Recent changes

The guideline and annexes have been amended to reflect changes to section 87 of the Immigration Act. DNA testing is no longer based on consent, and the immigration authorities may require applicants to provide a DNA sample. Amendments have also been made due to the introduction of a new DNA analysis provider. Information previously contained in an annex listing embassies assisting with DNA testing has been incorporated into the guideline. Linguistic improvements have been made. 

The guideline has been corrected under chapters 7 and 10.5.

The entire guideline has been updated in connection with the development of new application forms for D-visas/entry visas in the application portal, checklists for the various application categories, and a solution for transferring information from the application portal to Norvis. These changes must be viewed in light of the amendments in UDI 2020-011 Application for and issue of entry visas (D-visas), and entry deadlines.

Several changes and simplifications have been made to the guideline; here are the most important ones:

• All entry visas, except those issued on the basis of an approved permit, must be registered using the new application form.

• Biometrics must, as a general rule, be collected for all these application types in accordance with the requirement in the Immigration Regulations section 18-1, with the exception of diplomats and similar holders of official passports.

• Entry visas will be granted with a 30-day period of stay, instead of the current division between 7 days and 30 days.

• In the new chapters 11 to 14, we consolidate information on decision-making authority, the content of entry visas, appeals, and information for applicants, with the aim of removing this from the guidelines on entry visas pursuant to section 3-13, third and fourth paragraphs, of the Immigration Regulations (UDI 2010-004, UDI 2013-001, UDI 2010-046, and UDI 2010-001).

These changes are linked to the development of new application forms for D-visas/entry visas in the application portal, checklists for the various application categories, and a solution for transferring information from the application portal to Norvis. This follows recommendations from the Schengen evaluation of the visa field in 2024.

The guidline has been changed in section 4.

The guideline has been updated in section 1.2. An explanation of the word "rejection" has been added.

It is now possible to add a comment to the Norwegian visa sticker when issuing visas to family members of EU/EEA/Swiss/qualifying UK citizens, cf. Directive 2004/38/EC or the Separation agreement between Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and the United Kingdom. This change is in line with the best practice presented in the Visa handbook. The remarks will appear on the physical sticker in a shortened form as: 2004/38/EF and EØS/EFTA-UK

It is now possible to add a comment to the Norwegian visa sticker when issuing visas to family members of EU/EEA/Swiss/qualifying UK citizens, cf. Directive 2004/38/EC or the Separation agreement between Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and the United Kingdom. This change is in line with the best practice presented in the Visa handbook. The remarks will appear on the physical sticker in a shortened form as: 2004/38/EF and EØS/EFTA-UK

Annex 28 to the Visa Code Handbook is updated. Norway re-started the representation of the Netherlands in Malawi as of 1 September 2025. 

Changes have been made in other Schengen countries' diplomatic missions with visa authority. Norway is represented by Denmark in Israel, and Sweden no longer represents Norway in Ethiopia.

A minor change has been made to reflect a technical change in the Data System for Immigration and Refugee Affairs (DUF). Second paragraph under point 12. Registration of relationships is new:

"When looking up cases for persons who are already in the Immigration Administration's systems with a DUF number, some relationships may be shown as "uncertain" in the relationship list. This may occur for the following relationships: spouse, partner and parent/child. The registration may be changed in connection with decision-making. The code "uncertain" cannot be selected when registering new relationships."

Sections 3.5 and 3.6 are updated to reflect technical changes to the foreign service missions' checklist. The technical changes are scheduled for production 1 October 2025.

The guideline has been updated in section 3.4, ninth paragraph. The reason for the change is that the concept of minimum pension has been phased out. The annex has been updated with a new name and new rates. The total pension is now NOK 243,759 per year and NOK 20,313 per month.

Annex 5 of the Visa Code Handbook has been updated following a notification by Norway, regarding the reintroduction of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic- and service / official passports issued by Georgia, in accordance with Article 12 of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.

As of 16 August 2025, Norway has partially suspended the bilateral facilitation agreement on the issuance of visa with Georgia and hence reintroduced the visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports and service/official passports issued by Georgia. 

Annex 8 to the Schengen Practical Handbook for Border Guards is updated. As of 16 August 2025, Norway has partially suspended the bilateral facilitation agreement on the issuance of visa with Georgia and hence reintroduced the visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports and service/official passports issued by Georgia.

Annex 28 of the Visa Code Handbook is updated following a notification by Norway regarding the closure of their visa section in Accra, Ghana on September 1st. The Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi assumed responsibility for the processing of visa applications submitted through an external service provider in Accra and the Ivory Coast from 31 July this year. 

The annex has been updated.