GoNorway Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa Notice

Norway is a member of the Schengen Agreement, and according to relevant bilateral agreements between China and Norway, except for personnel holding diplomatic passports who travel to Norway for a short period of time, mainland Chinese residents who travel to Norway must obtain visas in advance. Holders of Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Region passports who stay in China for no more than 90 days do not need to apply for a visa. Norway currently has an embassy in Beijing, consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, and visa centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Xi'an, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Changsha, Kunming, and Hangzhou. Applicants from different regions must go to the corresponding visa centers to apply for visas.

Depending on the purpose of travel, Norwegian visas are divided into business visit visas, tourist visas, family/friend visit visas, cultural and sports activity visas, etc. The application procedures and required materials are also different. For specific matters, please consult the Norwegian Embassy in China (website: https://www.norway.no/zh/china/ ）.

Starting from October 12, 2015, all visa applicants will be required to provide biometric data (ten fingerprints and one digital photo) when applying for a Schengen visa.

If the visa application is rejected, the applicant has the right to file an appeal within 3 weeks from learning of the rejection result. The appeal will be handled by the relevant department of the Norwegian Immigration Service, and the Norwegian Embassy in China has no right to change the rejection decision.

2、 Entry and Exit Notice

Chinese citizens holding a Schengen visa can travel to various Schengen countries within the validity period of the visa after entering the Schengen area. If entering Norway from a non Schengen country, passport and visa verification are required, and sometimes invitation letter, contact address, phone number, connecting flight ticket and other materials of the inviter need to be presented.

All passengers entering and leaving Norway must pass through customs inspection. If the items carried are not within the scope of taxation, they can choose the green channel; If the items carried are within the scope of taxation or require special permission, the red channel should be selected for customs declaration. Customs officers sometimes request to inspect passengers' luggage and even search their bodies. If suspected of small-scale smuggling, fines will be imposed. If the fine is not accepted or the smuggling volume exceeds the fine limit, it will be handled by the police. If it is believed that customs personnel have not operated in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, a complaint can be made, and a written complaint will be responded to within three weeks.

For Norway's entry policy during the COVID-19, please pay attention to the Norwegian government website:http://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/koronavirus-covid-19/travel-to-norway/id2791503

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 Customs situation

Norway's tariffs consist of approximately 7200 tariff lines, with industrial products accounting for about 5/6 and agricultural products accounting for about 1/6. Norway maintains an open attitude towards the import of industrial products, with an average tariff of about 0.7%. Among them, 95% of industrial products are subject to zero tariffs, and only about 300 textile and clothing tax items are subject to tariffs, with an average tax rate of about 3% and a maximum tax rate of 13.7%. Norway holds a conservative attitude towards agricultural products. Most agricultural tariffs are compound taxes, which stipulate both ad valorem and volume based taxes for the same tax item, and are actually levied based on the higher tax amount. The tariff rate for agricultural products is extremely high, with an average tax rate of about 37% and a maximum of 555% (for live chickens, ducks, geese, etc.). Selling goods or providing services within Norway is subject to value-added tax. At present, the general value-added tax rate in Norway is 25%; The value-added tax rate for food is 15%; The value-added tax rate for services such as passenger transportation, rental housing, tourism agency, broadcasting, and movie ticket sales is 12%; The value-added tax rate for exported goods or services, newspapers, books, and periodicals is 0.

When passengers enter or exit the country, if the value of Norwegian kroner or foreign currency cash and coins carried exceeds 25000 kroner, they must fill out a declaration form with the customs management department for entry and exit. When entering the country, items such as cameras and camcorders carried with you can fill out a customs declaration form for inspection and tax exemption when leaving the country. Except for personal use items, each resident or tourist entering the country can enjoy a tax-free item value limit of 6000 kronor, with special restrictions for alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

2、 Animal and plant quarantine

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is responsible for animal and plant quarantine affairs, and its animal and plant quarantine standards are almost identical to those of the European Union. Animals, plants, and their products can only be brought in with an import license issued by the Food Safety Administration. Cheese, meat products, hay, tobacco and other imported items are subject to quota management, and each resident or tourist entering the country is not allowed to carry more than 10 kilograms of meat or meat products, cheese or other food for personal use. Norway prohibits the export of endangered animals, plants, and their products. The export of seafood requires approval from the Norwegian Seafood Council, which means registering as a seafood exporter.

