A Norwegian student visa is a type of visa issued to prospective students who wish to enter Norway solely to study. If your course of study will last more than three months, you will need to apply for a student residence permit in Norway.
They will only grant the residence permit if you can prove 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 your application was denied and you’re wondering what went wrong. This is where you need to be, and we are writing 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. Be sure to read to the end to get a full understanding of how to apply for a Norwegian student visa.
Table of Contents.
- Types of student 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 the student visa in Norway
- How to apply for a student visa in Norway
- Norway student visa processing time
- Can I get a student visa in Norway without IELTS?
- Work while you study in Norway
- Frequent questions
- Conclusions
Types of student visas in Norway
In addition to studying at a Norwegian university, the following study visas for Norway are also available:
1. High School Students Visa
To obtain 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 Elite Sports College, Barrat Due Music Institute or Brdar Academy.
2. Vocational studies in Norway require a Norwegian study visa.
The vocational school must be on the list of accredited schools of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
3. Norway study visa for high school students popular
The program must be listed by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training. To attend a popular or religious/belief-based high school, you must not have previously had a visa.
4. Norwegian study visa for religious education (Bible School)
The Adult Education Law must authorize the school. To attend a popular or religious/belief-based high school, you must not have previously held a visa.
5. Norwegian student visa for a university summer course.
A short-term Norwegian visa is required to attend the summer school.
How student visas work in Norway
You can travel to Norway and start your studies once you have received your student visa (residence permit to study). Assume 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 you travel, you can simply enter Norway within the deadline. Generally, a student residence permit does not give the right to work in Norway.
However, if you are granted a study permit, you are also granted the right to work part-time. EU/EEA students do not require a work permit and can 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 university 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 will need at least NOK 123,519 13,600 (approx. USD XNUMX XNUMX) in living expenses per year. This must be held in a Norwegian bank account. Funds can come out of pocket, student loans , or grants. You can deduct money from the required amount if you get a part-time job.
- You must have found accommodation in Norway.
Requirements
In addition to the points mentioned above, you must also present these documents when applying for a student visa in Norway.
Your passport. You must also include copies of the pages of 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 Directorate of Immigration website.
- Two passport size photographs of you They must be recent and with a white background.
- The letter of admission to the school. The letter should include your name, course of study, level of study, and length of 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 Loan Fund for Education (Lnekassen).
- Bank statements from a Norwegian bank account. You can open a bank account on your own or have your university do it on your behalf.
- A part-time employment contract that specifies the hours you will work, your salary, and the length of the contract.
- Proof that you can 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. Tuition funds must be in addition to funds needed for living expenses.
- Evidence of accommodation If you want to study in Norway, you must prove that you have a place to live. As an example:
- If you are renting, you must have a written rental agreement.
- If your school provides accommodation for you, you must indicate this in the Letter of Admission.
- Also, if you are applying from a country other than your own, please include the following information: Evidence that you are lawfully present.
How long is the Norway student visa valid?
A Norwegian student visa is usually issued and renewed for the duration of your studies. When you receive the Study Permit, it will indicate how long it will be valid for.
International students can stay in Norway for up to one year after graduating from a Norwegian university or college to look for work.
Please note 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 the student visa in Norway
The cost of a student visa for Norway is NOK 4,900. (approx. USD 545). Minors (those under the age of 18) are eligible to apply for free. When you apply on the Immigration Directorate 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.
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 is a more detailed explanation of the procedure:
- Collect the necessary documents.
- Complete the online application on the website of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). You must first create an account. Sign 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 the Norwegian Embassy or the Visa Application Center in your country.
- Submit the necessary documentation for the Student Visa application.
- The Embassy/VAC will send your application to the Norwegian Immigration Directorate (UDI).
- The UDI reviews your request and notifies you of the result.
Norway student visa processing time
Processing times for student visas in Norway will vary and can take two months or more. Therefore, it is advisable to apply as soon as possible. It also varies by country.
Can I get a student visa in Norway without IELTS?
It is possible to study in Norway without taking the IELTS Test . Although Norwegian is the native language, universities in Norway offer a wide range of English courses. It is necessary to provide proof of English proficiency.
Work while you study in Norway
If you find a job in Norway while studying and meet the requirements, you can apply for a Norwegian work visa.
Even if you don’t have a job yet, 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.
Frequent questions
Can international students obtain citizenship in Norway?
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 a year outside of Norway in the last ten years, and your total time in Norway must be at least seven years.
How much bank balance is required to apply for a student visa in Norway?
In addition to tuition, you will need at least NOK 123,519 13,600 (approx. USD XNUMX XNUMX) in living expenses per year. This must be held in a Norwegian bank account. Funds can come from your pocket, student loans, or grants.
Is there an interview to get a student visa in Norway?
You will be required to attend a visa interview during the application process. The Norwegian residence permit for studies is valid for the duration of the course. You may need to renew your visa each year to stay for the duration of your degree program.
Can I work while studying in Norway?
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 a week while you study and full time during the holidays.
Does Norway allow students to study for free?
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 from a top-tier university for free, and 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 note that this is only a general guide for applying to Norwegian universities. As a result, don’t base all 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 fun as an international student.
