Schengen Visas

General Information

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Asmara is currently handling applications for Schengen Visas for the following countries:

• Norway
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Iceland
• Germany
• the Netherlands
• Austria

Please note that all applicants need to get an appointment at the embassy for submitting their application. Applicants without an appointment will not be given access to the embassy. Information on how to book an appointment can be found here.

After an appointment has been made the applicants have to present themselves personally at the embassy with the supporting documents.

Be prepared that processing of applications may take 15 calendar days if the visa has been granted. For cases where the represented country is consulted, it may take up to 30 calendar days, and in exceptional cases up to 60 calendar days. Hence, all applicants must submit their application a minimum of 15 calendar days before the intended date of travel, in order to receive the issued visa in time, longer if it's for another country than Norway.

Please be advised that submitting all required documents is not a guarantee for a visa to be granted, and that a visa is no guarantee of access to the Schengen territory. The final decision remains with the Immigration Office at the border. The permission to enter the Schengen territory may depend on the presentation of the original invitation letter and the travel health insurance documents. Tickets or travel insurance paid in advance are not the responsibility of the embassy in case a visa is not granted.

When the embassy has made a decision in the case, the applicant will be informed.  

Information about Schengen visas for Norway (maximum validity is 90 days)

There are three possible outcomes of an application; the application can be granted, denied or it can be sent to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in Norway for decision. The applicant should under normal circumstances have the result 15 calendar days after the application was submitted. Electronic applications will be given priority.

If the Norwegian Embassy in Asmara considers the application to be doubtful or for other reasons cannot make a decision, the application will be forwarded to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Information about handling time for applications that are sent to Norway can be found on www.udi.no.

In accordance with the Public Administration Act, the embassy cannot give details about the application other than to the applicant, unless the other person has “Power of Attorney”. The “Power of Attorney” must be in writing, stating who is given Power of Attorney, and it must be signed by the applicant.

Information will only be given in writing. Telephone correspondence with the reference person in Norway will not be made. If the applicant or the reference person have questions about the application, these should be asked in writing – preferably by e-mail to the embassy.

Rejected applications
Applicants whom have been denied may re-apply or lodge an appeal. The appeal may be lodged by the applicant himself / herself or by a person with “Power of Attorney”. Only new information of conclusive relevance to the application may result in the former decision being reversed. Otherwise, the appeal will be sent to the appeal instance (UDI or UNE) for assessment. 

Information about Schengen visas for represented countries (maximum validity is 90 days)

The applicant should under normal circumstances have the result 15 calendar days after the application was submitted. However, for cases where the represented country is consulted, it may take up to 30 calendar days, and in exceptional cases up to 60 calendar days. Electronic applications will be given priority.

If the Norwegian Embassy in Asmara considers the application to be doubtful, or for other reasons cannot make a decision in the case, the application will be forwarded to the central immigration authorities in that country, or the nearest embassy.

In accordance with the Public Administration Act, the embassy cannot give details about the application other than to the applicant, unless the other person has “Power of Attorney”. The “Power of Attorney” must be in writing, stating who is given Power of Attorney, and it must be signed by the applicant.

Information will only be given in writing. Telephone correspondence with the reference person in Sweden / Denmark / Iceland / Germany / the Netherlands will not be made. If the applicant or the reference person have questions about the application, these should be asked in writing – preferably by e-mail to the embassy.

Rejected applications
Decisions made by the immigration authorities of the represented country may be appealed, or the applicant can re-apply. Information regarding the procedure will be in the decision from the immigration authorities. 

Required documents (all countries) 

All documents must be translated into English or Norwegian before submitting them at the embassy.

Please note that if the applicant hasn't submitted all of the required documents, the application will end with a negative result (rejection).

Supporting documents for tourist visa (C-visa) with invitation (private/family visits):

• The confirmation of your booked appointment via the application portal 
• Recent passport size photograph – color picture, taken from the front and with a light background
• Passport or travel document issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least three months after the visa expiry date
• Pay slips from the last three months
• Recent and original letter from employer, organization or school confirming employment and stating employment period and period of leave
• Proof of financial responsibilities in Eritrea – bank statement for the last three months / documentation of property ownership
• Invitation letter, stating type of relationship, purpose of visit, period of visit, who is covering expenses for flight ticket and accommodation
• Family relation form
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Birth certificates of children if applicable
• If the applicant is a minor and not travelling with both parents, parental consent from the parent not travelling must be submitted, birth certificate of child, ID of parents
• Proof of family relationship with the sponsor, e.g. birth certificate (for family visits)
• Certified copy of sponsor’s passport / residence permit
• Sponsor’s pay slips from the last three months
• Sponsor’s employment contract
• Documentation regarding the purpose of the visit (if a specific welfare reason) – wedding bookings, baptism bookings, health certificate from doctor confirming pregnancy or birth, etc.
• Travel health insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 30.000,- for emergency hospital and repatriation expenses, valid for all Schengen countries. The insurance must be valid from the validity date of the visa and 15 days after the expiry date. The insurance confirmation must contain proof of payment.

Additional documents for tourist visa (C-visa) with invitation (private/family visits) for NORWAY:

• UDI guarantee form for visits

Additional documents for tourist visa (C-visa) with invitation (private/family visits) for SWEDEN:

• Appendix D – Family appendix for applicants, completed and signed
• Appendix E – Referee’s appendix – completed and signed by the sponsor in Sweden.
• Proof of identity of sponsor (this can be requisitioned from the nearest local tax office or from the website of the Swedish National Tax Board)

After visa has been granted:

• Flight booking

Business and Educational visa:

• The confirmation of your booked appointment via the application portal
• Recent passport size photograph – color picture, taken from the front and with a light background
• Passport or travel document issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least three months after the visa expiry date
• Official invitation from business partner (signed and stamped) stating purpose of visit, period of visit, who is covering expenses for flight ticket and accommodation
• Recent and original letter of introduction from company, which should comment on the business relation, purpose of visit, who is covering expenses for flight ticket and accommodation
• If self-employed;  Documentation of registration of company/organization
• Proof of accommodation, e.g. hotel reservation
• Travel health insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 30.000,- for emergency hospital and repatriation expenses, valid for all Schengen countries.The insurance must be valid from the validity date of the visa and 15 days after the expiry date. The insurance confirmation must contain proof of payment.

If sponsor is company or private person from Eritrea:

• From sponsor: ID and bank statements of sponsor for last four months
• From applicant: Pay slips and bank statements of applicant for last four months
• Hotel reservation
• Certified copy of passport including previous visas and valid residence permit for non-Eritreans.

After a visa has been granted:

• Flight booking