Norway Student Visa For Indian Students

Norway Student visa for Indian students is the best and cheapest way to study in Norway. If you are looking for funding opportunities of higher education abroad, Best Undergraduate Institutions in the World 2018 should be on top of your list. It is no wonder that Norway tops this list, with its accessibility and affordability. After achieving being a global leader in the quality of education offering, it has now become a popular choice for students

The country of Norway is known for its scenic beauty and Norwegian culture. The Norwegian Embassy ensures that students from all over the world can study in this Scandinavian nation without any hassle. In this article, you will find information about applying for a Norway student visa. Student visas are renewable, which means Indian students can stay in Norway until they finish their studies. We will base our discussion today on – Norway Student Visa For Indian Students. But, other resources which you can find on our website include some frequently asked questions such as: norway student visa success rate and norway student visa cost

In December 2014, the Norweg

To live and work in Norway, you will have to apply for a Norway Work Visa.

The most common type of Norwegian Work Visa is the Skilled Worker Visa, which is issued to someone who has found a job for a Norwegian employer and has a university degree or vocational training.

Table of Contents

Although it is called a Work “Visa”, what you are actually applying for is a Norwegian Residence Permit for Work, which allows you to live and work in Norway legally.

Who Can Apply for a Norway Work Visa?

You can apply for a Norwegian Work Visa if you fulfil the following requirements:

You have one of these qualifications:
- You have completed higher education
- You have completed a vocational education
- You have “special qualifications” which make you eligible for the job, even if you lack proper education.
You have found a job with an employer in Norway.
The job is full time.
The job does not pay less than it would pay a Norwegian citizen.
You are over the age of 18.
You do not have a criminal background.

Norway Work Visa Requirements

The documents you need to hand in when you apply for a Norway Work Visa are:

Your passport. Also, send in copies of all the used pages on your passport.
The Norway Work Visa Application Form. You will receive this in PDF format after you complete the online application on the UDI website. Print it out and attach it to the rest of the documents.
Two passport size photographs. They must be recently taken and with a white background.
Proof you have accommodation in Norway. For example, a written rental contract. If you have not made accommodation arrangements yet, write a letter explaining where you plan to live and how you will find housing.
The Offer of Employment Form. Your employer must fill this out. The form is available on the UDI website.
Proof that your salary meets the income requirements. g. your employment contract, stating the salary you will receive.
Proof of your academic qualifications. For example, your university or vocational training diploma.
Proof of previous employment experience. Documents from your previous employers, which detail the type of work you did, how long you were employed, and your qualifications.
Your resume/CV.
If you live somewhere other than your home country: Proof you are there legally and have held a residence permit for the past six months.
If you submit your application in Norway: Proof you live in Norway legally.
If your employer will apply on your behalf: The Power of Attorney Form, downloadable from the UDI website.
Any additional documents, as required by your specific situation, such as explanation regarding:
- If you will work for more than one employer
- If you do not have a continuous employment contract
The checklist of documents you need, downloadable from the UDI.

Document guidelines:

The documents you submit have to be in original form as well as copies.
If your employer applies on your behalf, the documents may be simply copies.
If the documents are not in English or Norwegian, you must translate them by a qualified translator.
The Embassy may ask for additional documents, depending on your specific situation.

How to Apply for a Norway Work Visa?

Once you have a job offer in Norway, you will have to start the application for a Work Visa online at the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Then, you can either:

Hand in the completed application along with the documents yourself at the Embassy or a Visa Application Center.
Hand in the documents in Norway, if you are already there.
Send the documents to your employer who applies on your behalf from Norway.

If you apply for a Norway Work Visa yourself (from your home country)

If you are still in your home country when you apply for a Norway visa, you have to:

Gather the necessary documents for a work visa application.
Complete the online application on the UDI website
Hand in the completed application to the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Visa Application Center.
The Embassy/VAC will forward your application to the UDI in Norway

If you typically need a visa to enter Norway, then the UDI will send the entry visa to the Embassy or VAC where you submitted your application. You can use this visa to enter Norway and work. You do not need to apply for an entry visa as well.

If you are typically exempt from a Norway Visa, then you can just enter the country within the deadline. No other actions are required.

If you apply for a Norway Work Visa yourself (in Norway)

If you are already in Norway when you submit your Work Visa application, then you must:

Gather the necessary documents for a Work Visa application.
Complete the online application on the UDI website
Hand in the completed application to the Residence Permit and Protection Services of the Norwegian police or to a Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA), depending on which Norwegian district you are in.
The police or SUA will forward the application to the UDI.

