Norwegian Consulate Chicago – 4 Easy Steps to Apply for Norway Schengen Visa

If you’re traveling to the Schengen country of Norway, be prepared to have a fantastic experience. Alesund is a wonderful city full of Art Nouveau architecture while Stavanger has an interesting Viking history. If you want nature, head to Jotunheimen for its awe-inspiring landscapes or Lofoten were you can cycle, hike and rock-climb your way through the mountains! In this article learn more about how to apply for Norway visa at the Norwegian consulate in Chicago, Illinois, Norway visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Norway visa application center, flight itinerary for Norway visa, hotel bookings for Norway visa, Schengen travel insurance for Norway visa application, and Norway Visa Application Process at the Chicago consulate.

Norway Schengen Visa

In 2017, there were 196,082 Norway Schengen visas received by the Norwegian Embassies and Consulate offices around the world. 11,176 (5.70%) were rejected. There was no data about applications received by VFS Global in Chicago.

Applying for Norway Schengen Visa from the United States         

If you are a US citizen, you do NOT need to apply for a visa to go to Norway, but if you were not born in the US you DO need a visa for Norway. However, you must live in the United States on a permanent basis.

You have to make sure you apply at the right Norwegian embassy and consulate. There is no consulate in Chicago, but you may submit your visa application to VFS Global. If you live in Chicago, you will deal with the VFS office in Chicago. However, if you live in any other area, you may apply to ANY of the 5 VFS Global offices located across the US.

Although your visa application is received by VFS Global, it will be processed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington.

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington/VFS Global in Chicago

There are 2 types of visa that you can apply for:

1. Visitor’s (Schengen) visa – for holidays, business and visits to family and friends for a maximum of 90 days
2. Residence permit (National visa) – for work, studies, au pair, family immigration, etc., for stays over 90 days

The one you need to apply for will depend on the duration of your trip, i.e. up to 90 days or over 90 days, and your reason for traveling to Norway (see above reasons).

Norway visitor’s visas are issued as single, double, or multiple entry which means you can enter the country once, twice, or unlimited times during the dates of your visa.

Schengen Visa Application Process at VFS Global in Chicago/the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington DC

Both visitor’s visa and residence permit applications will be received by VFS Global in Chicago, but, as mentioned above, visitor’s visas are processed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. If you are applying for a residence permit, it will be processed by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Visa applications are processed within 15 days, although some applications could take as many as 30-60 days. You can apply up to 90 days ahead of your intended departure, so don’t leave it too late. At the latest, you may apply 15 days before your trip! Please note, applications older than 90 days will be rejected.

Here are a few steps to help you apply for your visa.

Step 1: Make an appointment and complete your application form

Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. Submit the appointment details, visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below:

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on: “Schedule an appointment”:
2. Create a new account:
3. Then, login:

Once you’ve done that, you can make a convenient day and time in order to submit your visa application.

The next thing to do is to register and complete your application online. Go to the embassy’s website and click on: “Visitor’s visa and residence permit”:

Then, click on either “Visitor’s visa” (up to 90 days) or “Residence permit” (over 90 days):

Next, scroll down to: “Online registration and payment” and click on the link for the application portal:

Then, you’ll need to create an account before logging in. You’ll then be able to complete your application online and register it:

Your application will be registered at VFS Global in preparation for your appointment. You will receive an email with a cover letter attached which you should print because you will need to hand it over in person along with your application and other supporting documents.

Step 2: Prepare the documents for your application  

It’s your responsibility to prepare all the required documents for your visa application. Take a look at the websites of the visa offices to find out what you need to get ready:

1. VFS Global
2. Royal Norwegian Embassy
3. Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI)

A document checklist is available for short-stay visas on the embassy’s website which you can refer to. For residence permits, you can find the necessary checklists on UDI’s website. You must print off the relevant checklist, sign it, and submit it along with the other documents.

You also need to provide originals as well as photocopies, so don’t forget to do this!

