UK Visa from Norway: UK Immigration

Overview of UK Immigration from Norway

The UK and Norway have long enjoyed a cordial diplomatic relationship, covering shared cultural, economic and political ties.

One of the most prominent examples of Norwegian presence in the UK comes in the form of the Norwegian Christmas tree that stands in Trafalgar Square, London every year. It is given in remembrance of the UK’s support of Norwegian forces during the Second World War, and stands as a significant symbol of the two countries’ lasting ties.

Meanwhile, Norwegian immigration to the UK might not be as prolific as other countries in Europe, but select parts of the UK, such as Shetland and Orkney, boast a large population of people with Norwegian heritage, and strong links to Scandinavian culture.

Norwegian nationals looking to travel to the UK may often do so without a visa for short periods of time. Norwegians are also eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, or one of the UK’s many visas that allow for long-term residency or the right to work or conduct business in the UK.

Do Norwegians need visa for UK?

Norwegian nationals are able to travel to the UK without a visa to do any of the following:

• Engage in tourism
• See family or friends
• Volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
• Pass through the UK to another country
• Do certain business activities, such as attending a meeting or interview
• Take part in a school exchange programme
• Do a recreational course of up to 30 days
• Study, do a placement or take an exam
• Visit as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• Visit for medical reasons

Note that you will normally only be allowed to visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time in order to carry out the above activities.

Additionally, you will not be able to do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, access public funds, or live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits.

Visa-Required Travel to the UK for Norwegians

If you’re a Norwegian intending to travel to the UK for a reason other than ones already listed, or you wish to stay in the UK long-term, you may have to apply for a visa.

Visas are available for a variety of purposes and to suit many different types of travellers. For instance, there are a range of work visas available, such as the Skilled Worker visa for general skilled work, the Health and Care Worker visa for foreign workers looking to work in the health sector, or the Sportsperson visa, for professionals in the sports industry.

The UK also has its own Student visa for those looking to study courses in the UK long-term. Graduates who have studied in the UK may also apply for a Graduate visa to continue to stay and work in the UK.

Some Norwegians may also already have family from the UK, such as children, partners or parents. If this is the case, then you may be eligible for a Family visa if you plan to settle in the UK long-term.

Most UK visas have a finite window of validity, which means that you will either have to apply to extend them or leave the UK when they expire. Some will additionally allow you to apply for permanent settlement in the UK, also known as indefinite leave to remain.

UK Entry Requirements from Norway

When travelling to the UK, you will need to ensure that you have the right documents with you and that you adhere to UK government guidance on entry requirements for foreign visitors.

All Norwegian citizens must have either of the following when travelling to the UK:

• A valid passport
• A Norwegian national identity card, if you’re eligible to use one

Your document should be valid for the entirety of your stay in the UK.

Note that you will not be able to use a Norwegian national identity card to enter the UK unless you:

• Have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• Have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
• Have a Frontier Worker permit
• Are an S2 Healthcare Visitor

You must also ensure that you have a valid visa if you need one, such as if you intend to work in the UK or stay in the UK long-term.

Also note that you and your baggage may be checked at the border for any restricted items, or for items that must be declared. You must always ensure that you’re up to date with border and luggage restrictions when travelling to the UK.

Choose the Right UK Visa for Your Purpose

There are multiple visas available for individuals to come to the UK, each with a distinct purpose and specific eligibility requirements. For short-term travel of less than six months, a Visit visa may be required. The Visit visa is divided into three categories: Standard Visitor, Transit, and Marriage Visitor, each with distinct requirements. Please note that this visa isn’t always required, such as for EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizens. However, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). 

Another visa category is to work in the UK. There are several types of visas within this category. You will often have to be sponsored by a UK-based business, which you can prove with a Certificate of Sponsorship. Many UK Work visas also require you to confirm that you will earn equal to or above the market rate for your job, so that you are not undercutting UK workers. 

