If you’re considering studying abroad in the Kingdom of Norway, you should learn more about the academic choices and how to get Norwegian Student Visa for this enchanting Nordic nation.
A lot of foreign students enrol in degree programs in Norway and enjoy their stay in the nation. If you want to join them, here is what you are required to do to get the Norwegian student visa.
Before applying for a Norwegian student visa
The initial step you have to take towards a degree in Norway is to search through the nation’s universities and submit an application for the study program of your choice. When you get the notification of admission from the school, it is time to get ready for the visa/residence permit application.
To make your search even easier, here are some of the schools we recommend:
- University of Bergen
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
- NHH Norwegian School of Economics
Norwegian Student Visa vs. Student Residence Permit in Norway
The visa is only valid for 90 days. Supposing you plan to enrol in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, your stay will last for more than 3 months, so you might require a student residence permit.
Why did we say “might”? Because not all foreign students require a visa or a residence permit to school in Norway. Here are the categories of students who do NOT require them:
- students from the Nordic nations (Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland)
- candidates from the EU/EEA (they still have to enrol at a local police office)
Required documents for the student residence permit
- A European Health Insurance Card (if you are from the EU/EEA)
- Passport and copies of the used passport pages
- Signed cover letter from the visa application website
- Two recent passport-sized photos
- Evidence that you have made payment of the application fee (470 EUR)
- The verification of admission to a full-time program in a licensed Norwegian academic institution, which states your name, the degree program and level, and also the length of the program
- Evidence that you possess enough money to financially sponsor your student life, which represents at least 11,600 EUR/year
- Rental contract or evidence that you possess a place to reside in Norway. Also, you should begin looking for housing, since the demand for housing is high, particularly in student villages or small towns
- The completed and signed UDI checklist
The complete list of credentials for your Norwegian student residence permit is contingent on your citizenship, so don’t forget to print the checklist and abide by it thoroughly.
What happens after I submit application for the Norwegian student visa?
After handing in your visa application, you will get an answer in about 6 weeks. But do not relax during that time; you might be invited for an interview to provide additional details about your background.
After all is set and you see yourself with a visa in tow, you must proceed straight for the residence permit (if you need it).
You are required to do this in the first week after you get there, so do not put it off too much and be ready to have your biometrics taken.
How to successfully get a Norwegian Student Visa
- Ensure all your credentials have copies.
- Verify the documentation list. An incomplete application will not be treated.
- If you have credentials in other languages, apart from Norwegian or English, you must translate them.
- If you submit your first-time application prior to the 1st of July, it will be treated and answered prior to the 15th of August. Renewal of visa and the appeal to a denial are typically processed in 8 weeks.
- Very special situations permit for your application to be given precedence and to be processed faster, so ensure you apply for your visa well in advance.
Find out more concerning the Norwegian Student Visa and student residence permit in Norway.
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