Residency and Naturalization

Norway has conditionally recognized dual citizenship since January 1, 2020. Newborn foreigners in Norway cannot naturally acquire Norwegian nationality. Generally speaking, foreign citizens who have resided in Norway continuously for 7 years can apply for Norwegian citizenship.

Foreigners can obtain Norwegian long-term visas in three ways: workers and technicians employed in Norwegian enterprises; Family reunion; Refugees or other individuals taken in for humanitarian reasons.

For details on applying for permanent residency and citizenship, please refer to the website of the Norwegian Immigration Service（http://www.udi.no）.

Norway's risk level is blue (low risk)

Security situation

The Norwegian social welfare system is relatively complete, and the general public generally abides by the law. There are relatively few malignant cases such as robbery and murder. However, theft of foreign tourists' property occurs from time to time, especially during the peak tourist season from June to September each year. Theft activities are rampant, mostly by gangs, and the crime sites are often chosen in airports, central train stations, downtown areas, restaurants, and other places. The detection rate of such cases is low.

Chinese citizens traveling to Norway should carefully choose travel agencies, bring credit cards or traveler's checks as much as possible, avoid cash, and properly keep important items such as passports and property. Important documents such as passports and certificates should have copies and be stored separately from the originals. When traveling in a group, it is not advisable to keep documents, cash, etc. in one person's custody. When taking a car, dining, shopping, or doing business, do not leave your belongings unattended.

If your passport is lost or stolen, you should immediately report to the local police, obtain a report certificate issued by the police, and apply for a replacement travel document at the Chinese Embassy in Norway.

In the event of serious cases such as personal injury, the police should be reported immediately, and if necessary, contact should be made with the Chinese Embassy in Norway.

natural disaster

Norway has relatively few natural disasters, with occasional avalanches and floods. It is recommended that tourists avoid traveling to remote areas as much as possible during winter and summer.

FDA

Norway has few food poisoning accidents and high food hygiene quality. All tap water in hotels and restaurants can be consumed directly without boiling.

Urgent Help

Medical emergency hotline: 113.

Police hotline: 112.

Fire alarm hotline: 110.

air traffic

Chinese citizens can choose to transfer to Norway via Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, and other destinations.

Norway has well-developed air transportation, with over 50 airports located in major towns throughout the country. Oslo Gardermoen Airport is the hub of Norwegian aviation, where most international flights take off and land. The airport is located about 50 kilometers northeast of Oslo city center, and visitors can choose to arrive by bus, light rail, taxi, self drive, and other means. In addition, there are also Bergen Airport Flesland, Kristiansand Airport Kjevik, Sandefjord Airport Torp, Stavanger Airport Sola, Troms ø Airport Langnes, Trondheim Airport V æ rnes, and others.

land transport

The transportation system in Norway is relatively developed and complete. The overall traffic conditions are good, and the public generally abides by traffic rules. The driving environment is relatively safe. Due to the mountainous terrain in the area, Nuo Road is characterized by numerous mountain roads and road tunnels. Among them, there are as many as 1100 highway tunnels with a total length of over 800 kilometers. The LAERDALSTUNNELEN Tunnel, located in western Norway, is 24.5 kilometers long and is the longest highway tunnel in the world.

Norway has a well-developed long-distance bus and railway system, with major operating companies including Vy (Norwegian National Railways, which also operates long-distance buses), Go Ahead, etc. The ride is comfortable, and online or mobile ticket booking is very convenient. The railway line runs through the entire area, with a total length of over 4200 kilometers. Multiple routes pass through rural areas with diverse scenery, offering panoramic views of the suburbs, mountains, lakes, and fjords.

Norwegian car rental companies have many service locations at airports and city centers, and booking in advance through phone or online channels can be more cost-effective. After the Chinese driver's license has been notarized and certified in English in China, it can be used in Norway for three months.