Over 400,000 people enter the UK each year on a Student visa, allowing them to study. This visa requires you to have a place in a course offered by a licensed educational institution that is authorized to sponsor students. It typically lasts the duration of your studies. 

The final highly common visa category is a Family visa. There are also several types of Family visas. Pick the right one to join your fiancé, spouse, child, parent, or adult dependent relative in the UK. You will usually need to prove your relationship to the individual in the UK to obtain this visa. 

Some requirements are standard across multiple visas, such as having a valid passport, sufficient funds to support oneself and any dependents, and not having a criminal record in the UK. Norwegian applicants will also be required to pay the full application fee for their visa, as well as the UK healthcare surcharge of £1035 per year, which allows them to access care from the NHS.

Processing Times for UK Visa Applications for Norwegians

Applications submitted outside the UK will take between three and twelve weeks, depending on the visa type. The wait times are similar for applications made inside the UK, except for some Family visa application types, which can take twelve months.

Your visa application will typically be processed within the specified timeframe. However, it can take longer if the UK authorities are experiencing a backlog, or if your application has any of the following issues:

• An interview needs to be attended.
• Documents have to be verified.
• You have to provide further evidence.
• You have provided inaccurate information.

Should these application processing times be unsatisfactory, you will usually have the option to pay for the Priority Visa or Super Priority Visa Service. The Priority Visa Service costs £500 per applicant and will mean you have a decision within five days. An even faster answer can be accessed with the Super Priority Visa Service, which costs £1000 per applicant. Neither of the Priority Service fees will be refundable if your application is rejected.

Studying in the UK from Norway

Most Norwegians hoping to study in the UK will need a Student visa. The main eligibility requirements are as follows:

• You have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.
• You can financially support yourself and pay student fees.
• You have parental consent if you are 16 or 17 years old. 

The way that you apply for a Student visa will depend on if you are inside or outside of the UK. Applications outside the UK can be submitted six months before the start date of your course, and the application will typically be processed within three weeks.

You can also apply for a Student visa from inside the UK. You can submit your application three months before the course starts. You must apply before your current UK visa expires and the course must begin within 28 days of the expiration. 

Applications inside and outside the UK carry the same visa fee of £524. You will also need to pay this fee for any dependents, such as your partner and children, who will be joining you.

Holding a Student visa gives you the right to complete your course in the UK. You may sometimes conduct work depending on your circumstances and the course you are studying. You may also have the opportunity to work as a student union sabbatical officer. 

A Student visa will last as long as your course. Norwegians can stay in the UK beyond the expiration of their Student visa by switching to a Graduate visa. This allows you to stay in the UK for an additional two years. The eligibility extends to three years if you have a doctoral qualification or PhD. 

Working in the UK from Norway

Norwegians wishing to travel to the UK for work will usually need a type of Work visa that corresponds with their circumstances. You will need to choose the right visa depending on if you are applying without a job offer, working for an overseas employer in the UK, working temporarily, or working long-term.

Many work visas require you to be given a Certificate of Sponsorship from your prospective employer. This is an electronic record confirming that the employer is willing and able to sponsor foreign workers.

A highly common UK work visa for Norwegians is the Skilled Worker visa, which has replaced the Tier 2 (General) Work visa. This visa requires you to be paid a minimum salary equivalent to the industry standard for your field and to work in an eligible occupation. The Skilled Worker visa is valid for five years. You can apply to extend your visa or update it if you change roles or employers. 

Not all UK Work visas require a job offer. For example, the Youth Mobility Scheme visa is available to individuals aged 18-30 who wish to live and work in the UK for up to two years. This visa scheme also allows you to be self-employed or set up a business as a sole trader in the UK.

Some UK work visas are designed for individuals working in the UK on behalf of an overseas employer. Examples of these Global Business Mobility visas include the following:

• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Finally, Norwegians may need a Temporary Work visa for short-term employment in the UK. This applies to seasonal, creative, religious, charity, international agreements, and government-authorised exchange workers. 

