You need a study permit if you will be in Norway for more than three months. The application fee is NOK 5,400 if you are over 18 (NOK 2,700 if you are under 18). You apply online through UDI, submit documents, and wait for a decision before you travel.
Who needs a study permit
If you plan to study in Norway for more than three months, you must apply for a study permit. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who stay for three months or longer need one. The same applies if you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and you are coming for a full degree. If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, different rules apply, and you should check UDI's pages for your situation.
Once you have a permit, you can work up to 20 hours a week during your studies and full time during holidays. But you cannot start working until you have been granted the permit. You also cannot enter Norway until your application has been processed, so do not book travel before you have an answer.
For a full overview of the process, see our residence permit guide.
The documents UDI asks for
UDI's student checklist lists the first-time documents. You need:
- Your passport and copies of it.
- The signed signature form from the application portal.
- One passport-sized photo against a white background if you apply from abroad.
- A letter of full-time admission from your institution.
- Documentation of sufficient funds to live on.
- Documentation that you can pay tuition fees if you are required to pay them.
- Documentation of somewhere to live.
Documents in a language other than Norwegian or English need a translation. The place of study must be on NOKUT's list of approved, accredited institutions. Our list of universities in Norway can help you check that the institution you are considering is on the approved list, but always confirm with NOKUT and the institution.
For the money requirement, see our proof of funds guide. For health cover, see the health insurance guide.
How much the permit costs
The study permit application fee is NOK 5,400 for applicants over 18, including renewals. If you are under 18, the fee is NOK 2,700. These figures come from UDI's fee table, as of the date on that page. Fees can change, so check UDI's fee table before you pay.
You may also need to pay tuition fees. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must normally pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary between institutions and study programmes. The Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions.
Our catalogue lists 27 Norwegian higher education institutions and 353 programmes imported from the Study in Norway register. Any tuition fee shown in our catalogue is as listed in the Study in Norway register, and you must confirm it with the institution.
Step by step: applying
- Get admitted to a full-time programme at an approved institution. Admission to bachelor's degrees taught in English is handled by the institutions themselves, while Norwegian-taught bachelor's degrees go through NUCAS. Master's programmes are not part of NUCAS, so you apply directly to the institution.
- Prepare your documents from UDI's checklist. Make sure your translations are ready.
- Complete the online application and pay the fee.
- Submit your documents as instructed, usually to a police district, embassy or visa application centre.
- Wait for UDI's decision. UDI aims to answer all applicants before they plan to start studying, but wait times vary. UDI's waiting-time guide asks whether you applied for the first time, applied for a renewal or appealed a rejection before it gives an estimate.
- If you are granted a permit and need a visa, UDI asks the embassy to issue an entry visa, usually valid for 30 days.
- After you arrive, book an appointment with the police to order your residence card. The police order the card, and it takes at least 20 working days from your appointment until the card arrives by post.
After you get the permit
Your permit lets you work up to 20 hours a week during studies and full time during holidays. But you cannot be self-employed or run your own business in Norway. The time you hold a study permit does not count if you later apply for a permanent residence permit.
If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision. UDI decides on study permits, and the institution decides on admission. For more on living and studying in Norway, see our residence permit guide.
Sources
- UDI, study permit
- UDI, fees
- UDI, student checklist
- UDI, FAQ on study permits
- UDI, waiting time for study permits
- Study in Norway, education system
- Study in Norway, admission to degree programmes
- Samordna opptak, English home
- Study in Norway, tuition fees
- Study in Norway, cost and requirements
- Study in Norway, scholarships for degree students
- This site's catalogue, imported from the Study in Norway register
Frequently asked questions
How much does a student residence permit in Norway cost?
The application fee is NOK 5,400 for applicants over 18, including renewals, and NOK 2,700 for applicants under 18, according to UDI's fee table. Check UDI's current fee table before you pay, as fees can change.
What documents do I need for a Norway study permit?
UDI's checklist includes your passport and copies, the signed signature form, a passport-sized photo if applying from abroad, a letter of full-time admission, proof of sufficient funds, proof you can pay tuition if required, and proof of somewhere to live. Documents not in Norwegian or English need a translation.
Can I enter Norway before my study permit is approved?
Normally you cannot enter Norway until your application has been processed. You also cannot start working until you have been granted a permit. UDI aims to answer all applicants before they plan to start studying, but wait times vary.
How long does it take to get a residence card after arriving in Norway?
The police order your residence card, and it takes at least 20 working days from your appointment with the police until the card arrives by post. You need to book that appointment after you arrive.