Norway Visa RequirementsFor Russia passport holders
Russian citizens require a Schengen visa to enter Norway. Since November 7, 2025, only single-entry visas are issued. The consular fee is EUR 90 (approximately $98 USD) plus a VFS Global service charge. Processing takes around 15 working days, and you must apply in person at a VFS Global application centre in Russia to submit biometrics.
Russia passport holders require a visa to enter Norway.
Applications are handled exclusively by VFS Global on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Russia. You must book an appointment online at the VFS Global portal, appear in person to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photo), and pay the consular fee of EUR 90 plus the VFS service charge. Since November 7, 2025, Norway issues only single-entry Schengen visas to Russian applicants. A standard short-stay visa allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Processing time is typically 15 working days but can extend up to 45 working days during peak periods. Mandatory travel insurance of at least EUR 30,000 medical coverage is required for the full duration of your stay.
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
Biometrics
Required at first application
Required Documents
Biometric Passport
A valid biometric (e-passport) passport with at least 3 months validity beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area and at least 2 blank pages. Regular internal passports are not accepted.
Completed Schengen Visa Application Form
The official Schengen visa application form, completed fully and signed. Must be submitted through VFS Global. Forms are available on the VFS Global portal.
Recent Passport-Size Photos
Two recent colour passport photos (35x45mm) with a plain white or light grey background, taken within the last 6 months.
Travel Insurance
Travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage valid for the entire Schengen area for the full duration of your trip. The policy must cover emergency medical treatment and repatriation.
Proof of Accommodation
Hotel booking confirmations, rental agreements, or a letter of invitation from a host in Norway for the full duration of stay.
Proof of Sufficient Funds
Bank statements for the last 3-6 months showing sufficient financial means for your stay. Norway is expensive; consulates look for evidence you can cover costs without working illegally.
Current Travel Situation
Russia to Norway: What You Need to Know
Relations between Russia and Norway have been significantly affected by geopolitical events since 2022. Norway shares a land border with Russia at the Storskog-Boris Gleb crossing in the far north, but this crossing has been closed to general travel since September 2022. Only Norwegian and Russian citizens with specific documented reasons may use it, and in practice crossings are rare and subject to strict controls. There are no commercial flights between Russia and Norway; all air connections were suspended in 2022. Despite these barriers, Russian citizens can still legally travel to Norway on a Schengen visa, typically via connecting flights through third countries.
How to Get There
There are no direct flights between Russia and Norway. The most common connection is via Istanbul using Turkish Airlines, which has maintained routes from multiple Russian cities to Oslo (OSL). Connections via Dubai (Emirates) and Doha (Qatar Airways) are also used. The Storskog land border crossing to Norway is closed to ordinary travellers. There are no practical sea or ferry routes available for Russian travellers as of 2026.
Money & Banking
Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, so budget accordingly. The currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Russian Visa and Mastercard cards have not worked internationally since 2022. Mir cards were banned across the EU and EEA including Norway in January 2026. UnionPay acceptance in Norway is very limited and unreliable. Travellers from Russia should carry sufficient euro or USD cash to exchange upon arrival, or use a third-country bank card obtained before travel. ATMs in Norway (Minibank) dispense NOK. Credit cards are widely accepted in Norwegian shops and restaurants, but you need a card that actually works.
Practical Tips
Norway is a stunning destination with diverse appeal across seasons. In winter (October to March) the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible in northern Norway and Svalbard. In summer (May to August) you experience the Midnight Sun, with nearly 24 hours of daylight above the Arctic Circle. Oslo offers world-class museums and a vibrant food scene. The fjords, including Sognefjord (the longest) and Geirangerfjord (UNESCO-listed), are best visited May through September. Svalbard, the Arctic archipelago, requires a separate trip but no Schengen visa specifically for Svalbard. For the visa application, gather all documents carefully before your appointment since resubmission causes delays. Book VFS appointments well in advance as slots fill up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa for Norway?
Yes. Russian citizens require a Schengen visa to enter Norway. Norway is a member of the Schengen Area but not the European Union. The visa is issued as a short-stay (type C) Schengen visa, allowing stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Since November 7, 2025, only single-entry visas are issued to Russian applicants. Applications must be submitted through VFS Global in Russia.
How much does the Norway Schengen visa cost for Russian citizens?
The consular fee for a Schengen visa for Norway is EUR 90 (approximately $98 USD). In addition, VFS Global charges a service fee on top of the consular fee. The EUR 90 rate applies from 2024 following the update to Schengen visa fees set by the European Commission. Payment is typically made at the VFS Global application centre.
Can Russians cross the land border into Norway?
In practice, no. The Storskog-Boris Gleb land border crossing between Russia and Norway has been closed to ordinary travellers since September 2022. Only Norwegian citizens and Russian citizens with specific documented justification are permitted to cross. General tourism or leisure travel via the land border is not possible. All other land, sea, and air routes between the two countries are also suspended or unavailable as of 2026.
How do you fly from Russia to Norway without direct flights?
There are no direct flights between Russia and Norway following the suspension of air links in 2022. The most common route is via Istanbul using Turkish Airlines, which connects Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL). Connections via Dubai on Emirates or via Doha on Qatar Airways are also options. Travel time with a single connection is typically 6-10 hours depending on the routing.
Do Russian bank cards work in Norway?
No. Russian-issued Visa and Mastercard cards have been blocked for international use since 2022. Mir cards, the Russian domestic payment network, were banned across the EU and EEA including Norway in January 2026. UnionPay has very limited acceptance in Norway. Russian travellers need to arrange alternative payment methods before departure, such as obtaining a card from a bank in a third country, or carrying euro or USD cash to exchange for Norwegian Krone (NOK) upon arrival.
When is the best time to visit Norway for Northern Lights or midnight sun?
Norway offers two distinct seasonal highlights. For the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), travel between October and March, ideally to northern Norway (Tromso, Lofoten) or Svalbard. The best conditions require dark skies and solar activity. For the Midnight Sun, visit between late May and mid-August, when areas north of the Arctic Circle experience near-continuous daylight. The fjords (Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord) are most accessible and photogenic from May through September. Summer is peak tourist season with higher prices and more crowds.