Norwegian Student Visa

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the public agency responsible for processing all applications for a student residence permit in Norway. The student intending to study in any educational institutions of Norway for longer than 3 months period must have a residence permit. But this doesn't apply to students from Nordic countries.

The requirement of visa and residence permit for students depends upon their nationality.

International Students from Non-Nordic and Non-EU/EEA Countries
For International Students from Non-Nordic and Non-EU/EEA Countries, before applying for visa and residence permit, student must have been admitted to full time accredited university studies in Norway. Generally, length undergraduate and post graduate courses are more than 3 months, it is therefore essential to apply and obtain residence permit before entering Norway. Student must submit their application to a Norwegian Foreign Mission in their own country in person. Applications sent by mail or email will not be processed. In some cases the applicant may expect to be called in for an interview. For certain courses whose length is less than 3 month, then the student does not need a residence permit. However, students need a visa before entering into Norway.

International students will be granted a residence permit for study purposes if they have been enrolled for full time study at any recognized educational institutions in Norway. Besides, students need to present the proof that they could support their study and life during their stay in Norway. Also, students must be show that they have made health insurance. The application fee to apply for the visa is NOK 1100 (about USD 180).

The students from following listed countries are referred as students from Non-Nordic and Non-EU/EEA Countries:

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
Armenia
Azerbaijan
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China, People’s Rep. (except Hong Kong and Macao)
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic
Congo, Republic
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia

Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
North Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Morocco

Mozambique
Myanmar (Burma)
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
Northern Mariana Islands
Oman
Pakistan
Palau Islands
Papua New Guinea
Peru
The Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Rwanda
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Samoa
Sao Tome & Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Surinam
Swaziland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor East
Togo

Documentation Required to Submit the Application for Non-Nordic and Non-EU/EEA students

Completely filled application form with a photograph attached.
Copy of valid passport showing the identity of the student.
Certificate showing that the student is enrolled for the full time study in Norwegian educational institute. This is also known as letter of acceptance and it must contain information regarding program for which the applicant is admitted, the duration of the program.
Plan of study stating the progress on studies.
Detail documentation of accommodation.
Certificates showing that the student have comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Norway.
Certificate from a bank confirming that student have enough fund to support their stay in Norway or the necessary documents that show that student have received a scholarship, study grant or any other type of financial aid.

International Students from Non-Nordic EU/EEA Countries
Visa is not required for international students from Non-Nordic EU/EEA countries who is intending to stay for less than 3 months. But if student's studies take longer than 3 month, then they require to apply for the residence permit within three months of their arrival in Norway. However, they may also apply for residence permit in the embassy or consulate of their own home country before entering Norway. Permits are issued by Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Documentation Required to Submit the Application for Non-Nordic EU-EEA Students

Completely filled application form with a photograph attached.
Copy of valid passport showing the identity of the student.
Certificate showing that the student is enrolled for the full time study in Norwegian educational institute. This is also known as letter of acceptance and it must contain information regarding program for which the applicant is admitted, the duration of the program.
Certificates showing that the student have comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Norway.
Certificate from a bank confirming that student have enough fund to support their stay in Norway or the necessary documents that show that student have received a scholarship, study grant or any other type of financial aid.

The students from following listed countries are referred as students from Non-Nordic EU/EEA Countries:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Cyprus
Estonia
France
Germany
Greece

Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta

Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
United Kingdom

International Students from Nordic Countries
Students from Nordic Countries (Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland) are free to study and stay in Norway as long as they want. They do not need to acquire any type of visa or residence permit to stay, work or study in Norway.

See Also..............................................................................................
Admission | Financial Aids | Universities List | Living Cost