You may also apply for a Norwegian entry visa, which is short-term and does not allow you to work – it only allows you to go to Norway to hand in your application. After the UDI processes the Work Visa, then you may start to work.

If your employer applies for the Norway Work Visa on your behalf

If your employer applies for your Norwegian Work Visa, the process is:

You gather the required documents for a Norway Work Visa.
Complete the online application on the UDI website.
You send copies of the required documents to your employer along with a written authorisation for them to apply on your behalf.
Your employer hands in the completed application to the Residence Permit and Protection Services of the Norwegian police or to a Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA), depending on which Norwegian district they are in.
The police or SUA will forward the application to the UDI.

Remember:

Once you decide to apply for a Norwegian Work Visa, your first step should be to visit the UDI website, where you have to complete the online application. The process is streamlined and adapted to your specific situation, taking into account your academic background, your nationality and which way you would like to apply: yourself or through your employer.
After you arrive in Norway, you have to go to the local police services and get your Residence Card. You must make the appointment before you leave, using the UDI Application Portal, and it should ideally be for within the first week of your arrival.

Processing Time for a Norway Work Visa

Once you hand in your Work Visa application, it can take up to 8 weeks for the application to be processed. If you are already in Norway during this time, you are not allowed to start work until the visa has been approved.

Norway Work Visa Fee

The fee for a Norway Work Visa is NOK 6,300 (USD 690). This is also the fee you pay for renewing the Work Visa. You must pay the fee via a debit/credit card, when you complete the online application on the UDI website.

Remember: If you apply through a Visa Application Center rather than an Embassy, there is an extra service fee.

Duration of Norway Work Visa

A Norway Work Visa (i.e. Residence Permit for Work) is valid for two years. You can apply to renew it before it expires, for another two years. Then, after three years of continuous residence in Norway, you can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit, which has an indefinite duration.

How to Renew a Norway Work Visa?

To renew your Norwegian Work Visa, you have to make an Online Application with the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Then, you book an appointment with the Norwegian police and submit the documents. You must also pay an application fee.

Remember, you have to submit the documents at least one month before your visa expires, and there is usually a waiting time for the appointment. So, make sure you start the application about three months before.

Required Documents for Norway Work Visa Renewal

The documents you will need to submit when you apply for renewal of your Residence Permit for Work in Norway include:

Your passport, along with copies of all the used pages of the passport.
The Cover Letter, which you receive on your email after completing the online application on the UDI website.
The Offer of Employment form, downloadable from the UDI website.
Proof of your last three wages
Any additional documents that the UDI requires you to submit.

Health Insurance for International Workers in Norway

Once you get a Residence Permit for Work, move to Norway, and register as a resident, you will also become entitled to the Norwegian national healthcare system. This means that you will be assigned a general practitioner (known as a fastlege in Norwegian), who you should consult with for any medical concerns.

Norway’s healthcare system is paid by the government and funded by taxpayer money. However, anyone over the age of 16 has to pay for doctor’s visits and treatment up to about $260/per year. For any sort of treatment exceeding this amount, you receive an exemption card and will receive free treatment for the rest of the year. This ensures that if you are severely ill, then you will not have major medical bills to pay.

If you want to have additional coverage, such as treatment in private hospitals, coverage in case you need to be evacuated, or coverage if you travel back home for any reason, then you can also subscribe to an international health insurance plan.

Can I Have Dependents With a Norway Work Visa?

Yes, if you get a Norway Work Visa, you can apply to bring your dependent family members with you. This is called a Norway Family Visa. These family members can apply for a visa to join you in Norway:

Your spouse or registered partner
Your cohabitant. You must both be over the age of 24, and either be expecting a child together, or you have lived together for at least two years.
Your children under the age of 18.
Your children over the age of 18 if they meet one of the following requirements:
- They are between 18 and 21, they are unmarried and have had a previous residence permit in Norway.
- If you support your child financially and they live with you. They must not be working or studying (i.e. have an “independent life”).
- The child is dependent as a result of health problems.

To bring your dependent family members to Norway with you, you must earn at least NOK 264 264 annually pre-tax (appx. USD 29,000).

