Student Visa for Norway – Eligibility, Requirements, Cost

If you want to study in Norway, you will need a student visa for Norway. This will let you live, study, and even work part-time in Norway. This article will discuss the Norway student visa, its eligibility, visa requirements, documents needed, costs, and more. So, let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Norway Student Visa Eligibility:
  • Acceptance into a Norwegian university or college.
  • Full-time study commitment.
  • Financial capability of at least NOK 123,519 per year.
  • Arrangement of accommodation.
• Cost of Norway Student Visa:
  • Around USD 545.
  • No fee for applicants under 18.
  • Additional service fee at Visa Application Centers.
• Duration and Renewal:
  • Visa duration matches the study period.
  • The renewal process was initiated online through UDI.
  • Appointment is required at the local police station.
• Work and Dependents:
  • Part-time work allowed up to 20 hours per week.
  • Family members are eligible for a Norway Family Visa.
  • Dependent categories include spouse, partner, cohabitant, and children under 18.

Who Needs a Norway Student Visa?

If you want to study in Norway for a long time, you will need a Norway Student Visa. This is important for all international students. This includes those from the US and Canada, even if you can normally visit Norway without a visa.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements for a Student Visa for Norway?

If you want to study in Norway, there are some things you need to do to get a Student Visa:

1. First, you have to be accepted into a Norwegian university or college that the Norwegian Agency approves for Quality Assurance in Education.
2. Your study must be full-time. 
3. You need enough money to pay for your tuition and living expenses. This means having at least NOK 123,519 (around USD 13,600) per year for living expenses, on top of tuition fees. You will need to keep this money in a Norwegian bank account.
4. You can use your own money, student loans, or grants to cover these costs. If you have a part-time job, the money you earn from that can also count towards what you need.
5. You must find a place to live in Norway.

What Are The Documents Required For Norway Student Visa?

When you apply for a Norway Student Visa, you will need to gather some important documents:

1. First, you will need your passport and copies of the pages with stamps or visas.
2. Then, you will have to fill out the Norway Student Visa Application Form online and print it out.
3. Don’t forget to include two recent passport-size photos with a white background.
4. You will also need a Letter of Admission from your school, stating details about your course and its duration.
5. You might need proof of grants, bank statements from a Norwegian bank account, or a work contract if you will be working part-time to show you can support yourself financially.
6. If your school requires tuition fees, you will need proof of payment or funds to cover it.
7. You must also provide proof of accommodation, like a rental contract or a statement from your school if they provide housing.
8. If you are applying from a country other than your home country, you will need to show that you are there legally, such as with a Residence Permit.
9. For younger applicants aged 15-18, additional documents like a birth certificate and a consent form from your parents or legal guardians are required.
10. Make sure to check the official checklist from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration to ensure you have all the necessary documents.

What Are The Documents Guidelines For Norway Student Visa?

When you submit your documents, make sure to include both the original and copies of them.

Your documents should be in English or Norwegian. If they are not, you will need to provide a translation by a licensed translator along with the original.

Some papers might need to be legalized with an Apostille Stamp, especially civil documents.

Don’t forget to print out the checklist to make sure you have everything.

Depending on your country and situation, the embassy might ask for extra documents, so please be prepared for that.

How to Apply for a Student Visa for Norway?

Here is how you can apply for a student visa to Norway:

1. To apply for a Norwegian Student Visa, start by gathering all the papers you need. 
2. Then, go online to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website to fill out the application form. 
3. You will need to create an account if you do not have one already. After that, pay the visa fee using your debit or credit card.
4. Next, schedule an appointment at the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Visa Application Center in your country. 
5. When you go to your appointment, bring all your documents with you and hand them in for your visa application.
6. The Embassy or Visa Application Center will send your application to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in Norway. They will review your application and let you know their decision.

It’s important to remember that even though people often call it a “Student Visa,” the official document from the UDI is called a “Norwegian Residence Permit for Studying.”

Can You Apply for a Norwegian Visa From Within Norway?

Yes, you can do so by following the steps given below:

1. If you are already in Norway and want to apply for a student visa, make sure you are there legally with another residence permit. 
2. Then, gather all the papers you need and fill out the online application on the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website. 
3. Do not forget to pay the visa fee. 
4. Finally, take your application to the local police station or the Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA), depending on where you live in Norway.

Cost of Norway Student Visa

The fee for a Norway Student Visa is around USD 545. Its neighbor Sweden takes around USD 100 for student visas. You need to pay with your credit or debit card when you apply online on the Directorate of Immigration website. 

