Norway · Tourist Visa
Tourist and visitor visa requirements, visa-free entry, duration, and application steps.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Norway is in the Schengen Area, so short tourist visits are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-required nationals apply for a visitor visa through UDI; visa-exempt nationals need no visa but must still meet the entry conditions. A Norwegian visitor visa is valid for entry to all Schengen countries, and tourist status does not permit ordinary employment.
Norway is in the Schengen Area. Short tourist visits are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period; visa-required nationals apply for a visitor visa, while visa-exempt nationals must still meet entry conditions.
- A Norwegian visitor visa is valid for entry to all Schengen countries.
- Tourist status does not permit ordinary employment.
- Check passport, travel insurance and funds requirements before booking.
- The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has operated at Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026: non-EU visitors are registered biometrically on entry and exit instead of having passports stamped.
- 1
Check whether you need a visitor visa
Check your nationality on the UDI site. Visa-exempt travellers still have to satisfy the Schengen entry conditions at the border.
- 2
Apply through UDI
Register the application online with UDI, pay the fee, then book an appointment at the Norwegian mission or its service provider to submit documents and biometrics.
- 3
Prepare passport, insurance and funds
Check the passport-validity, travel-insurance and funds requirements before booking flights — these are assessed rather than assumed.
- 4
Note the visa covers the whole Schengen Area
A Norwegian visitor visa admits you to all Schengen countries, but Norway should be your main destination or first entry point when you apply.
- 5
Count your 90/180 days correctly
The limit is a rolling calculation across all Schengen countries combined, not per country. Track entries and exits across the whole area.
- Visa requirement checked on the UDI site
- Application registered and fee paid
- Appointment booked for documents and biometrics
- Passport validity, insurance and funds checked
- Norway is your main destination or first entry point
- No ordinary employment planned
- 90/180 day count tracked across all Schengen states
- UDI — visitor visa
Official visitor-visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Norwegian visitor visa work for other Schengen countries?
Yes — it is a Schengen visa, valid for entry to all Schengen countries. You should still apply through Norway only when Norway is your main destination or your first point of entry.
Do visa-exempt travellers have to prove anything at the border?
Yes. Being visa-exempt removes the visa, not the entry conditions — you can still be asked about your purpose, funds, insurance and onward travel.
Can I work on a Norwegian visitor visa?
No. Tourist status does not permit ordinary employment. Working in Norway requires a separate residence permit for work, applied for through UDI.
Government portals
- Skatteetaten — Norwegian Tax Administration — D-number and national identity number, tax deduction card, and the tax return.
- Brønnøysund Register Centre — Company registration and the public register of Norwegian businesses.
- Altinn — Digital Services Portal — Where businesses and individuals file forms and reports to the state.
- NAV — Labour and Welfare Administration — Employment services, unemployment benefit, parental leave and pensions.