Due to a continuing increase in the workload at the Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok in connection with the reception of applications for visas and residence permits, the Embassy has decided to outsource part of the application process to an external service provider.
The Norwegian Embassy has entered into an agreement with VFS Global Services in Thailand, a company which currently runs visa application centres for Denmark, Sweden, Britain and Australia in Bangkok.
Please be informed that it is only the Embassy who is entitled to process visa applications and make decisions as to whether a visa may be granted or not. The Visa Application Centre will only receive applications and documents from applicants, which will then be forwarded to the Embassy for further handling. VFS has no influence whatsoever over the outcome of an application.
It is our hope that the new Visa Application Centre will be able to provide a higher level of service for all applicants who wish to apply for visas or residence permits in terms of better access (due to prolonged opening hours and shorter waiting lines), more staff as well as additional services.
The additional services include:
Courier service - Applicants can choose to have the decision of their visa applications, documents and passports couriered (sent by registered mail) to the office or home address by paying a nominal additional fee.
Call-centre - Telephone inquires will be answered between 08.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 15.00 hrs from Monday to Friday.
Photocopying service - There is a photocopying service at the Visa Application Centre for a fee of 3THB for each photocopied sheet
Photograph service - Applicants can have their photographs taken at the Centre. This will ensure that the photograph meets the Schengen requirements.
The address to the Centre is:
Norwegian Visa Application Centre, Unit 4
8th Floor Amarin Tower
No. 496-502 Ploenchit Road Lumpini
Pathumwan Bangkok 10330
MAP
Website: www.vfsglobal.com/norway/thailand
The Norwegian Visa Application Centre is open for visa and residence permit applications between 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 15.00, Monday through Friday.
Applicants can pick up their passports and visas at the Centre between 13.00 - 16.00, Monday through Friday.
Visa Applying Process
Applicants who wish to apply for a Schengen visa (tourist visa) or a 7-day entry visa for spouse (D-visa) are requested to register their applications online using the secure Application Portal before submitting their supporting documents at the Norwegian Visa Application Centre. When registering the application online applicants/sponsors may pay the handling fee of 60 Euros using a credit/debit card (Mastercard or Visa), and then book an appointment for when they would like to show up at the Norwegian Application Centre to submit their passport and supporting documents.
Applications for residence permits may not as yet be registered on the Application Portal.
IMPORTANT
Please note that when booking an appointment through the Application Portal the booking confirmation will show:
Date:
Time:
Place: Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok
Applicants can go directly to the Visa Application Centre to submit their applications at the appointed time even though the booking confirmation shows: Place: Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok.
Those applicants who have already made an appointment in July may go to the Norwegian Application Centre instead of the Embassy from the 14 July 2010.
Those who have registered their applications online and have a prior appointment will be given priority. They may go straight to a designated counter without having to wait in line. We highly recommend that all applications for Schengen visas and 7-day entry visas are registered online prior to showing up at the Application Centre as this contributes to a more efficient and smooth process, and less waiting time for the applicant.
It is also possible for the sponsor in Norway to complete all, or part of the online process for the applicant (e.g. log on and pay the application fee).
For more information on how to register your application online, please click here.
Applicants who have not registered their applications online prior to showing up at the Norwegian Visa Application Centre, may register their applications online at the Visa Application Centre using designated kiosks. Please make sure that you bring a credit/debit card with you to ensure that the visa handling fee of 60 Euros may be paid online using the Application Portal.
Applications for residence permits may be submitted at the Norwegian Visa Applicatioin Centre at any time during opening hours (between 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 15.00, Monday through Friday).
Case handling times:
Schengen visa
The processing time for Schengen visas depends on each individual case. However, applicants should always apply several weeks before the intended journey.
If the case is considered uncomplicated, it can be handled by the Embassy in Bangkok, in which case the average processing time is between 3-5 working days counting from the day the Embassy receives all the required documents (excluding the day of submission and return to VFS).
If the case is considered somewhat complicated, the case will be handled by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). For current processing times at the Directorate of Immigration, please click here.
Submitting Applications at the Embassy
It is also possible to submit a visa or residence permit application directly at the Embassy.
All applicants who wish to apply for a visa at the Embassy must book a prior appointment through VFS (and not the Application Portal). VFS can assist the applicant, free of charge to make an appointment at the Embassy on phone number +66 (0)2256 9179.
The Embassy will receive applications with a prior appointment made through VFS on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 09.00 - 11.00. Please be advised that the Embassy has a limited number of time slots per week, and that the case processing time for visa applications submitted directly at the embassy will be two (2) weeks counting from when the Embassy receives all the required documents.
Fees
Ther is a service charge per application over and above the visa handling fee:
- Online applications (with prior appointment): 535 THB
- Online applications registered by the applicant at the Centre: 645 THB
- Paper Format: 750 THB