A Norwegian passport is one that the government of Norway issues to its citizens to travel abroad. They make it easier to get assistance from Norwegian consular officers overseas in addition to acting as proof of Norwegian citizenship (or public officials on the mission of another Nordic country in case a Norwegian consular official is absent).
In any member state of the European free trade association and the European Economic Area, a passport and a national identity card are required for travel. This is so that Norway can participate in the EEA, Schengen Area, and EFTA. Norway is also a member of the EEA.
Due to the Nordic Passport Union, no identifying documents are legally required for travel within the Nordic region. A Norwegian passport can only be issued to citizens of that country. But when you become a Norwegian citizen, you won’t immediately receive a passport. You must submit a passport application.
Types of passports
Seven different passports and travel documents are issued by Norway:
- Norwegian citizens are entitled to a standard passport. They have red covers.
- Passports for emergencies with white covers.
- Passports used by diplomats, with turquoise covers.
- Passports for service with turquoise covers.
- Passports with distinctive turquoise covers.
Passport holders are not allowed to use their passports to enter their country of citizenship.
Those without Norwegian citizenship who have a residence permit in Norway but are unable to obtain a passport from their country of citizenship in time for an unexpected journey abroad are given immigrant passports good for one trip. They too have grey coverings. Only one trip may be made using the passport. Those who receive asylum in Norway are provided refugee travel documents. They have blue covers.
Visa prerequisites
Administrative entry restrictions imposed on Norwegian nationals by other states’ authorities include the need for visas. According to the Henley Passport Index, Norwegian citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 nations and territories as of 5 October 2021, placing Norway’s passport in a tie for 7th place overall in terms of travel freedom with the Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Norwegian people have the freedom of movement to live and work in other EFTA nations under the EFTA agreement because their country is a member of the EFTA. Furthermore, because Norway is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), its residents are free to travel to any other EEA member state. The right to free movement is outlined in the Residents’ Rights Directive, and all EFTA and EU citizens are not only freed from the need for a visa to enter and reside in each other’s countries but also have the legal right to do so.
How to apply
Passport applications must be submitted in person at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, DC, or one of our Consulates General for both adults and children (Houston, New York, or San Francisco) only by appointment.
Candidates under 18
Each applicant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent. At the time of application, both parents’ passports must be shown in original form or notarized copies. Any parent who will not be there must also supply a substitute parent.
Before applying
If your name has changed, kindly get in touch with the population record (Folkeregisteret) to make sure it still matches. Before submitting a passport application, this is required.
As long as they don’t turn 10 before their number is allocated, individuals 9 and under are eligible to apply for both a passport and a personal number at the same time. Those who are 10 years old and older must return to get their passports after receiving a personal identification number. If you intend to apply for a passport, please make sure your country of birth is listed in the national population registration. This holds even if your old passport lists your country of birth. If necessary, get the letter of consent from the absent parent notarized. Biometric passports are issued in Norway. On the website of the Norwegian police, you can get more information about biometric passports.
Incomplete applications won’t be accepted.
