A Norway visa for US green card holders is necessary because they enjoy different visa-free privileges than US citizens. While US citizens enjoy up to 90 days of visa-free entry into Norway, Green card holders who are permanent residents in the US will have to apply for Schengen visas. However, there are conditions where a green card holder may not need a visa; if they are originally from a visa-exempt country and have a passport to prove their nationality.
Apply For A Norway Visa For US Green Card Holders
If you plan to visit Norway as a permanent resident of the United States, you can do so with a Schengen visa. Schengen visas are issued for tourism business or any other leisure trips to the Scandinavian country. Persons seeking medical treatment in Norway can equally apply for the visa.
They just have to submit their application to the embassy or consulate in the US. The good thing about being a green card holder is that you don’t have to go back to your country to apply for the visa; you can do it from the US and succeed in your endeavor.
Norway Schengen Visa Vs National Visa
You should know about two groups of visas: the Schengen visa and the national visa. Norway is a member of the Schengen zone, so that it can issue Schengen visas like other member nations. A Schengen visa can be used to enter multiple countries in the zone regardless of which nation issues it, and it is primarily a short-stay visa.
On the other hand, a national visa is a long-stay visa that is only recognized within the borders of Norway. While you can use a Schengen visa issued by the Norwegian embassy to enter Finland, Spain, Germany, or any other Schengen country, you cannot use a national visa outside of Norway. As a visitor, you must decide which visa type you want before submitting your application.
Visa Processing Days
Once you submit your application to the embassy or any of its consulates, be prepared to wait, as visas take some time to process. The average processing time is 45 days for a national or Schengen visa, and the time starts counting after your documents reach the embassy or consulate. This is because you must register online for it and submit your documents to their licensed agent, VFS. The documents will take some time to get to the embassy, and then you will need to book an appointment with them, which will also take time. These are some things to consider during the application process.
The Best Time To Apply For A Norway Visa
Since processing may take up to 45 days, it is best to apply for the visa at least 2 months before the planned travel date. Filing your application as early as possible is the only way to avoid unnecessary delays that may force you to cancel your plans or change your itinerary.
How To Apply For A Norway Visa From The US?
Applying from the US is easier than you think; following the steps below, your visa should be ready in record time.
Choose The Visa You Want: The first decision is to choose the visa you want. Do you want a Schengen visa or a national visa? Do you want a tourist or a transit visa? Decide this ahead of time to give yourself clarity on the documents to prepare.
Know Where To Submit Your Application: Norway has different consulates and an embassy to cater to the teeming application request. You want to ensure that you submit your application to the consulate closest to where you live if you don’t reside in Washington, DC, where the embassy is. This will save you a reasonable amount in travel costs.
Fill Out The Form: The next step is to fill out the application form. The form can be obtained from the embassy, consulate, online, or VFS. Once you get the visa, please fill it out correctly and ensure there are no errors or mistakes with your entries, as these can be grounds for cancellations.
Book The Appointment: When you book the appointment will depend on how and when you submit your application. Appointment booking can be done through the agent or the embassy website. A date will be scheduled for the appointment, so prepare for it.
Organize Your Documents: The next step is to organize your documents for the interview. Make sure you have all the requirements.
Go For The Interview: Arrive at the consulate early in the day of the interview and wait your turn. The officials will usher you in to sit with the consular officer, who checks your documentation an old ask questions about your trip.
Interviews don’t take very long, so you can leave after that. You can also track your application using a tracking number released by the consulate.
These are the steps to apply for a Norway visa for US green card holders.