Joining Family in the UK from Norway

A family visa is essential if you are a Norwegian family member of a British resident or citizen and you wish to join them in the UK for six months or longer. A Standard Visitor visa may be appropriate if you wish to join them for less than six months.

The Family visa is an umbrella term for multiple visa types, including the following:

• Fiancé visa.
• Child Dependant visa.
• Adult Dependent relative visa.
• PBS Dependent visa.
• Parent visa.
• Ancestry visa.
• Family Reunion visa.

Each visa has slightly different requirements for Norwegians. However, you will need to have a UK-based family member who can act as the sponsor. Their status must be compatible with sponsoring a family member to join them in the UK.

Spouse Visa UK for Norwegian Nationals

The UK Spouse visa enables a Norwegian national to live in the UK with their partner who is a British citizen, has ILR, or EU settled status. It is also possible to apply for this visa if your spouse has a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa, or has refugee status in the UK. The initial visa is usually valid for two years and nine months, but can be extended.

There are several requirements to be eligible for a Spouse visa. The main requirements are as follows:

• Your relationship is genuine.
• You intend to live together and will have suitable accommodation.
• Your English language skills are at least A1 standard on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The Spouse visa has undergone recent changes, which may affect your eligibility for it. In April 2024, the minimum salary requirement increased to £29,000. For Norwegians who earn less than this combined with their UK-based partner, it may be worth considering an alternative visa.

Routes to Residency in the UK for Norwegian Nationals

Once a Norwegian national fits certain residency criteria, they will be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency) in the UK. Obtaining permanent residency is typically contingent upon having legally resided in the UK for a minimum of five years. It is common for those on a Family visa or Work visa to get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) this way. The five-year requirement is reduced to three years for holders of the Innovator Founder visa or the Global Talent visa.

For some Family visas, the time-based requirement is shorter. It can be 2-5 years on the Spouse visa before ILR is possible. Accessing ILR can also be instant for those on a Child visa or Adult Dependant Relative visa once their parent or UK-based carer has permanent residency.

Moving to the UK from Norway Checklist

Moving to another country is always a challenge, requiring you to move your life across borders. Completing this checklist will make the process as seamless as possible:

• Apply for the relevant visa successfully.
• End any leases in Norway or sell your home.
• Cancel your current utilities.
• Organise the shipping of your possessions to your new UK address. This includes any pets that you want to join you in the UK.
• Find a UK home to live in.
• Pick a school for your children to enrol in.

Once you are in the UK, you will need to set up your bills, register for healthcare, get a UK bank account, and much more.

Seamless UK Relocation Services Tailored to You

Immigration Advice Service offers a relocation service for clients wishing to move to an international destination. The services available include:

• Pre-departure planning.
• Residence and visa applications.
• Legal departure assistance, such as terminating leases.
• Logistics assistance, to ensure your life can be safely transported.
• Accommodation finding assistance.
• Home sale management.
• Education assistance, so your children can join the best school.
• Settling in services, such as registering for bills and healthcare.
• Cultural integration assistance.
• Travel planning.
• Pet relocation.
• Corporate relocation if you are establishing a business abroad.

If you need assistance with relocation, please contact IAS at +44 (0)333 414 9244. You will be connected with an immigration advisor who can get you started with the relocation process.

How Can IAS Help?

The UK remains one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, even after its departure from the EU.

If you are a Norwegian looking to travel to the UK and need additional advice and assistance for your situation, IAS can help.

We offer full, bespoke and comprehensive immigration advice for individuals from both inside and outside the EU/EEA. Our range of services and packages are carefully curated to ensure that we can help all of our clients with their immigration issues, regardless of the complexity or nature of the case.

Whether you’re a Norwegian national in need of assistance when applying for a UK visa, need help liaising with your local embassy or consulate, or just need extra advice on the latest UK travel advice and entry requirements, we can help.

For more information about and what we can do for you, reach out to one of our immigration experts today. Call us on (+44) 333 4149244, or contact us online through our website, where more information about our services can be found.