FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
General questions
What types of food can I bring/send into the U.S.?
What about tobacco and
"snus"?
Do I need an international drivers license in the
US?
I would like to study in the US - what do I
do?
How much money can I bring to the U.S.?
May I take my pet with me to the US?
Can I travel with my medications and medical
devices?
May I take my pet with me to the US?
I am not a U.S. citizen, but I want to join your Armed Forces. How can I do
this?
VISA
Do I need a visa to go to the U.S.?
I was arrested or convicted of a crime. Do I need
a visa?
I am not Norwegian. Can I apply for a visa at the
Embassy in Oslo?
General questions
What types of food can I bring/send into the U.S.?
We often get questions about what types of food are allowed past US Customs. These rules are decided by the US Customs and Border Protection, (often in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture.)
As a general rule, fish is usually allowed in most forms (raw, smoked, cured, frozen, haphazardly packed, vacuum packed, etc). Soft cheeses such as brie and camembert are not allowed, but hard cheeses such as brown goat cheese (brunost) are. Currently, meat from Norway is not allowed in any form, and all fruits and vegetables must be declared and are most likely not allowed. Chocolate and other candies are allowed. Please consult the Customs and Border Protection website (www.cbp.gov) to be completely sure!
What about tobacco and "snus"?
You are permitted to bring 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes (one carton) into the U.S. duty free, or one roll ("stock") of snuff (snus) into the U.S. duty free.
Do I need an international drivers license in the US?
Norway and the United States are both party
to the 1949 International Convention on Road Traffic. Visitors from signatory
nations may drive on the roads of other signatory nations using his or her own
country’s license (limited to a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old and
limited to a vehicle of the type covered by the license) for up to 1 year from
the date of arrival. The Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF - Norges
Automobil-Forbund) nonetheless recommends that you have an international
driver's license in addition to your ordinary drivers license for driving in all
non-EEA nations. You can get an international drivers license from any NAF
office, member offices as well as the main office.
Driver permits in the U.S. are managed on a state level, at the Department for Motor Vehicles.
I would like to study in the US - what do I do?
Please check the education part of our website.
How much money can I bring to the U.S.?
There is no limit on the total amount of monetary instruments that may be brought into or taken out of the U.S. However, if you transport more than $10.000 in monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the U.S., a report must be filed with U.S. Customs. The form FinCEN 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments) may be obtained when entering or leaving the U.S. from a customs official. Failure to declare currency in amounts over $10,000 may be subject to forfeiture and could result in civil and criminal penalties.
May I take my pet with me to the US?
For information on travelling to the US with your pet, or on what items you can bring to the U.S., please see the U.S. Cusoms and Border Protection websites.
Can I travel with my medications and medical devices?
Prescription medications should be in their original containers, it is advised that you travel with no more than personal use quantities, a rule of thumb is no more than a 90 day supply. If medications or devices are not in their original containers, you should have a copy of your prescription with you. See U.S. Customs and Boder Protection website for more information on the matter.
May I take my pet with me to the US?
For information on travelling to the US with your pet, or on what items you can bring to the U.S., please see the U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites.
I am not a U.S. citizen, but I want to join your Armed Forces. How can I do this?
Enlistment into any branch of the U.S. military,
by citizens of countries other than the United States is limited to those
foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States and possess a
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Alien Registration Card (INS Form
I-151/551 - commonly known as a "Green Card").
The U.S. military branches
cannot assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the United States.
People overseas with questions concerning immigration to the United States
should ask the local U.S. Embassy. Only after immigration procedures are
completed and an applicant is legally residing in the United States may an
application for enlistment be accepted.
VISA
Do I need a visa to go to the U.S.?
If you are a Norwegian citizen holding a machine-readable passport and you are going to the U.S. for a stay of less than 90 days with a round-trip ticket and traveling for general business (meetings, conference, etc.) or tourist purposes, then you can probably travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program. Find more information of our Visa Waiwer page.
I was arrested or convicted of a crime. Do I need a visa?
Anyone who has been arrested or convicted for a crime
involving moral turpitude or controlled substances (regardless of how long ago)
is ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a visa. If there is
any doubt regarding the nature of the offense, it is advisable to apply for a
visa. In addition to usual requirements for a visa application, the applicant
would need to submit all court records and a recent police record
(Politiattest). Processing can sometimes be quicker if you submit English
translations as well as the Norwegian originals.
A crime such as speeding
does not necessarily prevent you from using the Visa Waiver Program. When
completing the Visa Waiver Program questionnaire given to you on the aircraft or
the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) you must answer truthfully
the question about whether you have ever been arrested or convicted.
Consequently, you should to carry with you documentation (e.g. court records) to
show you were not jailed and that the offense was not more serious. You may
prefer to apply for a visa and bring such documentation with you to your visa
interview.
If you have been convicted of driving while under the
influence of alcohol during the last three calendar years or more than once in
your entire life, you will need to apply for a visa and may be required to have
a medical evaluation by a physician.
I am not Norwegian. Can I apply for a visa at the Embassy in Oslo?
Anyone who is present in Norway may apply for a visa here; HOWEVER, it is difficult for people who are visiting Norway temporarily or who have lived in Norway for only a few years to qualify for a visa because they are not likely to possess or be able to demonstrate the strong and permanent ties to Norway or their country of residence that prove that they will be returning to Norway or some other location abroad at the end of their visit to the U.S. We cannot evaluate your case until you apply, so you should not call the Embassy with specific details about your personal situation. Please check out our consular pages for more information.
ESTA
ESTA is an Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Beginning January 12th, 2009, all Norwegian citizens must obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Read more about ESTA and how to register here.