Norway Visa from UK — Quick Facts (2026)
- Visa required for non-exempt UK BRP holders
- UK passport holders: visa-free up to 90 days
- Processing time: 7- 15 days
- Minimum funds: NOK 500 per day
- Appointment: VFS Global UK
What is a Norway Schengen Visa?
A Norway Schengen Visa is a short-stay permit that allows non-visa-exempt individuals to travel to Norway and throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) determines the rules for these applications, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy and its official partner, VFS Global, handle the processing and collection of paperwork in the UK.
Who needs a visa for Norway from UK?
People from the UK with a UK passport don't need a visitor's visa to visit Norway as tourists. But if you want to stay longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a residence permit. You will need a residence permit if you want to work in Norway, whether you get paid or not.
- If you are a citizen of a country that does not have a visa waiver agreement with the EU (like India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, etc.) and you live in the UK on a BRP or settled status, you need to apply for a Norway Schengen visa.
- UK Passport Holders (ETIAS): British citizens do not need a Schengen Visa for stays under 90 days.
- BRP Holders from Exempt Nations: If you are a US, Canadian, or Australian citizen living in the UK, you remain visa-exempt for short tourism stays but will also need a valid ETIAS.
Norway Visa UK: Application Process, Fees, and VFS Appointments
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) determines the rules for these applications. The Royal Norwegian Embassy and its official partner, VFS Global, handle the processing and collection of papers in the UK.
1. Select the Norway visa types
| Visa Type |
Best For |
Key Requirement |
Stay Duration |
| Tourist Visa |
It is best for sightseeing, Northern Lights, and fjord tours. |
Confirmed hotel & flight bookings. |
Up to 90 Days |
| Family/Friend Visit |
You are visiting residents or relatives in Norway. |
Guarantee form for visits (sponsorship). |
Up to 90 Days |
| Medical Visa |
Specialised treatment in Norwegian clinics. |
The medical certificate and proof of payment are required. |
Up to 90 Days |
Fast processing • Expert guidance • Secure application
Tips for the Norway visa application
- Always apply at least 15 days before you plan to travel, but preferably much earlier. As the courier can't deliver documents to all countries, we suggest that you apply at least 4 weeks before you leave.
- Apply up to six months before your planned travel date, or nine months if you are a sailor.
- We suggest that you wait to buy your ticket until you have your visa.
- You have to register your application online first, then you can bring in the necessary paperwork.
2. Checklist: Norway Schengen Visa Required Documents (UK 2026)
- Valid Passport: Issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages and 3 months' validity remaining after you leave Norway.
- UK Residence Permit (BRP): Original BRP or a UKVI Share Code to prove your legal status (must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your return).
- Application Cover Letter: A signed printout of the cover letter received via email after registering on the UDI Application Portal.
- Passport Photo: One recent (less than 6-month-old) colour photo meeting ICAO biometric standards.
- Travel Medical Insurance: Proof of coverage for at least €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation, valid across the entire Schengen Area.
- Flight Itinerary: Round-trip flight reservations showing clear entry and exit dates (do not purchase tickets until the visa is granted).
- Accommodation Proof: Confirmed hotel reservations or an official UDI guarantee form if you're staying with family or friends.
- Financial Subsistence: Recent bank statements (last 3 months) showing at least NOK 500 (approx. £38) available for each day of your trip.
- Employment/Study Proof: Employees: A recent signed letter from your employer + last 3 payslips.
- Self-Employed: Letter from an accountant/banker + most recent tax return.
- Students: An official enrolment letter from your UK school or university.
3. Book your Norway Visa Appointment at VFS Global
Norway's visa centres in the UK are run by VFS Global. You can't just walk in; you have to make an appointment at one of these three places:
- London (66 Wilson Street)
- Manchester (50 Devonshire Street)
- Edinburgh (1 Burnbank Terrace)
Tip: You need to make an appointment four weeks in advance for the busiest times (May to August). Schengen Travel Agency can help you arrange your slot in VFS for an appointment earlier.
