Introduction
Are you thinking about immigrating to Norway? Here’s what you need to know.
Norway is a great country to explore with its unique natural landscapes, exciting sights, and vibrant cultural atmosphere. The country is located in the northernmost part of Europe and the westernmost part of Scandinavia and has a population of more than 5 million inhabitants.
Obtaining a residence permit is governed by a complex set of rules and regulations. Citizens of Turkey who wish to work or stay in Norway for more than 90 days need a residence permit.
How to Immigrate to Norway from Turkey?
Depending on the purpose of your trip to Norway, there are different types of visas depending on the circumstances.
Before you apply, find out what residence permit you need, e.g., for work, study, family immigration, etc. You can find information about different residence permits on the UDI website.
Is Norway’s visa easy to get?
A Norway Visa is a complicated procedure requiring you to follow several formalities to acquire one. A list of documents required for a Norway visa application:
- First, download the application form and fill it out completely and honestly. You can also complete the Norwegian Schengen visa form electronically and print it out.
- The application must attach two recent photos of your face with a clear background.
- Your passport must have at least two blank pages and include a copy of your previous visa, valid for at least three months after the return date. A copy of your return ticket. You should not buy tickets without a visa unless necessary.
- Confirmed travel insurance coverage of at least EUR 30,000 in Norway and the entire Schengen area.
- A letter of intent stating the purpose of the trip to Norway. Make a flight reservation with the date and flight number indicating entry and exit from Norway.
- Proof of accommodation in Norway.
- Documents confirming relationship status (marriage certificate, child’s birth certificate, spouse’s death certificate, etc.)
- Prove that you have sufficient financial resources during your stay in Norway. When applying for a Norwegian visa, a foreigner wishing to enter Norway must present proof of ownership of at least 500 NOK (€53.34) to the embassy or consulate. However, this number is not officially established and is usually determined case-to-case basis.
What are the criteria for moving to Norway from Turkey?
To apply for a Norwegian residence permit in Turkey, you must be a Turkish citizen or have a Turkish residence permit.
Who are the citizens of Turkey?
- Turkish citizens apply to visa application centres in Ankara, Antalya, or Izmir, not embassies.
- Third-country nationals with a residence permit in Turkey
- Syrian and third-country nationals who have legally resided in Turkey for more than six months can apply for a residence permit at the VFS centres in Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, or Izmir.
Different types of Norway visas for Turkey citizens
Norway Schengen visa (tourist visa): If you only want to stay in Norway for a short time (less than 90 days), you must apply for this type of visa. For example, you can get this visa if you are travelling for tourism, business, or a short family trip. If you are a national of a non-Schengen country without a visa-free travel agreement with the region or if you have been denied a visa-free travel authorization and are visiting Norway, you will need a Schengen Visa. The U.S. is one of the nations that do not require a visa to enter Norway or the rest of the Schengen Area. S., Mexico, and Australia. These short-stay visas can be obtained for various reasons, including business, tourism, family, brief study abroad trips, and even medical needs.
For adults, there is a standard processing fee of €80, and for minors, it is €40. You will require supporting documents, including your passport or other travel documents that are no older than 10 years and valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Area after completing a Norway Schengen Visa application form and scheduling an appointment. A cover letter outlining your itinerary and the reason for your visit is also required, along with a flight schedule, proof of lodging, documentation of your civil status, such as a marriage certificate, and evidence that you will have access to food during your stay. You will also need travel and medical insurance covering up to €30,000 in expenses. Usually, you have to show that you have at least €53 in your bank account. The amount is typically decided case-by-case; however, this figure is not formally fixed.
Norway work visa: This is a long-term visa. This visa can be applied for if you have found a job in a Norwegian company. When requesting a work visa for Norway, you must present the embassy or consulate with documentation demonstrating that you satisfy the country’s Schengen visa requirements in light of your employment situation. You need an employment contract, a recent bank statement, a letter from your employer stating they have no objections to you taking time off to travel, and an income tax return if you are employed. If you are self-employed, you will also need copies of your income tax returns, business bank statements, and business license. Whether you are requesting a short-stay Schengen visa for business or a work visa, you will also require an invitation letter.
Norwegian student visa: This is a long-term visa issued to international students who wish to continue their studies at a Norwegian educational institution. A no-objection letter from your place of study back home, an invitation letter, and proof of enrollment at a Norwegian institution are required for student visas.
Student Visa for Turkey Citizens to Study in Norway
If you’re a student from Turkey aspiring to embark on a study adventure in Norway, securing a Study permit is a crucial step.
Application Steps for Norwegian Student Visa
Turkish students aiming for a Norwegian student visa must follow these steps:
- Complete a document checklist and the application form on the UDI website. Register your application at the Application Portal, choosing the Embassy of Norway in Ankara, Turkey.
- Submit the required documents checklist at one of the VFS Visa Application Centres in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, or Antalya, representing the embassy. The application will be forwarded to the UDI for processing.
- Provide biometrics (e.g., fingerprints and pictures) during the visa application process for additional identification and security purposes.
- No visa interview is required during the application process.
The Study permit from Norway is valid for more than three months. To stay for the entire degree program, visa renewal may be necessary annually. If planning to remain in Norway post-graduation, a different visa or a visa renewal through the immigration office is required.
Required Documents for Student Visa
When applying for the visa, demonstrating sufficient funds to support yourself during the study program is crucial.
Noteworthy points for Turkish students:
- Language proficiency proof is not required.
- No medical test is necessary before arrival in Norway.
- Setting up a Restricted Bank Account is not mandatory, offering more flexibility in managing finances.
UDI processes both older and new applications concurrently, resulting in potential variations in processing times compared to other cases. As of January 2022, UDI has a backlog of cases awaiting processing. Stay informed about the processing time for your specific application.
