VFS is a company that has a long experience in this field. They also perform these services for Norway in Bangkok, Thailand and Colombo, Sri Lanka. In Ukraine they perform these services for several of the other Schengen Countries, including the Nordic countries. They have offices serving applicants for Norwegian Schengen visas in Kyiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Lviv and Odessa. For VFS addresses and contact information please see their web pages HERE
What will this mean for you, the applicant?
- If you are living in or closer to Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv or Donetsk you will not have to travel to Kyiv in order to submit your application. VFS will receive your application closer to where you live: saving time and money.
- As VFS will have more manned counters the waiting time for submitting your application will be shorter. In most cases you will be able to deliver your application and supporting documents within a day of registering your application online [ApN]
- VFS will charge a fee for receiving your application amounting to €25,20.
- When you apply via VFS your application will be given priority by the embassy, and we will strive to process all cases in 5-7 days. Cases submitted to the Embassy will normally be handled withinin 10 days.
- VFS has a tracking system which allows you to check where your case is in the process.
- VFS can offer access to the internet so that you can register your application online at their Application Centres.
- VFS has a call centre which can answer your questions throughout the work day
(+38) 044 5945495 or
(+38) 050 1179052
- VFS may also offer other services for a fee.
The Application Process:
The application process will not change much. You still have to register your application online and pay the application fee. After registering your application online (See link to the Application Portal to the right) and paying the application fee; rather than booking an appointment at the embassy you are now requested to contact VFS for an appointment. You can do this online here [VFS Contact Info] or by calling one of the numbers above. VFS guarantees that they will be able to receive all applicants within very few days, as they are able to keep more counters open at any time. Normally you will be able to submit documents the same day as you contact their application centre.
Applicants, who require an urgent visa, applying within three days of travelling, should also submit the application to VFS. Speedy handling of the application will require an additional fee of €35 to be paid – unless you belong to one of the categories exempted in the Visa Facilitation Agreement between Norway and Ukraine. VFS will charge this additional fee, either at their Application Centre or ask you to go to a nearby bank. Please note that the embassy may not be able to handle applications on an urgent basis during our peak seasons.
Following the cooperation with VFS the Norwegian Embassy in Kiev will reduce the number of applicants received directly at the visa section. It will still be possible to apply directly at the Embassy, by booking an appointment via our booking portal, but applicants must expect an extended waiting time for an appointment.
The Norwegian Embassy in Kiev believes that the cooperation with VFS will improve the service offered to our applicants and for the Embassy staff.