General information
- Japan has signed a visa exemption agreement, and Japanese citizens need not apply for a Schengen Visa. In the case where a stay in Schengen will exceed 90 days, a Residence Permit will be required.
- A Schengen Visa may be granted to applicants who are going to Norway for tourism, business, family visit, etc., when the intention is to return to the applicant's country of residence afterwards. An application for a first-time temporary residence permit must as a rule be submitted before entering Norway. The visa does not confer the right to work (paid or unpaid) or to engage in business activity in Norway.
- Applicants may stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area in any six months period. After a period of 90 days in Schengen, the applicant is not allowed to enter Schengen again before a new 90 day period has passed.
- It is not possible to apply more than 90 days before the intended journey. If the application is approved, the applicant's last date of entry to Schengen is 6 months from when the decision was made.
- An extension of a visa can only be given in exceptional cases, and only in those cases where the applicant has been granted a visa for less than 90 days. An application for a visa extension must be submitted to the police.
- Applicants intending to visit one Schengen country should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of that country.
- Applicants intending to visit several Schengen countries should apply to the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is the main destination (i.e. where the applicant will spend the most days).
- Applicants intending to visit several Schengen countries, but do not have a main destination (i.e. the applicant intends to spend an equal amount of days in each country), should apply to the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country which is the first port of entry.
- The issue of Schengen visas is discretionary and depends on examination of each individual case, including purpose of visit and intention to return.
Schengen Visa - List of required documents
Please submit one copy (in addition to the original) of all documents
- Signed copy of cover letter which can be printed out after completing an online application. Or one properly filled out paper application.
- 1 photo (3,5 cm x 4,5 cm)
- Original passport (valid for at least 3 months after departure from Schengen)
- Previous passports and past visas / stamps to Schengen and other countries.
- Proof of occupation
• If currently employed, original “Certificate of Employment” stating position, length of service, salary and duration of approved leave of absence.
• If self-employed, certification of registered business and latest original Income Tax Statement or other original proof of annual income.
• If a student, original certification of enrolment from the school where the applicant is presently enrolled and photocopy of valid school identification card (original to be presented); If applicant is going on a holiday during the summer/semestral break, present an original certification of reservation or certification of enrolment to prove that he/she is enrolled for the next school year/semester.
- Letter of invitation and a copy of the passport of the person inviting. If the person inviting is not a Nordic citizen, a copy of the most recent Residence Permit in Norway must be submitted. The invitation must contain information about the purpose of your visit. It should therefore contain complete and relevant information about the person extending the invitation, the invited person and their relationship to each other (including information about any family relationship), along with the purpose of the stay to be covered by the visa. The invitation should also state whether the person extending the invitation is also standing as a financial guarantor for the applicant.
- Original UDI Guarantee Form for Visits (Norwegian only) - Stamped and signed by the Norwegian Police. This guarantee form must not be older than 3 months from the date of issue at the time of application. The lower part of the form (“name of visitor”) with name and signature must also be completed. The guarantee form is not required for business and organized tours. NB: Please note that a guarantee form is not a substitution for an invitation letter. Both documents are required.
- Proof of sufficient funds - Bank certification or bank book showing available funds (not necessary if UDI Guarantee Form for Visit is submitted).
- Purpose of visit
• Family visit: Proof of relationship
• Tourism: Travel plans and accomodation
1: Organized Tour: Full travel itinerary
2: Private tour: Travel plan including all countries / cities to be visited, information about accommodation and transport.
• Business: Original letter of invitation from the Norwegian Business Partner
- Travel insurance (or reservation of insurance) covering Europe and valid for the duration of the visa. Minimum coverage 30,000 EURO for each item in case of accident, illness, including travel home. Proof of actual coverage may be presented after a positive decision on the visa application.
- Side trips: Applicants who also intend to visit other countries must submit a travel plan when applying, detailing where the applicant will stay and how the applicant will travel, as well as information on how many days the applicant will stay in the different countries. If the application is approved, the applicant will be asked to submit proof of transport and accommodation for the entire trip. If, at this point, it turns out that the main destination has changed, the visa will not be issued.
- Application fee: EUR 60,- (adults) / EUR 35 (children aged 6-12). Payable by VISA or MasterCard on the Application Portal
OR
JPY 6800,-. To be paid in cash upon delivery of paper application.
Please note that additional documentation may be required.
Important
- An application will not be completed until all necessary supporting documents are delivered.
- The application fee is non refundable once an application has been lodged.
- There is no guarantee that a visa will be granted, so keep this in mind when booking flight and lodging.
- The ticket must be in accordance with what has been approved. E.g. If the applicant has applied for 15 days and has been informed that the application has been granted, the tickets must not exceed 15 days.
- The maximum stay is 90 days, so if the applicant has applied for 90 days and this has been approved, tickets for up to 90 days may be submitted.
- The Embassy has to check the number of days when tickets are submitted. Tickets that exceed 90 days or is not in accordance with what has been granted, will not be accepted.
Minors (Under the age of 18)
- Original family register
- Passports of both parents
- Original Letter of Parental Consent to apply for and obtain a Schengen Visa signed by both parents.
If only one parent has sole custody of the child, the Court Decision awarding custody to the one parent must be submitted. If the other parent is dead, the Death Certificate must be submitted.
NB: For the protection of children, the above documents will be verified and a longer processing time must be expected.
Applicants exempted from paying the Visa Fee
- Children under 6 years
- School pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purpose of study or educational training
- Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research, as per specific rules
- Applicants related to (spouse, descendant or dependent ascendant of) EEA citizen who are exercising their right to free movement (on production of relevant certificates (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
More information
For more information about visa applications, please see: http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Central-topics/Visa/
For more information about application procedures, please click here.
To go straight to the Application Portal, please click here.
Further inquiries and questions to the Embassy concerning visa and residence permits can be sent by e-mail to consular.tokyo@mfa.no.