TL;DR
To get a Norway Schengen visa from the UK you first apply and pay on Norway's UDI portal, then book a VFS Global appointment (London, Manchester or Edinburgh) to give biometrics and submit. Norway is in Schengen but not the EU — the same €90 visa and 90/180 rules apply, and the visa is valid across the whole Schengen area.
| Norway Schengen visa (from the UK) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| UK visa application centre | VFS Global |
| Application cities | London, Manchester, Edinburgh |
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (up to 45) |
| Official portal | Norway visa info ↗ |
Schengen but not the EU — does it change anything?
No. Norway is in the Schengen area but is not an EU member, and applicants often mix the two up. It makes no practical difference to your visa: you still apply for the standard €90 Type C Schengen visa, you're still limited to 90 days in any 180, you still need €30,000 insurance, and the visa you receive is valid across the entire Schengen area — not just Norway. The only thing to watch is that the application runs through Norway's own immigration system (UDI), not an EU-wide portal.
How to apply
- Complete the UDI application on the official Norway visitor-visa guide and pay the fee online.
- Book a VFS Global appointment in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
- Prepare your documents — see the full Schengen document checklist.
- Attend your appointment to give biometrics (fingerprints + photo) and submit.
- Wait for the decision — normally 15 calendar days once the embassy has your file, up to 45, plus VFS transit.
When to apply to Norway
Apply to Norway only if it's your main destination — where you'll spend the most nights — or your first point of entry if your trip is evenly split (see which country to apply to). A trip to the fjords, Bergen, Oslo or Tromsø for the northern lights makes Norway the country to apply to. If you'll spend more nights in another Schengen country, apply there instead — getting this wrong is a common refusal reason.
When to apply — northern-lights demand
UDI recommends applying at least 4 weeks before departure, and you can register up to 6 months ahead. Norway sees a heavy winter rush for the aurora season around Tromsø and the Lofoten islands, so VFS appointment slots tighten from late autumn. Apply early to stay clear of the crowd.
What you'll need
The standard Schengen document set: a passport issued within the last 10 years and valid at least 3 months beyond your trip, the UDI application, a recent photo, proof of UK residence, confirmed travel and accommodation bookings, an itinerary, recent bank statements, €30,000+ travel insurance, and strong evidence you'll return to the UK — the leading reason these applications are refused for UK-resident non-EU nationals.
Assemble it cleanly
- Checklist generator — your tailored document list
- Bundler and Compressor — assemble and size your file
Want a human to check it before your VFS appointment? See the done-for-you Schengen service. For the overview, see the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How do I apply for a Norway Schengen visa from the UK?
You first complete the electronic application on Norway's UDI portal and pay the fee, then book an appointment with VFS Global in London, Manchester or Edinburgh to submit documents and give biometrics. You must legally reside in the UK to apply from here.
- 02
Is Norway in the Schengen area and the EU?
Norway is in the Schengen area but is NOT an EU member. People often confuse the two, but it makes no difference to your visa: the same Schengen rules apply — a €90 Type C visa, the 90-days-in-180 limit, and €30,000 insurance. A Norway Schengen visa is also valid across the whole Schengen area.
- 03
Who handles Norway visa applications in the UK?
Norway's immigration authority (UDI) commissions VFS Global to run its UK visa application centres, in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The Royal Norwegian Embassy in London decides the application; VFS operates the centre and collects biometrics.
- 04
How much is a Norway Schengen visa and how long does it take?
€90 for adults, €45 for children 6–12, free for under-6s, plus VFS's service fee and €30,000+ insurance. Processing is normally 15 calendar days once the embassy has your file, up to 45. UDI recommends applying at least 4 weeks before travel; you can register up to 6 months ahead.
- 05
Should I apply to Norway if I'm visiting several countries?
Apply to Norway only if it's your main destination (most nights), or your first point of entry if your time is split evenly. For a fjords or Tromsø northern-lights trip, Norway is the country to apply to.
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