Visas and immigration


The Norwegian authorities do not require a visa for entry to Svalbard, but if you are required to have a visa to Norway/Schengen, you must have a visa if you travel via Norway/Schengen on your way to or from Svalbard. It is important to ensure that you get permission for two entries in your visa in order to be able to return to the Schengen area (mainland Norway) after your stay in Svalbard.

Foreign nationals staying on Svalbard can submit applications for visas to Norway/Schengen area to the Governor.

Published 7/17/2024

Requirements for a visa with a minimum of two entries when traveling to Svalbard

It is important that you request 2 or more entries in your visa application. The requirement for 2 or more entries is due to the fact that Svalbard is not part of Schengen, even though it is part of Norway. If you are required to have a visa for the Schengen area, you must have a visa to be able to return to Norway/the Schengen area after your stay in Svalbard. Read more on the Directorate of Immigration's (UDI) website: Svalbard - UDI

Foreign nationals staying on Svalbard can submit applications for visas to Norway/Schengen area to the Governor.

The Governor also accepts applications for residence and citizenship. These applications are forwarded to UDI for processing.

Booking an appointment
To book an appointment for visa, residence or citizenship, you must send an e-mail to visum@sysselmesteren.no. The email must contain the name and nationality of the applicant, as well as the type of application. This also applies to urgent inquiries.

If you are going to apply for a residence permit for mainland Norway, we ask you to contact UDI first for clarification on which documents you should bring with you.

For advice and guidance in connection with questions concerning Norwegian immigration legislation, please contact the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). See https://www.udi.no/kontakt-oss/ for information on phone times, chat and e-mail to UDI.

It is important to be aware that even if you come to Svalbard and settle here, this in itself does not give you the right to Norwegian citizenship or residence in mainland Norway.

Opening hours

To book an appointment for a visa, residence or citizenship, or for questions regarding an ongoing case, you must send an e-mail to visum@sysselmesteren.no.

For general questions about visas and immigration matters, you must contact UDI: Immigration to Norway - UDI