Norway Advises Middle East & Pakistan Schengen Visa Applicants Not to Purchase Tickets Before Visa Approval

Key Takeaways

The Norwegian Embassy in the UAE now mandates that applicants from four specific countries submit their Schengen visa applications at least two weeks prior to their intended travel date. Additionally, authorities recommend that applicants refrain from purchasing tickets until their visa has been approved. At present, applications from early August are still being processed.

The Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has advised applicants from the UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to submit their Schengen visa applications at least 15 days prior to their travel dates. In a press release, the embassy also cautioned that applicants should refrain from buying plane tickets until they receive a favorable response regarding their application. Additionally, it is not permitted to retrieve passports until the application has been processed, as reported by Schengen.News.

Applicants can submit their Schengen visa applications for Norway up to six months in advance of their travel date, but they must ensure that they apply at least 15 days prior to their intended departure. The Royal Norwegian Embassy emphasizes that it is crucial not to buy tickets until you have confirmation that your visa has been approved.

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Applications Filed in August 2024 Are Currently

Being Processed, Norwegian Embassy Reveals

The Embassy has announced that they are currently processing applications submitted in the first half of August 2024, with a significant number coming from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Furthermore, they are also addressing visa appeals submitted before August 2023, highlighting a backlog in applications.

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The Embassy Has Implemented a Maximum Cap on

Visas During the High Season

According to a press release from the Norwegian Embassy, processing times can extend to 45 calendar days during peak seasons or if additional information is needed. This same timeframe may apply when an application is forwarded to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Additionally, the Embassy notes that applications will remain pending for as long as the applicant’s passport is held at the Embassy, not at the VFS, which handles client communication. The Embassy does not accept phone calls or messages through social media; instead, inquiries must be submitted via email, and all correspondence should be in English.

The Royal Norwegian Embassy states that while waiting times for visa applications may increase during peak seasons, their goal is to respond before the specified travel date, as long as all necessary documents are submitted.

In 2023, applicants from the United Arab Emirates submitted a total of 10,691 visa applications to Norway, with a 72.8 percent approval rate. Among these, 2,673 applications, or 34.3 percent, were for Multiple Entry Visas (MEVs).