Documents include:

1. The cover letter (printed from the application portal)
2. A visa application form (printed from the application portal)
3. The receipt for the fee (printed from the application portal)
4. 1 passport-sized photo. See guidelines for acceptable photos
5. Details of travel plans and/or tours – a  full itinerary must be provided
   
6. Passport – must be valid for at least 3 months past your trip. It must have 2 free pages and have been issued no longer than 10 years ago
7. Copies of previous Schengen visas (if applicable)
8. Valid US visa or residence card OR other proof of US legal residence
9. Return flight reservation
10. Evidence of employment, private business, or studies. You must provide approval of leave letter
    
11. Proof of financial subsistence/income in the US such as bank statements for the past 3 months or the most recent tax return
12. Schengen Travel insurance – for at least €30,000 to cover hospitalization, medical emergencies, and repatriation expenses
13. Letter of invitation from your company or your host in Norway
14. Employer’s letter verifying the reason and duration of your trip and/or details of business involvement in Norway
    
15. Proof of accommodation – hotel booking, etc
    
16. Marriage/birth certificate
17. Notarized letter of consent from parents (minors)
    

If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 3: Attend your appointment

Here are a few tips for a successful appointment:

1. Arrive early – it’s a good idea to arrive early. It will give you a chance to relax before your appointment and to make sure you have everything with you. If you are late, your appointment may be canceled and you will have to reschedule it
2. Don’t forget your supporting documents – make sure you have ALL the required documents. If you submit an incomplete application, it may get rejected which is the last thing you want
3. Don’t dress too casually – this is not the way to make a good impression

The visa officer will examine your application and supporting documents and if they need any more information from you, they may question you further. VFS may not do this, but when your application gets received by the embassy, you may be called for another interview. If this happens, comply with their requests and answer any questions politely and honestly.

Common interview questions include:

1. What is the purpose of your visit to Norway?
2. When will you travel to the EU?
3. Where are you going to stay in Norway?
4. What company do you work for?
5. Who is sponsoring your trip?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

You would have already paid the fee for your visa when you registered your application on the application portal, but there is an additional service fee of $33 which is payable to VFS Global in Chicago. You can pay this by credit or debit card. Please be aware that these fees won’t be refunded – even if your application is rejected. In addition, if you wish to have your passport mailed back to you by UPS courier from VFS Global, you need to pay an additional $30.

You may also need to provide biometric data if this is your first time applying for a visa.

Step 4: Receive your passport and visa

Once you have submitted your application, you can track it to find out its status. Go VFS Global’s website and click on: “Track your application”:

Type your reference number and last name and click on: “Submit”:

When a decision has been reached, you can either collect your passport from VFS Global’s office in Chicago or have it mailed back to you via courier.

Visa application decisions:

1. Approved – you will find your visa affixed to one of the blank pages inside your passport
2. Rejected – your visa application has been rejected for a reason. You have the right to appeal the decision. Go to UDI’s website for further information about the appeals process

Typical rejection reasons include:

1. You have left it too late – you can apply up to 90 days and no less than 15 days ahead of your trip. If you submit your application too late, there may not be enough time for it to be processed
2. Employment status has not been confirmed – you must provide documents to prove your employment status. For example, if you are employed, you can provide an employer’s letter; if you are self-employed, you can provide a tax return; if you are a student, you can provide an enrollment letter; if you are retired, you can provide a pension certificate
3. No marriage certificate – if you are going to Norway to visit your spouse, you may have to provide proof of your relationship, particularly if your spouse is an EU citizen, and a marriage certificate will be sufficient proof
4. Your travel insurance is not valid – you must have valid travel insurance (see above requirements). There are no exceptions

Contact details for VFS Global in Chicago

Address: 142 E Ontario St. , Suite # 1700, Chicago, IL 60611

Email: info.norway@vfsglobal.com

Telephone: +1 347 329 2738

Call center: Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Appointments are not to be booked by email or phone

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 3.00 pm (Submissions); Monday to Friday, 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm (Collections)

Contact details for the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington DC

Address: 2720 34th Street N.W, Washington, D.C. 20008

Email: emb.washington@mfa.no

Telephone: (202) 333-6000

Fax: (202) 469-3990

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

Please note, inquiries regarding visa applications should be made to VFS Global!

Conclusion

There are just 4 simple steps to apply for your Norway visa:

1. Make an appointment and complete your application
2. Prepare the documents for your application
3. Attend your appointment
4. Receive your visa

Step 5 is to start the preparations for your epic trip to Norway!

At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.

See Also

How To Apply for Norway Schengen Visa at Norwegian Embassy in Washington, DC
How To Apply for Norway Schengen Visa at Norwegian Consulate in Houston, Texas
How To Apply for Norway Schengen Visa at Norwegian Consulate in San Francisco, California
How To Apply for Norway Schengen Visa at Norwegian Consulate in NYC, New York

Worldwide Visa Requirements