Visa applications: Norwegian embassy warns of private agents

The Norwegian embassy in Colombo on Friday advised against private agents charging fees for assistance with visa applications to Norway.

Many agents, who charge exuberant fees for their services, give incorrect and misleading information about the procedures, fees and documentation required to obtain permits as skilled job seekers in Norway. They also seem to give incorrect information about the actual job possibilities in Norway, Deputy chief of Mission Jon Otto Brodholt said.

The Norwegian Labour Ministry decided that no more work permits will be granted for the time being. This is due to the high number of applications and a need for more information about the qualifications and the documentation presented by skilled job-seekers from certain counties, Sri Lanka included, he said. For any other visas to Norway. VFS Sri Lanka located in the World Trade Centre is the only centre authorised by the Norwegian embassy to receive application forms.

Applications for visas to Norway should be submitted to VFS which will forward them to the embassy. Applicants are advised to sue the information and check-list at the embassy's website and follow the instructions how to register appreciation online. Applicants can call the embassy on 011 3168865 or 3168866 between 11 a.m. And noon Monday to Thursday if they are in need for information regarding the application procedures, use of agents or application fees.

Check embassy's website www.norway.lk for updates.