigration control considerations or other grounds for refusal speak against it.
A visa under Section 11 is valid only for Norway and is decided by UDI.
EES applies at the external border, and ETIAS applies as law under Section 9 a.
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.
