Claim foreigners can live in Norwegian town without visa, misleading

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Claim: A Facebook user claims that Svalbard in Norway is the only place you can live and work indefinitely without a visa.

Verdict: Misleading. Although foreigners need not obtain a visa to enter Svalbard, visitors must travel through Norway or the Schengen area, which requires a visa. Meanwhile, visa requirements in Norway depend on the traveller’s country agreement.

Full Text

An aspect of the enthusiasm and excitement of desiring to visit a foreign country is the thumping anxiety about qualifying for a visa for unhindered access to the desired country. However, getting visas into certain countries, especially in Europe, is daunting.

Amidst this reality, a Facebook user, Fact Centre, claims that Svalbard, a part of Norway,  permits foreigners to live indefinitely without a visa requirement. 

“Svalbard, Norway, is the only place in the world where you can live and work indefinitely, without a visa, no matter where you come from,” the user posted.

The post, uploaded in June 2024, has attracted over 70,000 reactions, 2,500 comments, and 5,000 shares.

Some users believed the assertion, while others considered it to be false. 

“But there is a catch to live there. (You) cannot deliver a baby there, and if you are dying, (you) have to leave the place,” Aki Ni Mang Nards commented.  

“But you need a visa to get to Norway,” Yah No objected.

Due to the divergent opinions generated by the assertion, DUBAWA decided to verify it.

Verification

We conducted some keyword searches related to the claim and came across a Sysselmesteren publication about the issuance of visas and access to Svalbard.

According to the publication, the Norwegian authorities do not require a visa from anyone who wants to visit Svalbard. However, one will require a double entry visa, especially if a person is visiting Svalbard through the Norway/Schengen area. To get to Svalbard (a Norwegian Island), a person has to pass through mainland Norway.

The publication further informs us that two or more entry visas are required because Svalbard is not part of the Schengen area even though it is part of Norway. Consequently, if a visa is required for a person to enter the Schengen area, the person will also need a visa to return to Norway after his visit to Svalbard ends. 

Meanwhile, according to the application-processing agency UDI, only citizens of countries that are members of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) are allowed to enter Norway without requiring a visa.  

However, such visitors can stay for up to three months and must inform the police if they intend to stay longer. 

Additionally, certain countries outside the EU and EEA, including the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan, are permitted to visit Norway without meeting visa requirements.

However, China, South Africa, Nigeria, and India are some countries whose citizens require a visa to enter Norway. 

People who intend to visit Norway from countries not designated as visa-free are advised to check their respective countries’ travel guidelines and requirements.

Conclusion

The claim is misleading. Travellers require a visa to Norway before they can access Svalbard. Meanwhile, entrance into Norway with or without a visa depends on the international agreement and conditions between a traveller’s country and Norway.