A student visa in Norway is a type of visa granted to prospective students who wish to enter Norway solely to study. If your course of study will last longer than three months, you will need to apply for a student residence permit in Norway.
They will grant only the residence permit if you can demonstrate that you will return to your home country after completing your education. You cannot work with this permit, as it is valid for the duration of your studies.
Do you want to know how to apply for a student visa in Norway? Maybe you’ve applied before, but they turned your application down, and you’re wondering what went wrong. This is where you need to be, and we wrote this article specifically for you.
You will find everything you need to know and everything you need to do to apply for a student visa in Norway the right way. Make sure you read to the end to get a complete understanding of how to apply for a Norway student visa.
Table of contents
- Types of Students Visas in Norway
- How Student Visas Work in Norway
- Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
- How Long is the Norway Student Visa Valid?
- Fees and Cost of Student Visa in Norway
- How to Apply for a Student Visa in Norway
- Students’ Visa Processing Time in Norway
- Can I get Students Visa in Norway Without IELTS?
- Working While Studying in Norway
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusions
- References
Types of Students Visas in Norway
Aside from studying at a Norwegian university, the following Study Visas for Norway are also available:
1. Upper Secondary School Students Visa
To get this visa, you must have been admitted to one of the following programs:
A) An exchange partnership with a Norwegian school.
B) An IB (International Baccalaureate) course of study.
C)Acceptance into the Norwegian College of Elite Sport, the Barrat Due Institute of Music, or the Brdar Academy.
2. Vocational Studies in Norway require a study visa from Norway.
The vocational school must be on the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education’s accredited schools (NOKUT) list.
3. Norway Study Visa for Folk High School students
The program must be included on the Norwegian Directorate of Education and Training list. To attend a religion/belief-based or folk high school, you must not have previously held a visa.
4. Norway Study Visa for Religious Education (Bible School)
The Adult Education Act must authorize the school. To attend a religion/belief-based or folk high school, you must not have previously held a visa.
5. Norway Student Visa for a Summer University Course.
A short-term Norway visa is required to attend Summer School.
Read this: How To Get A Student Visa In Taiwan | Step To Step Procedures
How Student Visas Work in Norway
You can travel to Norway and begin your studies once you have received your Student Visa (Residence Permit for Studying). Suppose you are from a country that normally requires a Norwegian visa.
In that case, the UDI will simply issue you an entry visa, which you can pick up at the Embassy/Visa Application Center and use to travel to Norway.
If you are from a country that does not require a Norwegian visa before travel, you can simply enter Norway within the deadline. Generally, a student residence permit does not grant the right to work in Norway.
However, if you are granted a study permit, they also grant you the right to work part-time. EU/EEA students do not require a work permit and may work in Norway after registering with the police.
Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
To obtain a Student Visa in Norway, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a student at a Norwegian university or college.
- The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education must accredit the universities college (NOKUT).
- Your studies must be completed full-time.
- You must be able to cover your tuition and living expenses. In addition to tuition, you’ll need at least NOK 123,519 (approx. USD 13,600) in living expenses per year. This must be kept in a Norwegian bank account. The funds can come from your pocket, student loans, or grants. You can deduct the money from your required amount if you get a part-time job.
- You must have found lodging in Norway.
Requirements
In addition to the above-mentioned points, you are also required to submit these documents when applying for a student visa in Norway-
Your passport. You must also include copies of the pages from your passport that have been used.
The Application form for a Student Visa to Norway. You must print this after completing the online application on the Immigration Directorate’s website.
- Two passport-sized photographs of yourself They must be recent and have a white background.
- The Admission Letter to the School. The letter must include your name, course of study, level of study, and duration of the program.
- Evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to support your stay in Norway. As an example:
- Evidence that you receive grants or funds, such as a Letter of Support from the State Education Loan Fund (Lnekassen).
- Bank statements from a Norwegian bank account. You can open a bank account on your own or have your university do so on your behalf.
- A part-time work contract that specifies the hours you will work, your salary, and the length of the contract.
- Proof that you can afford to pay your tuition (if required). For example, a payment receipt from the university, or proof that you have the funds through one of the methods described above. The tuition funds must be in addition to the funds required for living expenses.
