Do Indians need a visa for Norway? Everything You Must Know

Do Indians Need a Visa for Norway?

Yes — Indian passport holders are required to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Norway. Norway visa is a member of the Schengen Area, and Indian nationals must obtain a short-stay visitor visa (Schengen visa) from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi via VFS Global before entering—for stays up to 90 days over a 180-day period.

Diplomatic passport holders of India traveling officially may be exempted, but all others must apply.

Norway Visa for Indian Citizens: Application Essentials

Visa Types & Purpose

• Schengen Visitor Visa (up to 90 days): for tourism, business, family visits.

• Residence Permits (over 90 days): for long‑term stays—student, work, family reunification.

Applying Through VFS Global

• Submit your application at a VFS Global centre across India.

• The physical processing is handled by Norway’s Embassy in New Delhi.

Timeline: When to Apply?

• You may submit your application up to 6 months before travel (9 months for seafarers), and no later than 15 calendar days before your intended trip.

• Standard processing is about 15 working days. However, delays during peak season or in special cases may extend up to 45 working days or more.

Document Checklist

1. Passport – issued within last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond departure, and with at least 2 blank pages 

2. Visa application form (complete online via UDI portal).

3. Recent passport-size photos (35×45 mm, per Schengen specs).

4. Travel medical insurance, covering at least €30,000, valid across Schengen countries.

5. Proof of accommodation – hotel booking, rental agreement, or invitation letter.

6. Proof of sufficient funds – bank statements, salary slips, income tax returns. As a guideline, NOK 500 per day (~INR 3,700) is minimally required if self‑funding; ~INR 3,00,000 per person is often suggested.

7. Travel itinerary – round‑trip flight reservations (temporary bookings acceptable at application stage) .

8. Supporting documents per visa type: for business, invitation letter; for studies, admission letter, etc.

9. Biometric data – fingerprints and photograph during appointment (if first-time applicant).

10. Additional personal ties documents (e.g. property, employer NOC)—especially if travelling solo or first-time applicant.

Processing Time Expectations & Real Experiences

• Official processing time: about 15 working days, but can extend up to 45-60 days during peak seasons or complexities .

• Reddit user experiences confirm typical timelines ranging from 2–3 weeks, but during summer or heavy load, some applicants took up to 2 months.

• Applicants report quicker turnaround with full documentation and early submission.

• Apply early—ideally 6–8 weeks ahead of your travel date.

• Use temporary flight itineraries for paperwork; finalize booking only after visa approval.

• Submit strong financial proof and ties to India (employment letters, property docs, tax returns), especially for first-time or solo travellers.

• Consider highlighting past Schengen visa history—applicants with two or more used visas in last 3 years may be eligible for a 2-year multi-entry visa, and potentially even a 5-year visa based on embassy discretion.

Summary

In short:

• Yes, Indians need a visa to visit Norway. It's mandatory to apply in advance.

• Use the proper Norway visa for Indian citizens (Schengen visitor visa) process.

• Get all documents ready, apply early, and present strong ties to India.

• Allow sufficient time—expect 2–6 weeks, depending on season and completeness.

Need help with specific visa category (student, business, digital nomad), or a draft cover letter/document checklist? Just let me know!