Norway is a popular destination for international students. Norway is known for its high academic standards, modern educational facilities, and distinctive student experience.
If you are an aspiring student who wants to pursue higher education in this Scandinavian country, one of the questions you may have is, “What is the process for obtaining a student visa?” In Norway, the official term for the authorization required by most students from outside the EU/EEA is a residence permit for studies, also called a study permit. Follow this guide to learn how to apply for a Norwegian study permit.
Steps on Applying for a Norwegian Student Visa
We will go over the main stages involved in applying for a Norwegian study permit. The exact process and documentation depend on your citizenship, where you apply, and the type of educational institution you will attend.
Step 1. Gather the Requirements
The requirements are outlined on the UDI website. UDI provides a personalized checklist based on factors such as your citizenship and type of study. For university and university college studies, you generally need admission to an approved full-time program, sufficient funds for living expenses, money to cover tuition fees when applicable, and somewhere to live. Gather a valid passport and every document included in your personalized checklist before submitting your application.
Step 2. Sign Up to UDI
Create an account or log in through UDI’s digital application service. Complete the online application using accurate and complete information, pay the required fee, and follow the instructions on your application receipt. In most cases, applicants applying from abroad must then attend an appointment at an embassy or a VFS Application Centre to submit their documents. Applicants applying in Norway may be directed to the police. Missing information or documents can delay the application. UDI may contact you if it needs additional information, but you should submit a complete application whenever possible.
Step 3. Pay for the Application
The UDI application fee for a study permit is NOK 5,400 for applicants aged 18 or older and NOK 2,700 for applicants under 18. The fee can be paid online using Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. If you submit your application through a VFS Application Centre, additional service or courier fees may apply. An application fee generally cannot be refunded after you have attended your appointment and submitted the application in person.
Step 4. Wait for the Interview Call
After registering your application online, attend the document-submission appointment specified in your application instructions. This appointment is not necessarily a final interview, and UDI does not list a separate interview as a standard step for every study permit applicant. If UDI needs more information or additional investigations, the police, embassy, VFS Application Centre, or UDI will contact you. Respond promptly to any request for additional documents or information.
Step 5. Wait for the Student Visa
There is no standard processing time of 15 to 20 days for a Norwegian study permit. Waiting times vary by permit type and may change while an application is being processed. Check UDI’s study permit waiting-time guide for current information. The waiting period is normally calculated from the date you submit your documents to the police, embassy, or VFS Application Centre, rather than the date you complete the online form.
UDI normally notifies applicants by email or SMS when it receives the application and when a decision has been made. Applicants must usually wait for a decision before traveling to Norway. If your application is approved and you require a visa to enter Norway, the responsible embassy or VFS Application Centre will contact you about an entry visa. Applicants who applied from abroad must also follow the instructions for obtaining a Norwegian residence card after arrival.
Documents Needed for Norwegian Student Visa
EU/EEA and Swiss students do not apply for a Norwegian study permit. Those who will study and live in Norway for more than three months must generally register under the EU/EEA registration scheme. Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden follow the separate rules for Nordic citizens and report their move to the National Population Register when required.
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA generally need a study permit if they will study in Norway for more than three months. The exact documents depend on the applicant’s citizenship and circumstances. They commonly include a valid passport, confirmation of admission to an approved full-time educational program, documentation of sufficient funds, proof of housing, and documentation showing that tuition fees have been paid or can be covered when tuition applies. The funds normally need to be documented in the manner specified by UDI, such as through loans, grants, a Norwegian bank account, or the educational institution’s deposit account.
The educational institution must be included on the NOKUT list of approved or accredited institutions. Applicants should follow their personalized UDI checklist rather than submit a separate letter claiming that the institution is registered with NOKUT unless UDI specifically requests one.
The process of applying for a study permit in Norway is manageable when you follow UDI’s personalized instructions and submit complete documentation. We hope you found our guide to obtaining a Norwegian study permit helpful and informative. If you are interested, check out Available Programs in Europe as well as the articles on our Study in Norway!