The traffic rules in Norway are roughly the same as those in China, with left-hand steering and right-hand traffic, yielding to pedestrians. The enforcement of traffic regulations is very strict, and speeding and drunk driving are strictly prohibited. Drivers who violate traffic regulations shall be subject to high fines, revocation of licenses, or imprisonment in accordance with the law. In addition, there are many mountain roads, and small accidents such as rolling rocks and mudslides also occur from time to time. In winter, the weather is harsh and there is a lot of ice and snow, and there is a lot of ice and snow on non main roads. It is necessary to drive carefully and cautiously.

water communication

Norwegian ferries and speedboats are important modes of transportation for offshore islands, coastal towns, and fjord areas. In the western fjord area, tourists must transfer to a cruise ship to continue sightseeing. Summer is the peak season for taking speedboats or car ferries. It is recommended to queue up early to avoid delaying the trip. During the off-season from September to April of the following year, transportation companies usually introduce discount plans to attract tourists.

Urban transportation

The public transportation systems in major cities in Norway are well-developed, and tourists can inquire about route information in the information center or check stations, schedules, and prices on the RuterReise app. Oslo tickets allow unlimited use of all public transportation within a specified time frame (except for one-way tickets). At present, the one-way ticket price within Oslo Zone 1 is 38 Norwegian kroner.

Taxis can be booked or stopped on the road. Taxis are priced according to the meter, and the charges are relatively standardized but the pricing is high. In addition, it is recommended that taxi passengers request a receipt before getting off the car in case they lose their belongings. Taxi reservation hotline: 08000 (in major cities such as Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger).

Oslo and other cities have built electronic toll stations for highways, which charge vehicles entering and leaving the city. The single charge for small gasoline vehicles in Oslo is 22 kroner (non peak hours)/28 kroner (peak hours). Electric and hydrogen powered vehicles are free of charge.

If walking in the city and crossing the road on a section without traffic signals, one should cross at a zebra crossing where pedestrians have priority and passing vehicles will wait for pedestrians.

major city

1、 Oslo

The capital of Norway, located at the northern end of Oslo Bay in southeastern Norway, has humid air and a mild and suitable climate (with an average annual temperature of 5.9 ℃). It is the largest city in the country and also the political, economic, and cultural center. The area is 454 square kilometers and the population is approximately 697000. 17% of the urban area is residential and commercial, 3% is industrial zone, 5% is water area, and 75% is forest and green space.

2、 Bergen

The second largest city in Norway, with an area of 465 square kilometers and a population of approximately 286000, is located between high mountains and fjords. There are seven high mountains scattered around the city center, hence it is known as the "City of Seven Mountains". There are small alleys paved with round stones, ancient medieval buildings, and open-air fish markets in the city, which are full of charming and ancient charm. The people of Bergen are warm and friendly. In 2000, Bergen was selected by the United Nations as the "European Capital of Culture".

3、 Trondheim

Formerly known as Nidros, it is the third largest city in Norway with an area of 342 square kilometers and a population of approximately 208000. It is an important central seaport, railway hub, and center for trade, industry, and shipping. Trondheim is the location of the most magnificent church in Scandinavia, the Nidros Cathedral, where Norwegian kings have been crowned throughout history.

4、 Stavanger

The fourth largest city in Norway, with an area of 71 square kilometers and a population of approximately 144000. In the 19th century, it was the largest sardine canning processing base in Europe. After the 1970s, due to the development of North Sea oil fields, Stavanger became a maintenance and logistical support base for oil and gas field facilities and ships, and has now become Norway's famous "North Sea Oil Capital". In addition, the city's cultural relics and historical sites are well preserved, making it the city with the most wooden structures in Europe. The unique Norwegian Oil Museum and Fish Cannery Museum in Stavanger are also very interesting.

Commodity prices

1、 Main products

Oil and gas: Norway is the 15th largest oil producing country and the 3rd largest natural gas producing and exporting country in the world. As of December 31, 2020, the estimated total amount of discovered and potential oil and gas is approximately 15.8 billion standard cubic meters (oil equivalent), of which 7.8 billion cubic meters have been extracted and the remaining reserves are approximately 8 billion cubic meters. In 2020, the output value of Norway's oil and gas industry accounted for about 14% of Norway's GDP, exports accounted for 41% of Norway's total exports, and investments accounted for about 19% of total investments, contributing about 14% of the country's fiscal revenue.

Seafood: Norway is the world's second-largest exporter of seafood and the largest producer and exporter of salmon.

