Norwegian Visa center opened in Arkhangelsk

Until September 1st it was the Honorary Consulate of Norway in Arkhangelsk that issued Norwegian visas. During last 4 years more than 12,000 people have applied for Norwegian visa at the Honorary Consulate. Many of them were participants of Russian-Norwegian projects.

Main changes for citizens of Arkhangelsk region will occur after September, 8, of course: this is the last day the Norwegian visa center will accept documents according to old procedure. Beginning from September, 14 the center will start collecting fingerprints and biometric photo from all the applicants (except children under 12 years old). These data will be stored in system for 5 years, so applying for the next Schengen visa during this period will not require fingerprinting again.

Terms and cost of visa handling has changed. Now it is recommended to apply for visa at least one month before planned trip as now handling will take two calendar weeks. It is better not to delay until urgent handling because this possibility will be considered individually in each case. Consular fee for Norwegian visa is still 35 EUR, and also service fee of 1720 RUR should be paid (the fee is floating; it depends on euro exchange rate).

Residents of Arkhangelsk, Novodvinsk, and Severodvinsk are quite lucky, but people from Naryan-Mar, Kotlas, Velsk and other cities of huge Arkhangelsk region who used to apply for Norwegian visa to touristic agency or by authorized persons will, doubtless, feel the difference. This is the fact that raises concerns of Barents cooperation participants on both sides of Russian-Norwegian border. The fact that new system will have negative influence was self-evident; the question is if there are resources to overcome it.

However, opening of new visa center in Arkhangelsk has some advantages in terms of documents processing for Norwegian visa which certainly will be noticed by applicants: particularly, now they will have a possibility to fill in the online application form on Application portal Norway on site with the help of visa center officer. It will be possible to make insurance, copies of necessary documents and fill in agreement for processing of personal data also directly in visa center. Practically now applicant may come to visa center having only his Russian passport, foreign passport and photo with him. There is no need to book the time because the center works on first-served basis. it is necessary to underline the accessibility of the center for handicapped people – entrance ramp was made specially by the request of the center authorities, and one of windows is half-meter lower for convenience of applicants in wheelchairs.