Application procedures

Application procedure:

1. Check that you apply for the correct permit
2. Check that you apply to the correct country
3. Check that you apply at the correct Foreign  Service Mission
4. Prepare necessary documents
5. Apply for a visa online using Application Portal or
6. Apply at a consulate (5. Application Portal not applicable)
7. Submit the application and supporting documents at the Foreign Service Mission
8. Await answer from the Foreign Service Mission

Check that you are applying for the correct permit

You should apply for a Schengen visa if

• You intend to stay in the Schengen area no more than 90 days in every half year period
• You do not intend to work

Failure to comply with the abovementioned criteria will lead to refusal.

For information on other permits, confer with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration

Check that you are applying to the correct country

You should apply to Norway if

• Norway is the only Schengen country you will visit
• Norway is the main destination of your trip (i.e. where you will spend the most days)
• If there is no main destination, you should apply to the first Schengen country you enter (For applicants from West-Africa, this will in general not be Norway)

The Norwegian Embassy in Abidjan represents Sweden and Denmark in Cote d'Ivoire. If you reside legally in Cote d'Ivoire and intend to go to Sweden or Denmark, you are entitled to apply to the Norwegian Embassy.

Applying to a Norwegian embassy if none of the abovementioned criteria are in place, can be reason for refusal.

Check that you are applying to the correct Foreign  Service Mission

The general rule is to lodge the application to the relevant Foreign Service Mission in which jurisdiction you legally reside. The Norwegian Embassy in Abidjan handles visa application from the following countries: Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone.

Overview of where to apply 

Prepare necessary documents

Checklist for Visa Applications at the Norwegian embassy in Abidjan

Read the checklist carefully and prepare thoroughly all documents asked for. Failure to present one or more of the documents required may lead to a rejection of the visa application.

Apply for a visa online using Application Portal

Applicants lodging their application at the Norwegian Embassy in Abidjan should apply online through Application Portal. Payment and booking of appointment is also done through the Application Portal. .

Applicants submitting documents at a consulate cannot apply using Application Portal

More information about applying through a consulate

Where to apply

Submit the application and supporting documents at the Foreign Service Mission

Before submitting the application, be informed that

• The application must be prepared orderly according to Embassy procedures: See Preparing the application
• Applicants without a scheduled appointment will not be allowed to submit documents at the Embassy
• Applicants who are late for their scheduled appointment will not be allowed to submit documents at the Embassy
• Only applicants will be admitted to the Embassy's premises. Minors applying should be accompanied

Await answer from the Foreign Service Mission

After submitting the application and supporting documents, you should wait for the Foreign Service Mission to contact you. Under normal circumstances, the processing time is up to 15 days. When contacted you will

• Be informed about the decision in your case, or
• Be asked for supplementary information, or
• Be notified about prolonged processing time

Contacting the Embassy will not speed up the case, and you are not recommended to contact the Embassy unless you have not received information about your case after the expected processing time has expired. If you need to contact the Embassy regarding a visa application, please use this webform.