Citizens of Russia can now apply for visa to Norway on the Internet. This applies to both individuals and groups.
- Application on the Internet will make it much easier for applicants and will also lighten the workload of the employees at the embassy considerably, says Director General of the UDI, Ida Børresen
- Moscow is the third pilot station to launch Visa on the Internet. The first two were Edinburgh and Kiev. The reason why Moscow was chosen is the need to try Visa on the Internet at a big foreign service mission. Moscow is the largest Foreign Service Mission receiving thousands of visa applications. They received 28 550 visa applications from June 2007 to July 2008.
A lot of time will be saved by the Foreign Service Mission when a visa applicant can apply and register directly on the Internet. There will not be a problem with wrong spelling of names as this often happens when an applicant’s handwriting is not very clear and distinct. The experience from Edinburgh and Kiev shows that between four and ten minutes is saved per application. This will mean a lot for a big Foreign Service Mission such as Moscow.
Group applications
One other important reason for Visa on the Internet in Moscow is the city's many travel agencies who apply for visa on behalf of their customers. With Visa on the Internet, there is a system developed for group registration. The solution has been incorporated in such a way that, the travel agencies can register the applications themselves.
Booking
As a general rule, an applicant is to meet at the embassy to submit a visa application. This often leads to long queues, but Visa on the Internet has a booking system which allows the applicant to book an appointment to submit all required documents. This is a better service for the applicant who meets at the time agreed upon, than to stand in a long queue at a Foreign Service Mission. This also gives the embassy better control over their workday.
Electronic payment
Visa on the Internet contains a payment solution where payment can be made by using the most common credit/debit cards. The visa fee is paid electronically on the secure Visa Portal before the application processing starts. The fee goes directly to the particular Foreign Service Mission.
Visa on the Internet is a Portal solution. The applicants get electronic guidance as they complete the application form. They can later check on the status of their application by logging on to the Portal. In addition, it is possible to receive text messages on their telephones and e-mail if the status of their application changes in the course of the case processing period.
Visa on the Internet will be evaluated in the autumn and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will determine whether Visa on the Internet will be extended to all the Norwegian Foreign Service Missions.
