Norway Student Visa – Application, Documentation and Funding

An International Student can apply for a Norway Student Visa if they are from a country that must obtain a visa to visit the country. A student visa is a Norwegian Residence Permit for Studying in Norway. It permits an international student to live and study in Norway.

If you plan to stay in Norway for more than three months, you must have a student visa. Short-stay visas for study can only carry you for a maximum of 90 days. After that, you must obtain a Norwegian Student Visa or Resident Permit for Study. That is, if you are a citizen of a country that has to obtain a visa to visit Norway.

To get a Norway Student Visa, you must first secure admission into one of the prestigious Norwegian educational institutions. That is the first prerequisite. In addition, you must know the necessary documents to gather and the right time to apply for a Norway Student Visa. This article will delve into what you need to know as you prepare to visit Norway for study.

About Norway Student Visa

Norway Student Visa is a long-stay visa that enables international students to enter the country and work. The Student visa is also called a Norway Residence Permit for studying. Every year, Norway accepts more than 12,000 international students into its institutions of higher learning. Each student is awarded a Norway Student Visa to live and study in Norway.

Who is eligible for the Norway Student Visa?

Norway’s Student Visa is for all international students who want to study in the country. Notwithstanding where they come from, they must obtain a student visa if they intend to study for more than three months. This means that even those who can ordinarily visit Norway for a short stay without a visa must get a student visa for stays longer than 90 days. Such countries include the US, Canada, and Nigeria, among others.

Is Education Free In Norway?

Although education is free in Norway for all EU students, Non-EU students who want to study in Norway can obtain scholarships based on merit. An international student who needs a scholarship must start early to apply to the choice school.

Even so, some of the public universities in Norway offer free tuition to students, no matter their nationality. This is because the Government of Norway funds all public universities. As a result, Norwegian schools provide high-quality education, and international students lucky enough to get it for free can channel their funds to paying living costs. Those not fortunate sufficient to obtain scholarships can take on part-time work to offset some bills. However, it is essential to note that not all courses are free.

What Are The Requirements For Norway Student Visa?

An international student who wants to study in Norway must fulfill the following requirements:

1. The student must have an admission letter from a higher institution certified by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT)

2. The international student must be admitted into full-time study

3. The applicant must show that he has adequate money in a Norwegian bank, which will sustain him for at least one year

4. The student must have somewhere to live in Norway.

What Documents are Required for Norway Student Visa?

To apply for a Norwegian Student Visa, you must have the following documents

1. Norwegian Visa Application Form. You can get this from the Norwegian Immigration Directorate

2. Your International Passport.

3. A letter of admission from the Norwegian School

4. Proof of Finance showing that you can take care of your finances, including tuition, for at least one year. The Immigration Department recommends you keep an average amount of 11,420.04 Euro for your yearly living expenses. You can obtain proof of Finance from

• It can also be a Statement of Support from the State Education Loan Fund. The department is responsible for student loans and grants.
• Alternatively, it can be a bank opened in Norway by you or your university on your behalf.
• If you already have a part-time job, your employer can state how many hours you will work, how much you earn, and the duration of the work.

5. Proof of accommodation, preferably near your school.

6. Your Curriculum Vitae and a Motivational Letter expressing why you want to study in Norway.

7. Proof of English proficiency depends on the higher institution. Some of them require it.

8. Previous Certificates obtained.

Guideline for Submission of Documents

You can avoid costly mistakes by following these guidelines:

a. You must submit the original documents as well as copies

b. The documents must either be in Norwegian or English. If not, they must be translated by a certified translator. You must submit the translated copies with the original and untranslated documents.

c. You may be required to certify some documents. In this case, you must arrange for them to be Apostilled to make them authentic.

d. You may be required to produce further documentation, depending on your country of residence and your specific situation.

Steps to Apply for a Norway Student Visa

Norwegian Residence Permit for Studying takes about 2 or 3 months to process. Therefore, to ensure that you get into school at the right time, it’s better to start early. These are the necessary steps to take:

Step #1. Gather the necessary documents

Step #2. Complete the Application for Norway Student Visa. You can do this online at the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) Portal. You have to register an online account.

Step #3. Pay the Visa Application Fee. You can do this online through a debit or credit card. For example, the application fee for a Norway Student Visa is 458 Euros.

Step #4. Book an Appointment for your visa interview. You can book an appointment with the Norway embassy or consulate closest to you.

Step #5. Hand over your documents. This is what you will do on the day of the appointment. Also, on that day, you will submit your biometrics so that your residence card will be processed. Then, the embassy will send your application to the Directorate of Immigration in Norway. The UDI will consider you for a student visa and inform you about your application.

Usually, the student visa is valid for one year. Then, of course, you can renew it if your studies exceed their validity but remember to start the renewal process early enough. After that, there’s nothing much to do. Only submit an online application at the immigration directorate website. Do not forget to attach your credentials and school results since you came to Norway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my spouse and children to Norway with a student visa?

Yes, you can, but you must also show adequate finances to support your family. Your family can come with a Norway Family Visa. They can either apply at the same time you are applying or come once you have settled in Norway.

Is there funding for International Students in Norwegian Universities?

Education is free in Norway, especially for EU nationals. However, there are scholarships available for international students on merit and compassionate grounds. The trick is to apply early so that you can access available scholarships. Also, check if your country is on the list of eligible countries for scholarships.

Private universities in Norway charge tuition fees, whether you are an international or local student. On average, the tuition fee is between 7,000 to 19,000 EUROS per year.

Can I work in Norway with my Student Visa?

Yes, you can. The Norway Student Visa permits you to get part-time employment totaling up to 20 hours a week. Working in Norway is one of the fastest ways to learn and practice the Norwegian language. International students can find part-time work in stores, food delivery companies, and bars. They can even get employment at offices, depending on their study area.

Why should I study in Norway?

If you can obtain a Norway Student Visa, you have a lot to gain:

1. Norway offers free education to international students, mainly if you apply early enough.
2. Most of its courses are taught in English.
3. It has a minimal unemployment rate specifically; the unemployment rate in Norway is about 3.6 percent.
4. Housing is very affordable because the government gives students subsidies on housing.
5. Norway is a beautiful country, although small.

It has a natural beauty that is appealing to nationals of other countries.

When can I apply for a Norway Student Visa?

You can apply for a Norway Student Visa at least four months before you have to leave for Norway. This is because it takes about 2 or 3 months for the Norway Directorate of Immigration to process applications for Student visas.

Conclusion

Norway Student Visa favors international students who wish to study for free in Norway. It is possible to do this if you start the application process early enough. And if you face your studies and continue to get good results, be assured that you will not have to pay tuition fees until you graduate.

The cost of living in Norway is high compared to most European countries. However, it depends on which city you live in. But look on the brighter side – you can gain a part-time job to augment your finances. Also, you can gain high-standard education in one of the best public universities in Europe.

Suggested Reading: Norway Visa Requirements – Fees And Validity