Why is Svalbard a No-Visa Territory?
Svalbard, a no-visa territory
The land where you are merely a guest of the Island’s true citizens – The POLAR BEAR!
It is the polar bears’ gem hidden away near the Northern Pole.
In the entirety of the Globe, there exists one country where no one requires a visa or a residence permit to work – the country that is located at the Northernmost North, right before the North pole – Svalbard. A country not many have heard of as it falls under Norway administratively and on the map.
This is an entirely visa-free zone. Which means that anyone from any country can live and work in Svalbard indefinitely. The Svalbard Treaty was signed in the year 1920, which gave the rights to the countries that signed the treaty to do trade, mining, work and research in Svalbard. The treaty was called the Svalbard treaty. The international treaty sets the framework for Norwegian exercise of authority on Svalbard but is limited to some areas.
The Svalbard treaty, Article 3 allows people of the countries who have signed the treaty, to have equal access and stay in Svalbard, therefore the connecting effect, the immigration act of Norway or the other Schengen countries do not apply here. India ( then was under the colonial rule) along with 39 other countries have signed this treaty. The treaty was signed in 1920 ( which is pretty old, and was signed by the Emperor of India in that period of time).
The country allows you to come in and enjoy it, without any major paperwork, although if you are entering from the mainland of Norway, you are required to have either a dual entry Schengen or a multiple entry Schengen… this is required as you are exiting the Schengen region into Svalbard and then enter back if you are going back to Norway…
One can migrate into Svalbard, even though there is no visa requirement there is a catch to migrating into the country… the governor of the place can send you back if he/she sees that you do not have enough funds to sustain yourself in the country, that is only if you do not have a job offer from one of the employers in the country…
Always remember that here, you are just a guest of the Polar Bears. Visit the northernmost-north, the last city before the North Pole, and enjoy your stay!
To understand more about Svalbard, check out my experience there
In case you need help getting there, contact Beyonder Experiences LLP – www.beyonder.travel
Comment (1)
The Svalbard is very Beautifull.