Family members and relatives from EU / EEA and UK can now travel to Norway
People from the EEA or UK wishing to visit their girlfriend, boyfriend, grandparents or grandchildren in Norway after months of travel ban can do so since June 19, have announced the Norwegian authorities.
The change comes after the government entered the third phase of reopening, through which many other restrictions such as hotel quarantine and double testing were lifted, in line with the planned launch of the EU vaccination passport COVID-19, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com.
According to a government press release, the borders have opened for people living in EEA countries and the UK, if the traveller’s relationship with a Norwegian resident falls into one of the following categories:
- Adult children and stepchildren and parents and step-parents of adult children / stepchildren
- Grandparents, grandchildren and great grandchildren
- Girlfriend / boyfriend over 18 and her minor children. The relationship must have lasted at least nine months and the parties must have met in person before.
Justice and Emergency Management Minister Monica Mæland said she was aware that many people faced difficulties during the pandemic, unable to see their loved ones in Norway due to the strict entry regime .
“We don’t want to have strict measures any longer than necessary, but we have introduced them to prevent the spread of infection, especially new, more infectious variants of the virus. Even if we are now allowing more people to come, it also means that unfortunately some will still have to wait ”, said Minister Mæland.
Those planning to visit their boyfriend or girlfriend must provide a consent document justifying the visit, which can be obtained by contacting the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Although the application procedures are fully automated and free of charge, people who are refused such a visit cannot appeal about it.
Currently the country is open to close family members of Norwegian residents such as spouse / cohabitant and children. Foreign athletes and their support staff participating in the Oslo Bislett Games and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Conference League are also allowed to enter the country.
A reassessment of entry restrictions aligned with the fourth and final stage of the reopening plan is expected to take place, through which the Norwegian government is expected to open up to all business travelers from the EEA zone, students and members of the families removed from third countries. The easing of restrictions won’t necessarily happen as the country enters the fourth phase of reopening, but relief for students is expected to come before August 1.
Data from the World Health Organization shows that in the past 24 hours, Norway has reported 434 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. The country is implementing the vaccination rollout, thanks to which so far more than half of the population has received at least one injection of COVID vaccines.