- Evidence of accommodation If you want to study in Norway, you must show that you have a place to live. As an example:
- If you are renting, you must have a written rental contract.
- If your school provides you with housing, it must be stated in the Admission Letter.
- Also, if you apply from a country other than your own, please include the following information: Evidence that you are legally present.
How Long is the Norway Student Visa Valid?
A Norwegian Student Visa is typically issued and renewed for the length of your studies. When you receive the Study Permit, it will state how long it will be valid.
International students are allowed to stay in Norway for up to one year after graduating from a Norwegian university or university college to look for work.
Please keep in mind that you must apply for a residence permit as a job seeker before your current permit expires and after you finish your degree.
Fees and Cost of Student Visa in Norway
The fee for a student visa to Norway is NOK 4,900. (appx. USD 545). Minors (those under the age of 18) are eligible to apply for free. When you apply on the Directorate of Immigration’s website, you must pay the fee with your credit/debit card.
If you are unable to pay online, you may be able to pay the fee at the Embassy or Visa Application Center when you submit your application.
You must also pay a service fee if you apply at a Visa Application Center.
Also, check this: Easy Step by Step Procedure to Get a J-1 Student Visa
How to Apply for a Student Visa in Norway
To apply for a Norwegian Student Visa, you must first apply online and then submit your documents to the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Visa Application Center. Here’s a more in-depth explanation of the procedure:
- Collect the necessary documents.
- Complete the online application at the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website. You must first create an account. Log in with your existing account if you have one.
- Pay the Norway Student Visa application fee. Online, using a debit/credit card.
- Make an appointment with your country’s Norwegian Embassy or Visa Application Center.
- Submit the necessary documentation for the Student Visa application.
- The Embassy/VAC will forward your application to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
- The UDI reviews your application and notifies you of the outcome.
Students’ Visa Processing Time in Norway
Processing times for student visas in Norway will vary and may take two months or more. Therefore, it is advisable to apply as soon as you are able. It usually also varies according to country.
Can I get Students Visa in Norway Without IELTS?
It is possible to study in Norway without taking the IELTS exam. Even though Norwegian is the native language, universities in Norway offer a wide range of English courses. It is necessary to provide proof of English proficiency.
Working While Studying in Norway
If you find a job in Norway while studying and meet the requirements, you may apply for a Norway Work Visa.
Even if you do not yet have a job, you may be able to apply for a Job Seeker Visa, which allows you to stay in Norway after graduation while you look for work.
However, you must have sufficient funds to cover your stay (NOK 20, 521 or approximately USD 2,280 per month) as well as a degree from a Norwegian university.
You can read this: How To Change Your Student Visa To Green card
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply for Norwegian citizenship, you must have spent at least seven of the last ten years in Norway. This means that you must have spent only two months per year outside of Norway in the last ten years, and your total time in Norway must be at least seven years.
In addition to tuition, you’ll need at least NOK 123,519 (approx. USD 13,600) in living expenses per year. This must be kept in a Norwegian bank account. The funds can come from your pocket, student loans, or grants.
You will be required to attend a visa interview during the application process. The Norwegian Residence Permit for Studies is valid for the course duration. You may need to renew your visa every year to stay for the duration of your degree program.
You must apply for a study permit if you intend to study or attend school in Norway for more than three months. If you are granted a study permit, you will be able to work up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time during the holidays.
Tuition fees are not charged at public universities in Norway, regardless of the student’s country of origin. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn a degree at a top-tier university for free, and it is one of the many reasons why Norway has become a popular destination for international students.
Conclusions
As you can see, applying for a student visa in Norway is not difficult. You just need to prepare all the necessary documents and follow the steps above. While applying.
Please keep in mind that this is only a general guide for applying to Norwegian universities. As a result, don’t base all of your decisions and applications solely on this article.
Always double-check the specific requirements that apply to your study program or students from your country. Best of luck with your application, and have a great time as an international student.
References
- topuniversities.com – How to get a student visa for Norway.
- visaguide.world – Norway student visa and study permit.
- edarabia.com – How to get a student visa for Norway (2022 requirements).
- educations.com – Study in Norway.
- mastersportal.com – How to apply to an international university in Norway.
