What is the Visa Code?
The Visa Code is an EU regulation that became effective 5 April 2010. It contains rules for the processing of applications and requirements for obtaining a visa and entails that the Schengen countries will pursue the ongoing process towards a joint visa policy.
The Visa Code sets out all procedures and conditions for issuing "short stay visas" and "airport transit visas". It also establishes the lists of third country nationals who are required to hold "airport transit visas" when passing through the international transit areas of airports situated on the territory of the Member States. Furthermore the Visa Code covers visas issued for the purpose of "short stays", meaning stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180 days period. Legislation in relation to the issuance of visas for the purpose of long stays (beyond 90 days) remains of national competence.
For visa applicants to Norway, the Visa Code involves the following main changes:
§ "Transit visa" and "short stay visa" are merged. Meaning that a short stay visa may be issued for the purpose of transit or stay and the allowed duration of stay will be adapted to the purpose of travel.
Please be aware that seamen embarking on Norwegian ships in Norway do not need a Norwegian Schengen visa
If a seaman has to transit another Schengen country in order to get to Norway, she/he must approach the consulate of the country she/he is planning to transit in other to be issued a short stay visa with the purpose of transit. In this connection this application form may be useful.
§ Following criteria for the validity of the travel document apply:
- The validity of the travel documents shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from Schengen area
- The travel document shall contain at least two blank pages
- The travel document shall have been issued within the previous 10 years
§ Applicants shall as a main rule appear in person when lodging an application.
§ Application shall be lodged no more than three months before the start of the intended visit.
§ Regarding validity of the visa: The new regulation includes a "period of grace" of 15 days in additional to the period of validity of the visa. In order to have these 15 days, the insurance must have a corridor of 15 days longer than the dates you will effectively stay in the Schengen area. This will allow for a certain room for maneuver for the visa holder.
§ In all cases an additional "period of grace" of 15 days may be included in the period of validity of the visa. However, a maximum stay in the Schengen area on a Schengen visa is always 90 days. So, even though the date of your visa is for 105 days, you may never stay more than 90 days in the Schengen area. If you overstay, this might result in your next visa application being rejected. We kindly ask you to pay attention to this new regulation of a "period of grace".
§ According to Visa Code, decision-making shall be made within 15 days after the application has been considered admissible. To your information our normal case processing time is 5-7 working days. In cases where further scrutiny is necessary or several supporting documents are missing, the deadline may be extended up to 30 days.
- You may authorize a third party to collect your travel document at the Embassy.
Please click this link if you would like to read the "Visa Code”