People applying for a Norway visa are usually surprised by one number: 25 days. When most Schengen countries answer in 10–15 days in Baku, why does Norway take so long? The answer is simple: Norway has no visa section in Baku, so documents go from the VFS Global centre to the embassy in Ankara, the decision is made there and the passport comes back. That is the key point to allow for when planning a trip to Norway’s fjords and northern lights.
This article explains how the process works, the fees, Norway’s attention to financial documents, the timetable by season and the flight options from Baku to Oslo.
Norway visa: the essentials
| Visa type | «C» type Schengen visa |
| Consular fee | 35 euros; free under 12 |
| Where documents go | VFS Global Baku centre |
| Centre’s service charge | About 21 euros |
| Decision | Up to 25 days: 10 days processing, 15 days courier to Ankara |
| Direct flights | None; via Istanbul |
| Currency | Norwegian krone |
How to get a Norway visa
Norway’s embassy responsible for Azerbaijan is in Ankara. The application is filled in online on Norway’s UDI portal, the fee is paid there, and then an appointment is booked at the VFS Global centre in Baku. On the appointment day documents and fingerprints are given, the package goes by courier to Ankara, the decision is made and the passport returns to Baku. The Norwegian embassy states a total of up to 25 days: 10 days processing and 15 days for the courier both ways. The official explanation is on the visa page of Norway’s embassy in Ankara.
The same VFS centre takes documents for Denmark and Iceland, because Norway represents those countries in Baku. So on a Scandinavian route you apply for whichever country you stay in longest, and the address does not change.
Documents for a Norway visa
Norway is among Europe’s most expensive countries and the embassy looks at financial documents accordingly. For a week-long trip you should show at least the equivalent of 1500–2000 euros in a bank account and account for the source of the money through salary or income.
Read next: Iceland visa: the Norwegian centre, a decision in Ankara and the 25-day wait
Season and timing: fjords or northern lights?
People go to Norway in two seasons. June to August for the fjords, October to March for the northern lights in Tromsø. In both periods the VFS appointment wait comes on top of the 25 days, so apply at least 6–8 weeks before the trip. The Schengen rules allow applications up to 6 months in advance, and for Norway it is worth using that.
How to fly from Baku to Oslo
There is no direct flight. People fly to Oslo with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus via Istanbul, and on to Bergen and Tromsø with Norwegian and SAS via Oslo, taking 8 to 10 hours in all. Baku–Oslo fares rise in summer, while November and January stay relatively cheap despite the northern lights season. Inside the country, Norwegian’s early-booked tickets come out cheaper than the train.
Norway’s fjords are often seen by cruise: fjord tour programmes calling at Bergen, Geiranger and Flåm require a Schengen visa, and the visa is requested for Norway, because the ship’s main days are spent in Norwegian waters.
Frequently asked questions about the Norway visa
Can you enter Norway on another Schengen visa?
Yes. Norway is not an EU member but it is in the Schengen area; you can enter on a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Can the Norway visa be obtained without going to Ankara?
Yes, documents are handed in at VFS in Baku and only the package travels to Ankara. There is no need to go in person.
Is a separate visa needed for Svalbard?
Svalbard is not in Schengen and requires no visa, but it is only reached via Oslo or Tromsø, so a multiple-entry Schengen visa is needed.
In closing
The Norway visa is an ordinary Schengen visa; what differs is the 25-day trip to Ankara and a serious financial check. For anyone who starts early the process is comfortable. The Viza.az team helps fill in the application on the UDI portal, book the VFS appointment and prepare the financial documents to Norway’s requirements.
Read more about Norway as a destination and our service fees, or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is accurate as of the publication date. Fees and processing times can change, so check the official sources again before applying.
