Do I Need Visa For Svalbard

Svalbard Island is a volcanic island in the Arctic Ocean between Norway and the North Pole. It is located 450 km north of the coast of mainland Norway and its capital is known as Longyearbyen. The archipelago in located very high in the Arctic Circle, and there are no trees present on the island. The climate here is quite cold, with temperatures dropping to -7 degrees during winter months. If you intend to visit Svalbard, this article discusses whether you need visa for Svalbard or not.

Svalbard, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, is part of Norway. Having almost no permanent inhabitants, tourists are welcomed with much warmth and hospitality. Yet, as a traveler, you must realize that you’re visiting a country within the Schengen area and therefore must bear in mind some rules and regulations. We’ll tell you what they are!

Do I Need Visa For Svalbard

Anyone planning to visit or move to Svalbard should be aware of the visa and entry requirements for this exotic territory. This is due to the fact that there are many factors involved and it’s best to weigh them up before you head over. You can check out our article on this matter…

Uniquely, the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, located in the High Arctic, is an entirely visa-free zone. However, travelers who have a visa requirement to enter mainland Norway/the Schengen area must have a Schengen visa if they travel via mainland Norway/the Schengen area. This must be a double-entry visa so they can return to mainland Norway/the Schengen area.^[1]

Those traveling to and from Svalbard must bring passports or national identity cards, as all are subject to identity check. Passports or national identity cards satisfy the Schengen regulatory requirements for identity verification.^[2] Due to a transitional arrangement, Norwegian citizens can also prove their identity with a document issued in Norway which include at least name, photo and date of birth, such as a Norwegian driving licence issued after 1998;^[3] the transitional period ends on 31 August 2022.^[4]

Everybody may live and work in Svalbard indefinitely regardless of country of citizenship. The Svalbard Treaty grants treaty nationals equal right of abode as Norwegian nationals. Non-treaty nationals may live and work indefinitely visa-free as well. Per Sefland, then Governor of Svalbard, said “It has been a chosen policy so far that we haven’t made any difference between the treaty citizens and those from outside the treaty”.^[5] “Regulations concerning rejection and expulsion from Svalbard” are enforced on a non-discriminatory basis. Grounds for exclusion include lack of means of support, and violation of laws or regulations.^[6]

Hans-Henrik Hartmann, then head of the legal unit at the Norwegian government’s immigration department, said, “If an asylum seeker is refused residence in Norway he can settle in Svalbard so long as he can get there and is able to pay for himself.”^[5] Svalbard has a high cost of living, but only a limited welfare system. Welfare and health care is available only for Norwegians and for workers employed by a Norwegian company.^[7]

The Norwegian Nationality Act applies to Svalbard, cf. Section 1. However, the Act does not provide any special rules for foreign nationals residing on Svalbard. Foreigners living on Svalbard must meet the conditions of the law to obtain Norwegian citizenship. In order to acquire Norwegian citizenship upon application, there is, according to the main rule, a requirement to fulfill the conditions for a permanent residence permit, and consequently a requirement for residence on the Norwegian mainland with a residence permit.^[8] Such permits are granted in accordance with the Norwegian Immigration Act. Because the Norwegian Immigration Act does not apply to Svalbard, cf. Section 6, residence on Svalbard does not qualify foreign nationals for residence permits on the Norwegian mainland.^[9]

How to apply for a Svalbard tourist visa from Nigeria

1
Step 1 : Nigerian citizens can arrive at Svalbard without a visa.

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Step 2 : After arriving, Nigerian citizens can go to Svalbard immigration counter.

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Step 3 : Show travel document like Original Passport or Travel document of Nigeria.

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Step 4 : Once you get entry stamp, you can enter Svalbard and stay for the duration on your stamping.

Svalbard tourist visa requirements for Nigerian citizens
5 documents required for Svalbard tourist visa

1
Health Document
Negative COVID-19 PCR test result required for all international travellers coming to Svalbard. The negative PCR test must be issued with in 72 hours of before departure.

2
Vaccination Document
COVID-19 vaccination proof for travellers coming to Svalbard. The last dose of vaccine must be taken atleast 14 ays before departure.

3
Passport
Original Passport or Travel document of Nigeria with at least 6 months remaining validity on the date of travel and have at least 2 visa pages clear of any markings.

4
Travel itinerary
Travel itinerary (travel reservation to and from Nigeria in your name, not a ticket) Embassy recommends not to purchase hotel and flight tickets until visa is approved. So don’t risk your money, time and effort by buying actual tickets. Get best hotel and flight itinerary within minutes for any country visa.

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5
Proof of Funds
Proof of enough money for your stay and to leave Svalbard (Source: https://visalist.io/svalbard/visa-requirements/nigeria )