Application Procedure
The fastest way to apply is via the Application Portal. Then, the applicant does not have to queue up at the Embassy and the application is given priority over the paper applications.
Sponsors in Norway / Denmark / Iceland can do this part of the application for applicants who are unable to do it themselves.
Correct Documents / Complete Applications
Before travelling to the Embassy, applicants should check the Embassy's website and make sure they have all the required documents for the type of application they intend to submit.
The list of required documents may change over time and one should not rely on old printouts. For more information on required documents, please click here.
Applicants with incomplete applications, will be given the options of either coming back an other day with a complete application (the applicant will be given a list of the missing documents) or hand in an incomplete application (which may lead to the application being rejected). The applicant must sign a paper where he / she ticks off the desired choice.
When the applicant has handed in all the supporting documents at the Embassy and done the interview, the Embassy starts the processing of the case.
Processing Times
The general processing time for Schengen Visas is 3-5 days * for online applications (Application Portal).
The general processing time for Paper Applications (Schengen Visas) is 15 days *.
* Most Schengen Visas are handled at the Embassy, but some cases are sent to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration or the Danish Immigration Service. In these cases, the processing times are 30-60 days.
For Processing Times for Norway, please click here.
For Processing Times for Denmark, please click here.
Status Enquiries / Follow-ups
Before making a follow-up, applicants are respectfully requested to first check the current processing time for their type of application.
If the processing time has not been exceeded, follow-ups should not be made (the answer is that 'The application is in a queue').
The main reason for the long processing time is that people make follow-ups before the processing time has been exceeded.
That means that case handlers spend their time speaking / writing to applicants / sponsors, instead of processing cases.
If there is anything missing in the application or if the Embassy requires any further information, the applicant (or the person with Power of Attorney) will be contacted.
Notification of Decision
When the Embassy has made a decision in the case, the applicant will be informed. As mentioned above, applicants are respectfully requested not to make follow-ups before the given processing time has been exceeded.
Important - Power of Attorney ('Fullmakt')
If the case is handled by the Directorate of Immigration in Oslo and the applicant has given Power of Attorney to someone else (e.g. the husband, a friend in Norway, etc), the UDI informs the person with Power of Attorney. It is then the responsibility of the person with Power of Attorney to inform the applicant. The Embassy will not inform the applicant in these cases.
Tickets
The Embassy recommends that applicants / sponsors do not buy tickets before the application has been approved. Only a reservation (not a booking) should be submitted when applying for a Schengen Visa.
The approval is valid for the amount of days applied for, unless otherwise stated. The number of days may not be increased after the approval.
Visa Issuance
Applicants that have been informed that their application has been approved and the Visa is ready for collection may pick it up between 09.00-15.00, Mon-Thurs and 09.00-12.00 on Fridays.
Rejections
If an application has been rejected, the applicant or the person with Power of Attorney may appeal the decision. For information on how to do this, please click here.
For more information about Visas, please click here.