Norway Visa RequirementsFor Gambia passport holders
Gambia passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Norway. Norway is Schengen but not EU. The fee is EUR 90 (approximately $97 USD), applied for at the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. Processing takes approximately 15 business days.
Gambia passport holders require a visa to enter Norway.
Apply at the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria (the accredited mission for West Africa, as Norway has no embassy in Dakar). The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 (approximately $97 USD). Processing takes approximately 15 business days. Contact the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja at +234 9 460 3600 before traveling from Banjul to confirm current appointment requirements.
Norway is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid Passport
Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay in the Schengen Area, with at least two blank pages. Must have been issued within the last 10 years.
Completed Schengen Visa Application Form
Schengen visa application form filled out completely, signed, and dated. Available at the embassy website or in person. Each adult applicant must complete their own form.
Passport-Sized Photos
Two recent passport photographs (35mm x 45mm) with white or off-white background, taken within the last six months. Must meet ICAO biometric photo standards.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance covering the entire Schengen Area for the full duration of your trip, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. This is mandatory for Schengen visas.
Flight Itinerary
Confirmed round-trip or onward flight booking showing entry into and exit from the Schengen Area. A flight reservation (not necessarily purchased) is accepted for application purposes.
Proof of Accommodation
Hotel bookings, rental agreement, or an original invitation letter from a host in the Schengen country showing your address for each night of your stay.
Bank Statements
Bank statements from the last three to six months showing sufficient financial means. The Schengen guideline is approximately EUR 50 per day of stay.
Employment or Proof of Income
Employment letter stating your position, salary, and approved leave dates, or if self-employed, business registration and recent tax returns. Students provide enrollment letters.
Schengen Visa Fee
Payment of EUR 90 (approximately $97 USD) for adults. Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application.
Current Travel Situation
Gambia to Norway: What You Need to Know
Norway is a Schengen Area member but not an EU member state, similar to Iceland. The Norwegian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, handles Schengen visa applications for West Africa as Norway does not have a consulate in Dakar. Norway and Gambia interact through Norwegian development aid (Norad), which has historically supported projects in fisheries, governance, and education in West Africa. Norway is famous globally for its fjords, Northern Lights, Viking heritage, and being consistently ranked among the world is top countries for quality of life. The oil fund wealth of Norway makes it one of the world is most expensive destinations.
How to Get There
From Banjul (BJL), connections to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) route through Scandinavian or Western European hubs. Norwegian Air Shuttle, SAS, and connections via Amsterdam or Frankfurt offer routing from West Africa. Total travel time is approximately 12 to 18 hours. Within Norway, the NSB train network and Vy buses are reliable but expensive; the Oslo metro (T-bane) covers the capital efficiently.
Money & Banking
Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK), not the Euro. ATMs are widely available but essentially all payments in Norway are by card; cash is rarely used. Norway is among Europe is most expensive destinations; daily budget for mid-range travel is approximately $180 to $260 USD. Tipping at restaurants is 10 percent and appreciated but not mandatory. Supermarket self-catering is the primary way to manage costs; Rema 1000 and Kiwi are the most affordable chains.
Practical Tips
Norway is one of the world is most expensive destinations; budget accordingly. The fjords (Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord) are genuinely spectacular and worth the expense. The Bergen Railway connecting Oslo to Bergen is considered one of the world is most scenic train journeys. Oslo has excellent museums including the Viking Ship Museum and the Fram polar exploration museum. The Norway in a Nutshell tour packages Flam Railway, fjord cruise, and Bergen journey in one affordable day trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Gambians need a visa for Norway?
Yes. Norway is part of Schengen but not the EU. Gambian passport holders require a Schengen visa applied for at the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, as Norway has no embassy in Dakar.
How much does a Norwegian Schengen visa cost for Gambians?
The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 (approximately $97 USD), paid at the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja.
Is Norway one of the most expensive countries for Gambian travelers?
Yes. Norway is among the most expensive countries in the world. Daily budget for mid-range travel is approximately $180 to $260 USD. Self-catering from budget supermarkets (Rema 1000, Kiwi) is essential for cost management. Alcohol is very expensive due to government monopoly.
What makes the Norwegian fjords special?
The Norwegian fjords (Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord) are glacially carved inlets with walls rising hundreds of meters from the water. They are genuinely among the world is most spectacular natural landscapes, very different from anything in West Africa.
Does Norway offer Norwegian development aid to West Africa?
Yes. Norway, through Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation), has historically funded projects in fisheries, governance, and education in West African countries including Gambia, reflecting a positive bilateral relationship.
Which airlines fly from Banjul to Norway?
Connections through Scandinavian or Western European hubs connect to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL). SAS, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and connections via Amsterdam or Copenhagen are typical. Total journey time is approximately 12 to 18 hours.