If you are under 18, you do not have to pay. If you cannot pay online, you might be able to pay when you submit your application at the Embassy or Visa Application Center. If you go to a Visa Application Center, you will also have to pay a service fee.

Health Insurance for International Students in Norway

If you are planning to stay in Norway for more than a year, you will join the National Insurance Scheme. This means you will have a General Practitioner for medical care. But if your studies or visa are for less than a year, you should get private international health insurance.

Duration of Norway Student Visa

When you get your Norwegian Student Visa, it matches the length of your studies. The visa says how long you can stay in Norway to study.

Can You Renew a Norway Student Visa?

When you need to extend your Norway Student Visa, start by going online to the UDI website. Use the same account you used before. You should do this about three months before your visa ends. 

You will also need to make an appointment at the local police station. There, you will hand in your documents. It might take some time to get an appointment, so it’s good to start early. Remember, you have to keep up with your studies to renew your visa.

Can You Switch from a Norway Student Visa to a Work Visa?

If you get a job while studying in Norway and meet the requirements, you can apply for a Norway Work Visa. Even if you do not have a job yet, you might be able to apply for a Job Seeker Visa after graduation. 

This allows you to stay in Norway while you search for work. Just make sure you have enough money to cover your expenses each month (around USD 2,280), and you must have a degree from a Norwegian university.

Can You Get a Permanent Residence Permit After Student Visa?

You cannot switch from a Student Residence Permit to a Permanent Residence Permit, even if you have lived in Norway for more than three years. 

The time you spend as a student in Norway doesn’t count toward getting permanent residence. If you want a Permanent Residence Permit, you should apply for a Work Visa.

Can You Work With a Norway Student Visa?

With a Student Visa, you can work part-time in Norway, up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and full-time during holidays. 

You don’t need a separate work permit; it’s included with your Student Visa. However, please note that you cannot start your own business while studying in Norway.

Can You Have Dependents With a Norway Student Visa?

If you get a Norway Student Visa, you can bring your family with you using a Norway Family Visa. They can apply together with you or join you later. The family members you can bring are: 

• your spouse or partner
• your cohabitant (if you are both over 24 and either expecting a child or have lived together for two years)
• your children under 18

Other Types of Study Visas for Norway

Besides attending university in Norway, you have other options for Study Visas:

1. Norway Study Visa for Upper Secondary School:
   • You can go to a Norwegian school through an exchange program.
   • You can enroll in an IB (International Baccalaureate) program.
   • You can join specific institutions like the Norwegian College of Elite Sport, Barrat Due Institute of Music, or the Bårdar Academy.
2. Norway Study Visa for Vocational Studies:
   • You can attend a vocational school approved by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
3. Norway Study Visa for Folk High School:
   • You can attend a program listed by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training.
   • You should not have had a previous visa for attending a religion/belief-based school or a folk high school.
4. Norway Study Visa for a Religious School (Bible School):
   • You can enroll in a school authorized by the Adult Education Act.
   • You should not have had a previous visa for attending a religion/belief-based school or a folk high school.
5. Norway Student Visa for University Summer School:
   • If you want to attend a Summer School, you will need a short-term Norway Visa.

Student Visa for Norway Summary

Criteria	Description
Eligibility	Accepted by approved university, full-time studies, financial support (NOK 123,519/year + tuition), residence in Norway
Documents	Passport (copy), Application Form, Photos, Acceptance Letter, Financial Proof (bank statement/grants/part-time job income), Proof of Accommodation, Tuition Payment Proof (if applicable), Residence Permit (if applying from another country), Birth Certificate & Parental Consent (for 15-18-year-olds)
Application Process	1. Gather documents 2. Apply online (UDI website) 3. Pay fee & schedule appointment 4. Apply to the embassy/center
Cost	NOK 4900 (approx. USD 545), except for applicants under 18
Renewal	Apply online 3 months before expiry, attend the appointment at the local police station
Work Permit	Allowed (part-time during semester, full-time during holidays)
Dependents	Spouse/partner, cohabitant (with child or 2+ years cohabitation), children under 18 (Norway Family Visa)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Studying in Norway is a great chance for international students. But to do so, you need to get a student visa for Norway. You will find stunning scenery, excellent schools, and lots of chances to connect with teachers. 

Norway is safe and helps you grow both academically and personally. There are lots of different programs, fees are not too high, and life quality is good. This makes Norway a popular choice for students looking for a great education overseas.