STUDY PERMIT
Visa/Study Permit
Students from outside the EU/EEA who wish to study in Norway, must usually apply for a residence permit for studies (+entry visa).
This is also called a study permit
Due to processing times, you should apply well in advance –as soon as you receive your admission letter together with your “Letter to UDI”.
To apply you must visit The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration’s (UDI) website (QR).
Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland only need to register with UDI after arrival.
UDI →
The next pages contains a step-by-step guide for:
I. EU/EEA + Swiss nationals
II. Non-EU/EEA nationals
III. Non-EU/EEA nationals with visa exemption or entry to Schengen
If you have questions regarding visa/study permit, please contact UDI
I. EU/EEA + Swiss nationals
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not need to apply for a study permit prior to arriving in Norway but must register at udi.no after arrival.
Go to:
udi.no/en/want-to-apply
Select your country
You may be asked to book an appointment when you register online - you can skip this part, as the international office schedule police appointments for you. You will receive an e-mail regarding your appointment after arrival.
Select “Residency according to the EU/EEA regulations”
Select “students who are EU/EEA nationals”
If you cannot attend the appointment booked by international office, you must book one yourself. Please note that there might not be available appointments for the next weeks. The police releases new appointments every Friday, so please check then.
Follow the steps on “how to register”
During your appointment you should bring the documents listed at UDI. Print the documents and remember to also bring a copy of your passport and your EHIC card.
Note the checklist for documents you need to bring to the police.
II. Non-EU/EEA nationals
Non-EU/EEA nationals need to apply for an entry visa and study permit before arriving in Norway. You can do this by following the steps below:
Go to:
udi.no/en/want-to-apply
Select your country
Select “Study permit”
Select “University College or University”
Select “how to apply” and follow the instructions
Pay the visa application fee
You should fill in the application form online and gather the required documents (UDI checklist). Hand in the documents at the closest Norwegian embassy or VFS Visa centre in person (see UDI website for the closest location).
Your letter of acceptance + your “Letter to UDI” confirms that confirm admission, housing and funding
You will receive your entry VISA in your passport that allows you to enter Norway until 1 February (spring)/ 1 September (autumn)
You do not need to book an appointment with the police, as the international office schedule the appointments for you. You will receive an e-mail regarding your appointment after arrival. If you cannot attend the appointment booked by the international office, you must book one yourself. If there are no available appointments for the next weeks, check on Friday (the police releases new appointments every Friday).
During your appointment you should bring the documents listed at UDI. Print the documents and remember to also bring a copy of your passport. Note that the address you give to the police should include your street, house number and unit, e.g. Adresseveien (street) 14A (house number), H0301 (unit).
Your study permit will be sent to you by mail a few weeks after your appointment. Make sure your mailbox is marked with your name.
Please note that you must bring your residence card if you plan to travel in and out of Norway during your stay.
III. Non-EU/EEA nationals with visa exemption or entry to Schengen
Non-EU/EEA nationals with visa exemption or residence permit in a Schengen country can enter Norway without applying for a study permit but must apply eventually, since you will be staying in Norway for more than three months. You can apply while in Norway.
However, since the application process can be slow, we do recommend applying for a study permit before arriving (follow the instructions for Non-EU/EEA nationals).
If you want to apply from Norway, follow these steps:
Go to:
udi.no/en/want-to-apply
Select your country
You should gather the necessary documents (see UDI’s checklist) – remember a copy of your passport, book an appointment with the police and hand in the printed documents at Kristiansand police station.
Select “study permit”
Select “University college or University”
Select “how to apply”
You will receive your residence card in the mail a few weeks after your appointment. Note that the address you give to the police should contain the street, house number and unit, e.g. Adresseveien (street) 14A (house number) H0301 (Unit). Make sure your mailbox is marked with your name.
Answer the questions. Applying from Norway → select “yes”
Please note that you must bring this card if you plan to travel in and out of Norway during your stay.
Fill in the application form and pay the visa application fee
Additional Information
Full degree students
Full-Degree students will also receive a letter from the Norwegian Tax Administration after the police appointment. This letter contains their Norwegian D- or ID-number. Exchange students who wish to work part-time must book their own appointment with the Norwegian Tax Administration to receive their D-number and tax card.
Global mobility project students
Visa expenses will be reimbursement upon arrival. Start your visa application process immediately after receiving your Letter of Acceptance. You will soon after receive an email form UiA on how to apply for reimbursement for your visa application fee. Please do not use an agent for the visa process, as the grant will only cover the visa fee itself, and no service costs.
If you have questions regarding study permit, you should contact UDI