Shipping equipment: Norway holds an important position in the production of offshore special marine equipment and fishing vessels, with over 300 marine equipment manufacturers. The equipment produced accounts for 9% of the world market share and 60% is exported. The products include advanced ship propellers, ship power engines, electronic cargo loading equipment, navigation electronic navigation instruments, electronic maps, and advanced ship stability systems.

Metallurgical products: Norway is one of the important producers of aluminum nickel, ferrosilicon, and metallic silicon.

Potato wine: Norwegian potato wine is unique, with its representative Akvit wine being the most famous and winning international awards multiple times.

2、 Price situation

Norway is a typical Nordic model of "three highs" (high income, high welfare, high taxes) country, and also the country with the highest prices in the world. Citizens enjoy free education, free healthcare, and other benefits, but the expenses for various aspects of daily life such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation are extremely high. Before the season change and Christmas, many stores hold promotional activities, especially for clothing products.

Tourists can first declare an export tax refund (25% value-added tax refund) to the shop owner when shopping. Tourists can receive nearly 12% tax refund when they leave, and the other half is obtained by companies that handle tax refunds on behalf of tourists.

Insurance Medical

Medical and health services are an important component of the Norwegian social insurance welfare system. Norway has perfect medical facilities and medical insurance system. All Norwegian residents and foreigners who have resided in Norway for more than 12 months must join the national social insurance and welfare system, and enjoy medical insurance and other social benefits while paying social insurance premiums. If you do not enjoy free medical care, the prices of medical and service fees are expensive.

In the short term, tourists and visitors cannot enjoy free medical care and can choose to purchase insurance within their own country. If you need over-the-counter drugs or health products, you can purchase them from local pharmacies or supermarkets. If tourists get sick while moving, they can call the medical emergency number 113 for assistance.

The overall hygiene condition of Norway is good. The average life expectancy for males is 81.5 years, and for females it is 84.9 years. The main deadly diseases include cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc.

Customs taboos

Norwegians mainly adhere to the Protestant Lutheran faith, with a small number of Catholics. Foreign immigrants have brought Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religions to Norway. Many traditional festivals in Norway are related to Christianity or its unique natural environment, mainly including Christmas Day (December 25), New Year's Day (January 1), Easter Day (the first Sunday after the full moon at the spring equinox), Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter), Good Friday before Easter, Ascension Day (the 40th day after Easter), Pentecost Day (the 50th day after Easter), Tromso Sun Day (January 21), Oslo Skiing Festival (the first Saturday in March), Midsummer Festival (June 24), etc. With the influx of immigrants, there are also a certain number of followers of Islam and Buddhism.

Norwegians have a more introverted personality and do not casually approach or chat with strangers. Norwegians have a strong sense of time, and if they are unable to fulfill their obligations, they should notify them by phone to cancel or reschedule. Norwegians do not want others to inquire about their work, salary, social status, and other matters, believing that these are personal matters that do not require others to inquire or intervene. Appropriate topics include hobbies, politics, sports, and travel. Norwegians taboo "13" and "Friday", considering them numbers and dates of "misfortune" and "disaster", which are extremely disgusting. Norwegians avoid exchanging handshakes or conversations with each other, considering them impolite behavior.

Norway receives very little sunlight throughout the year, and July and August are the golden seasons for Norwegians to enjoy the sunshine. Most Norwegians choose to take vacations during this period. In addition, the two weeks before and three weeks after Christmas, as well as the week before Easter, are also time periods for Norwegians to travel on vacation. Therefore, in general, it is advisable to avoid doing business or conducting business during these time periods.

The river bird is Norway's national bird, and the Norwegian government strictly prohibits its capture.

Communications Power

The telecommunications industry in Norway is well-developed, and various communication companies offer different packages for users to choose from. Among them, Telenor is the largest mobile communication operator in Norway, and the communication services of companies such as Telia and MYCALL are also suitable for short-term tourists.

The country code for Norway is 0047, and there are no local area codes in various regions. To make a call to Norway from abroad, you need to use 0047+phone number. Within Norway, you can make direct calls to each other's phone numbers. To make a phone call from China, it is 0086+area code+phone number. For example, to make a call to Beijing, it is 0086+10+phone number.

Norway has developed Internet, and most hotels provide Internet services.

The voltage is 230V, 50Hz, and the power socket only accepts a movable three-way two legged circular hole plug. Generally, Chinese appliances can be used normally when equipped with a portable plug converter.

contact information