4. Attend the Visa Application Centre
Arrive at your appointment at least 15 minutes early.
- Submit Documents: Hand over your passport and the checklist of documents we prepared for you.
- Biometrics: VFS will take your digital photograph and a 10-digit fingerprint scan.
5. Passport Collection
You will receive an email or SMS once a decision is made.
- Pickup: Present your receipt to the VFS centre for retrieval.
- Courier: For an additional fee of approximately £20, UPS/DX delivery is available at your appointment.
What is the processing time for a Norway visa from UK?
The embassy usually takes 15 days to complete a visa application from the UK to Norway. If your case is submitted to the UDI in Norway or at busy periods, it might take up to 45 days. We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before your vacation.
Norway Visa Application Fees (UK 2026)
| Visa Type |
Consulate VISA FEE (IN GBP) |
Visa Centre Fee in GBP |
Our Handling Charges In GBP |
Total Online Payable (Visa Fee + Our Charges) |
| Tourism/Visitor/Family & Friends/Business |
£80 |
£23 |
£258 |
£281 |
| Family member of an EEA/EU citizen |
£80 |
£23 |
£258 |
£281 |
| Long-stay Single/Multiple Entry |
£77 |
£23 |
£258 |
£281 |
| Children between 6 and 12 years old |
£40 |
£23 |
£258 |
£281 |
| Children less than 6 years old |
£0 |
£23 |
£258 |
£281 |
Schengen Travel Agency: Your Global Norway Visa Expert
Schengen Travel Agency simplifies intricate immigration processes through its operations in the United Kingdom. We have been offering exceptional support to travellers travelling to the Schengen Area for more than a decade, with a particular emphasis on Norway Schengen Visas for residents of our global network.
Our Specialised Norway Visa Services (2026 Update)
- Documentation Guidelines: We offer a personalised checklist that is tailored to your residency status (BRP, Iqama, or Emirates ID). Our professionals help you to manage your travel insurance (€30,000 coverage) and proof of funds (NOK 500/day) to satisfy the rigorous UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) requirements.
- Application Assistance: We manage your registration on the UDI Application Portal, accurately completing the digital forms and generating your mandatory Schengen Cover Letter.
- VFS Global Appointment Booking: Skip the wait. We monitor and secure your biometrics appointment at VFS Global Centres in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dubai, Riyadh, or your local city, ensuring your file is submitted within the 6-month window.
- Professional Visa Support Letters: We draft customised cover letters and personal itineraries that clearly explain your travel intentions. It is essential for successful Norway visa approvals.
- Processing and Tracking: We monitor your application in real time, ensuring that you are informed as your passport progresses from the embassy to collection, despite the standard 7–15-day embassy processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Norway Schengen Visa From UK
To secure a Norway visa UK appointment, you must first register and pay the fee on the UDI Application Portal. Once you register, you can book your biometric slots with VFS Global, which operates centres in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Yes, a Norway Schengen visa is mandatory for UK BRP holders if their nationality is not on the EU’s visa-exempt list (e.g., citizens of India, Pakistan, China, or Nigeria). Your UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) allows you to live in the UK, but it does not grant visa-free entry to the Schengen Area. Conversely, BRP holders with passports from visa-exempt countries (e.g., USA, Australia, Japan) do not need a visa for short stays.
Official UDI rules say you need to show that you have at least NOK 500 (about £38) available for each day you are in Norway. Bank statements from the last three to six months that are stamped must be used as proof.
Generally, no, all applicants must have a pre-booked Norway visa appointment at VFS Global. However, walk-ins are permitted specifically for tourism via recognised cruises departing from the UK to Norway. This service is available Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM. Note: Fjord sightseeing tours departing from Norway are ineligible.
Yes. You must provide proof of travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000. The policy must be valid for the whole Schengen Area and cover all costs related to repatriation, urgent medical care, and emergency hospital treatment.