Norway has been represented in the South Central Region of the United States since it opened its first Honorary Vice Consulate in New Orleans in 1906. The Consulate General has been located in Houston since 1977.
Opening hours
We are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The opening hours for Visa and Permit applications are 9:30 am - 12 noon. Please note that the Consulate General only accepts applications for visas and permits after appointment is booked online. We will accept applications for passports during office hours by appointment only. For more information, or to book an appointment, please contact us by e-mail: cg.houston@mfa.no
The Consulate General is closed for visas, permits or passports on Wednesdays.
Please note that the Consulate General is closed on the following dates 2011:
January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20 - Presidents’ Day
April 6 - Good Friday
May 17 - Norway’s Constitution Day
May 28 - Memorial Day
July 4 - USA Independence Day
September 3 - Labor Day
November 12 - Veterans’ Day
November 22 - Thanksgiving Day
December 26 - Boxing Day
Consular Services
The Consulate General in Houston provides consular services in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The Consulate General supervises 10 Honorary Consulates/Consulates General under its jurisdiction. The main consular services provided are:
- Issuing passports for Norwegian citizens in the region.
- Assisting Norwegian nationals.
- Performing notarial acts, serving writs.
- Issuing visitor’s visas for Norway.
- Issuing work-permits and residence permits for foreigners traveling to Norway.
- Assisting Norwegian vessels and aircrafts and their crews and exercising supervisory activities on behalf of the Norwegian government.
In addition, the Consulate General is actively engaged in furthering the development of commercial, economic, cultural and scientific relations between Houston and Norway. Strong ties already exist in a number of sectors, particularly with respect to oil and gas and shipping.
Languages Spoken at Various Locations
Career Mission:
Houston, Texas – Norwegian and English
Honorary Consulates General/Consulates:
Omaha, Nebraska – English only
Tulsa, Oklahoma - English only
Dallas, Texas - English only
New Orleans, Louisiana - English only
Mobile, Alabama - English only
Jacksonville, Florida - English only
Tampa, Florida - English only
Miami, Florida – Norwegian and English
San Juan, Puerto Rico – English and Spanish (Note: materials that need to be forwarded to other locations must be English)
Ponce, Puerto Rico - English and Spanish (Note: materials that need to be forwarded to other locations must be English)
Please find contact information for the Honorary Consulates General/Consulates here.
Trade promotion and business expansion
Innovation Norway and INTSOK focuses on facilitating business relations for Norwegian companies wishing to establish themselves in the region, or do business with firms located in the region. Currently more than 140 Norwegian firms – mainly in the petroleum and maritime sectors – are established in Houston.
Education
The South Central Region is home to a number of renowned universities and colleges. If you are a Norwegian student requiring information or assistance, please contact the Student Coordinator at the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York, (cg.newyork@mfa.no, phone: 1 212 421 7333). The coordinator will also be able to provide information on studies in Norway.