Visa For Svalbard
So, you feel like going to the North Pole? This is what you need to know about visa for Svalbard.
For the majority of people, traveling to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is not a possibility. This is true whether it’s because of the trip itself or roadblocks that are put in place by their national governments. Regardless of why, there are a number of people who want to travel to Svalbard and can’t due to one reason or another. Although there are options to visit Svalbard such as joining an expedition or a tour group, there is still a lot of red tape or certain documents that have to be obtained. One such document that can be quite difficult to obtain is a visa.
Obtaining a visa for Svalbard may not sound too complicated at first. For two years in a row, there is no need to obtain a special visa. Norwegians can travel with the same visa as they have in Norway. But beware! It is important to realize that this includes only the entire territory of Northern Norway, which includes many areas of Svalbard. If your trip only includes Svalbard it is necessary to apply for a resident visa. And that’s not all. Even if you want to visit just the islands and not stay at any residents, you will still need a visa from the district governor of Svalbard if you are not Norwegian.
Getting a visa to visit Svalbard is an expensive and time-consuming process. At the moment, there are only two visa options available: the Schengen visa or the national visa. As I have personally opted for the latter alternatives, I’d like to share my experiences with you in this article.
Svalbard is a paradise on Earth, but it’s so far from the home that no-one wants to reach it by themselves. There are many things to do and see, and also some restrictions.
When you think of a holiday destination, Svalbard is probably not the first place that pops into your mind. Yet this icy archipelago in the Arctic Ocean should be firmly on your radar.
Visa For Svalbard
The visa requirements for Svalbard are very simple and straightforward. You can apply for a visa online or at the Norwegian embassy in your home country. There are no health forms to complete, no blood tests required and no other documents needed. The only thing you will need is a passport with at least 3 months validity left on it. If you have less than 3 months left on your passport then you will need to renew it before traveling to Svalbard.
if you are in Svalbard and need a visa, you can apply for a visa on the Norwegian Consulate website.
Svalbard is a remote Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. It has an area of 61,022 square kilometers (23,005 sq mi) and a population of 2,400.
You can travel to Svalbard with a visa. To obtain a visa, you’ll need to fill out an application form, provide proof of your valid passport, and pay the processing fee. Once you’ve done that, we’ll send your visa back to you so that you can travel!
Svalbard is a remote Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, to the north of mainland Norway, and has a special status. It is part of Norway, but it is not part of the European Union, and non-EU citizens will need to apply for a visa before traveling there.
The visa application process for Svalbard is similar to that of other Schengen countries. Applicants must complete an online application form and pay a processing fee. If approved, they will receive a letter from their local police district confirming their permission to travel to Svalbard. They must then bring this letter with them when they arrive on the island and check in at the airport.
Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. It’s located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and it’s home to more polar bears than people.
The visa requirements are strict: You must have a valid passport, an invitation letter from the company or organization you’re visiting, and a confirmed return ticket out of Norway.
If you don’t have a return ticket, you’ll need to apply for a visa at least two weeks before your trip begins.
Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The following documents are required for the Svalbard digital nomad visa application:
- Your valid passport. Your passport must be valid for six months.
- Filled digital nomad visa application form. You can find the application form on the UDI Norway website.
- Two passport-size photos. The photos should be recent and must be taken in front of a white background.
- Proof of residence in Svalbard. Submit a document that clearly states where you will be living during your stay in Norway. You will be asked to find a place to live beforehand since housing in Svalbard is limited.
- University Certification. A copy of your educational degrees is required.
- Stable income documents. The document submitted can be a bank statement of your regular income of around €35,000 a year.
- Medical insurance coverage. Your health insurance must be valid in Norway.
- A CV. The CV should state all your academic background as well as your previously held job positions.
How To Apply For Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa?
To obtain a Svalbard digital nomad visa, you should start your application on Norway’s Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website. Here is an overview of the application process:
- Start the application online via the UDI (Norway’s Directorate of Immigration) website. Register on the UDI self-service website, where you can make an appointment as well as apply for your visa. The online application process is very fast and easy to complete as you will only be asked to collect an application form and pay the fee amongst the other required documents.
- Submit the required documents for a digital nomad visa. You can submit the documents required for a Svalbard digital nomad visa either online (as digital copies through the UDI website) or to a Norwegian diplomatic mission (with a postage courier.)
- Enter Svalbard and register as a resident. If you stay in Svalbard for longer than six months, you must register as a resident within eight days of arrival at the Population Register of Svalbard. You will also need to let the tax register know that you will be staying in Svalbard for more than six months.
You can also apply through the nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, provided you submit the application via a courier. However, applying through the embassy takes longer, and you may be asked to pay additional postage fees.
Conclusion
To sum it up, there is a lot of red tape to go through especially if you are not familiar with the process. The average cost of entering Svalbard is 1300€ ($1500) which includes a return ticket, visa, and private cabin or tent per person in your party. Expect to pay around $750 for a single tent but only if you can manage to book it well in advance. Do expect to be asked a lot of questions and have everything written down on pieces of paper just to make sure all details are covered. One small slip will result in you getting deported on the next flight out which sounds a bit extreme but it is standard procedure when it comes to foreign nationals entering this snow-bound kingdom. But don’t let that deter you from visiting what I feel was one of the most interesting cities I have ever been to and as I mentioned before it’s an experience like no other.
