Visa FAQ
If you are unable to find the answer to your question on this page, please see the following links to our website for more frequently asked questions:
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What is a visa?
What is a visa?
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A
visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A visa entitles the
holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does
not guarantee entry.
An immigration inspector at the port of entry determines the visa holder's eligibility for admission into the United States.
Norwegians may travel to the U.S. without a visa in some cases (see below); they are traveling on the Visa Waiver Program, which means that the requirement to have a visa to enter the U.S. is waived, or lifted.
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A
visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A visa entitles the
holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does
not guarantee entry.
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Do I need a visa to go to the U.S.?
Do I need a visa to go to the U.S.?
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If you are a Norwegian citizen holding a
machine-readable passport and you are going to the U.S. for a stay of
less than 90 days with a round-trip ticket and traveling for general
business (meetings, conference, etc.) or tourist purposes, then you can
probably travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program.
See http://niv_waiver_program.html for more information.
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If you are a Norwegian citizen holding a
machine-readable passport and you are going to the U.S. for a stay of
less than 90 days with a round-trip ticket and traveling for general
business (meetings, conference, etc.) or tourist purposes, then you can
probably travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program.
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I just need to go through (transit) the U.S. to get to another country. I don't even plan to leave the airport. Do I need a visa?
I just need to go through (transit) the U.S. to get to another country. I don't even plan to leave the airport. Do I need a visa?
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If you are eligible to travel on the
Visa Waiver Program, you may also transit the U.S. without a visa.
If you are not eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program, you are not eligible to transit the U.S. without a visa.
If you need to get a transit (C-1) visa, you will provide the same documents as you would if you were applying for a tourist (B-2) visa.
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If you are eligible to travel on the
Visa Waiver Program, you may also transit the U.S. without a visa.
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How long can I stay in the United States?
How long can I stay in the United States?
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If you are traveling without a visa
under the Visa Waiver Program, you may remain in the U.S. for up to 90
days.
If you have a visa, when you enter the U.S., the immigration inspector will decide how long you may stay, depending on what kind of visa you have.
For B-1/B-2 (tourist or business) visa holders, a stay of 6 months is usually granted. Students with F-1 visas may stay up to 60 days past the program end date (date can be found in I-20 form) Students with M-1 or exchange visitors with J-1 visas may stay up to 30 days past the program end date (in I-20 or DS-2019).
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If you are traveling without a visa
under the Visa Waiver Program, you may remain in the U.S. for up to 90
days.
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How long will my visa last? How long can I get a visa for?
How long will my visa last? How long can I get a visa for?
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A tourist or business visa for a
Norwegian citizen may be issued for as long as ten years; however, the
length of time your visa will be valid will depend on your personal
situation.
Remember that a visa only gives you permission to apply for entry to the U.S.; a 10-year visa means that you may apply for entry to the U.S. for 10 years, not that you can STAY in the U.S. for 10 years!
The consular officer will decide how long your visa will be valid after you have your interview (or, if you are applying by mail, when he/she is adjudicating your application).
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A tourist or business visa for a
Norwegian citizen may be issued for as long as ten years; however, the
length of time your visa will be valid will depend on your personal
situation.
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Is there a limit to the number of times that I may travel to the U.S. under the VWP (visa free) in any given period of time?
Is there a limit to the number of times that I may travel to the U.S. under the VWP (visa free) in any given period of time?
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No, there is no such limit, nor is there
a minimum period of time that you are required to remain outside the
U.S. before going back.
However, if you are a frequent traveler to the U.S., you should be sure to carry with you (1) evidence of your residence abroad and (2) evidence of funds sufficient for your stay in the U.S.
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No, there is no such limit, nor is there
a minimum period of time that you are required to remain outside the
U.S. before going back.
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Does my Norwegian passport need to be valid for at least 6 months?
Does my Norwegian passport need to be valid for at least 6 months?
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No, Norway is one of the countries that is exempt from the requirement that a passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day that you enter the U.S.
If you hold a non-Norwegian passport, please send us an e-mail (oslovisa@state.gov) to check.
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No, Norway is one of the countries that is exempt from the requirement that a passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day that you enter the U.S.
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My old visa says "Indefinite"; is it still valid?
My old visa says "Indefinite"; is it still valid?
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These "Indefinite" validty visas are no longer valid. However, you can probably travel now on the Visa Waiver
Program, that is, without a visa.
See http://niv_waiver_program.html for more information.
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These "Indefinite" validty visas are no longer valid. However, you can probably travel now on the Visa Waiver
Program, that is, without a visa.
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I am a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)/"Green Card" holder. Do I need a machine-readable passport to travel into the U.S.?
I am a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)/"Green Card" holder. Do I need a machine-readable passport to travel into the U.S.?
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No. The only people who need
machine-readable passports are people going to the U.S. under the Visa
Waiver Program (VWP) for short trips for business or tourism as of
October 26, 2004.
If you are traveling to the U.S. as an LPR, then you are not traveling under the VWP and you do not need a machine-readable passport.
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No. The only people who need
machine-readable passports are people going to the U.S. under the Visa
Waiver Program (VWP) for short trips for business or tourism as of
October 26, 2004.
Traveling to the U.S.?
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Register online NOW!
ESTA = Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
- Find more information about ESTA
- ESTA Frequently Asked Questions
- Register here!
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