Norway family visa: A long-term visa issued to the family of a Norwegian citizen or resident. Family reunification or family formation are other names for family immigration. Usually, the spouse, cohabitant, or child of someone currently residing in Norway will apply for family immigration. Parents who have children in Norway, those who are engaged to be married in Norway (fiancées/fiancés), foster children, and full siblings are additional types of family members who may apply.
Norway Digital Nomad Visa: Long-term visa for freelancers living in Svalbard who want to work remotely. An authorization to live and work remotely in Norway for two years is known as a “digital nomad visa” and is granted to qualified remote workers. Norway started the program to entice international businesspeople to settle there. The applicant must have at least one Norwegian client to be eligible for the Norway digital nomad visa. The Norway remote work visa is ideal for independent contractors working on a project for a Norwegian business. If they meet the requirements, people who want to live as digital nomads in Norway and can work remotely can apply for the visa. It’s ideal for digital nomads who want to spend significant time living in Norway before moving to the following location.
Residence Permit
If you are a citizen of Turkey and wish to work or reside in Norway for more than 90 days, obtaining a residence permit is a prerequisite.
To apply for a residence permit to Norway from Turkey, you must either be a Turkish citizen or hold a residence permit in Turkey.
- Turkish Citizens: Submit your applications at Visa Application Centers in Ankara, Antalya, or Izmir, rather than at the Embassy.
- Third-Country Citizens with a Residence Permit in Turkey: Syrian citizens and third-country nationals with a minimum of 6 months of legal stay in Turkey can apply at a VFS Center in Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, or Izmir.
- Citizens of Iraq: Residents in Iraq must apply at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Amman, Jordan, as it is responsible for Iraq. Despite potential travel challenges, this is the designated application point. Only Iraqi citizens residing in Turkey for a minimum of 6 months with a valid residence permit can apply for a visa or family immigration at VFS centers in Ankara, Antalya, or Izmir.
What are the Visa Requirements?
When visiting a visa application centre or embassy, you must bring the original documents and certified copies of each document to keep the original documents.
Documents must be A4 size – no staples, stickers, or torn pages. If you want to submit photos, they must also be in A4 format. Embassies can only scan A4-sized documents.
Visa Application Centers and Embassies will not return any documents you submitted with your application.
Proof of family relationships must be presented in all family immigration cases, even if not on the UDI checklist.
Volunteering is not defined as “work” by Erasmus+, but you need a work permit to start work in Norway. The applicant or others must register their work permit application on the Norwegian application portal, pay the fee, make an appointment at the visa application centre and submit the application along with the documents.
The Norwegian Immigration Service (UDI) has a processing time of 4 weeks.
After deciding according to UDI’s instructions, the embassy sends the passport to the visa application centre. Applicants can visit the Visa Application Center website to view notices related to visa applications.
Once notified that your visa has been issued, you must make an appointment with the Norwegian police to obtain a residence card. Remember that you cannot start working in Norway until you contact the police to apply for a residence permit.
The embassy advises against applying for an entry visa until a work permit in Norway has been decided. This is because you cannot start work until you have a work permit and go to the police to apply for a residence permit. So, first, one must apply for a work permit and then a residence permit in Norway.
After completing the online application and paying the fee, you will receive a confirmation email with your application summary, a signed letter of intent, and payment confirmation. You must print and sign the signed letter of intent and submit it with other required documents.
Conclusion
In Turkey, applications are accepted by the third-party global VFS service provider, which charges a service fee. A sponsor or other person may register an application on behalf of the applicant. Some additional services offered by VFS are not included in the service fee. Please note that these services are optional. The applicant must sign the letter of intent.
A letter of intent for minors must be signed by one of their parents or legal guardians. The application cannot be filed without a letter of intent. You need to bring all the documents included in your passport and checklist. When registering an online application, you can find a list of appropriate inspections at www.udi.no/en.
You will need to make an appointment at the visa centre and personally visit to submit your application and to support documents on your appointment. In family immigration cases, most applicants are called to the embassy for an interview after submitting the application. The residence permit applications are reviewed by the UDI. One can find information about the processing period on the official website. If you have registered a power of attorney in Norway, the UDI will inform him of the outcome of your case. Turkey’s “emigration” has become a serious concern as people leave the country for better economic opportunities, exceeding the number of Turkish citizens living abroad to more than 6.5 million.
Last but not least, always consult with the immigration Attorney. You can find the best lawyers at LegaMart. We provide top-class assistance in the immigration process with expert lawyers residing around the world.
Uncover the steps and procedures for immigration to different nations, with a focus on US to Portugal, in Legamart’s insightful article.
Frequently asked questions
Who Can Apply for a Norway Work Visa?
To apply for a Norwegian Work Visa, ensure you meet the following criteria:
- Qualifications: Completed higher education, vocational education, or possess “special qualifications” relevant to the job, even without formal education.
- Employment: Secured a full-time job with a Norwegian employer.
- Compensation: The job offers a salary equivalent to or exceeding what a Norwegian citizen would receive.
- Age Requirement: You are aged 18 or above.
- Clean Record: No criminal background.
Can I have Dependents with a Norway Work Visa?
Yes. With a Norway Work Visa, you have the option to apply for a Norway Family Visa and bring your dependents along. The eligible family members include:
- Spouse or Registered Partner: Your legally recognized spouse or partner can apply to join you in Norway.
- Cohabitant: You and your cohabitant, both aged 24 or above, can apply if you expect a child together or have lived together for a minimum of two years.
- Children: Your children under the age of 18 are eligible.
- Children Over 18: Children aged between 18 and 21, unmarried, and with a previous residence permit in Norway; If you financially support a child over 18 who lives with you and is not working or studying; Children over 18 with health problems making them dependent.