Other Types of Norway Work Visas

There are other types of work visas for Norway, depending on the nature of work you intend to engage in:

Norway Seasonal Work Visa. If you will work, short-time, in a job which can only be done in a specific time of the year, or if you will work as a substitute for a permanent employee. You must receive an employment offer and get confirmation from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) before applying.
Norway Job-Seeker Visa. This visa is for skilled workers who have completed their studies in Norway, which will allow them to stay in Norway without a job offer and look for work.
Vocational Training and Research Visa. This visa is issued to students who will undertake training during their higher education studies or self-funded researchers, who are not employed with a Norwegian employer.
Norway Working Holiday Visa. This type of visa is issued to young adults (under 31 years) from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, which allows them to work and live in Norway for up to a year.
Work Visa for Artists. This is a short-term visa for artists, performers, or musicians, who will have concerts or performances in Norway. Maximum allowed stay of 14 days.

ian government decided it was time for the country to end its 2011 tightening of immigration rules. Through this decision, several changes were instituted that benefit skilled and entrepreneurial workers in particular.

Studying abroad can open doors that can help you succeed and improve as a professional. However, when it comes to studying, the first thing that pops into your head may be the United States, the United Kingdom or Canada. What you may not know, however, is that there are many other countries that are willing to take in international students. While they might not be on your radar at first glance, they should be.

Norway student visa eligibility criteria, required documents, the application procedure and FAQs

In this article

To study in Norway, you will need a Norway Student Visa.

The Student Visa (also referred to as a Norway Student Permit), allows the holder to live, study and even work (part-time) in Norway.

Who Needs a Norway Student Visa?

Every international student, who intends to study in Norway in a long-term study course must apply for a Norway Student Visa. This also includes US citizens, Canadian citizens, and anyone else who can normally visit Norway visa-free.

Eligibility for a Norway Student Visa

To get a Student Visa for Norway, you have to comply with the following requirements:

You must have been admitted into a Norwegian university or college.
The university or college must be accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education’s (NOKUT).
Your course of study must be full-time.
You must have enough money to cover your tuition and living expenses. You need at least NOK 123,519 (appx. USD 13,600) per year of living expenses, in addition to the tuition cost. You must keep this in a Norwegian bank account.
- The money can be from your own funds or student loans or grants.
- If you get a part-time job, you can include the money from this toward the required amount.
You must have found accommodation in Norway.

Norway Student Visa Requirements

The documents you are required to submit when applying for a Norway Student Visa are:

Your passport. You must also attach copies of the used pages on your passport.
The Norway Student Visa Application Form. You print this out once you have completed the online application on the Immigration Directorate website.
Two passport-size pictures of yourself. They have to be taken recently and have a white background.
The Letter of Admission into the school. The letter must state your name, your course of studies, the level of studies, and the length of the programme.
Proof you have enough financial means to sustain your stay in Norway. For example:
- Proof you receive grants or funds, such as a Statement of Support from the State Education Loan Fund (Lånekassen).
- The bank statements from a bank account in Norway. You may open a bank account yourself or your university may open one on your behalf.
- A work contract (part-time), which states the hours you will work, your salary, and the duration of the contract.
Proof you can pay your tuition (if required). E.g. the payment receipt from the university, or show you have the funds through one of the means described above. The tuition money must be in addition to the money you need for living expenses.
Proof of accommodation. You must prove that you have somewhere to live, if you were to go to Norway to study. For example:
- Written rental contract, if you are renting
- If your school provides you accommodation, they must state it in the Admission Letter.
If you apply from a country other than your home country: Proof that you are there legally (I.e. a Residence Permit).
For minor applicants (15-18 years old):
- Birth certificate
- The Consent Application for a residence permit for children/minors to study in Norway form, which is on the UDI website. Your parents or legal guardians must complete and sign this. Alternatively, they may write a Statement consenting to you studying in Norway and sign it.
- Copy of your parents’ or legal guardians’ passports.
- If only one parent has custody: Document from the relevant public authority, confirming it.
- In the event that one of the parents has passed away: Death certificate.
The printed checklist of the required documents. You can print this from the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Document guidelines:

You must hand in the original documents, along with copies of them.
The documents must be either in English or Norwegian. If they are not, submit a translation of them, along with the original. The translation must be done by a licensed translator.
You may have to legalize some documents through an Apostille Stamp, such as civil documents.
Do not forget the checklist print-out.
Some embassies may ask for additional documents, depending on your country and your specific situation.

How to Apply for a Norway Student Visa?

You have to start the application process for a Norwegian Student Visa online, and then submit your documents at the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Visa Application Center. Here is a more detailed explanation of the process:

Gather the required documents.
Complete the online application at the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website. You have to register an account. If you already have an account, log in with the existing one.
Pay the Norway Student Visa fee. Online, via your debit/credit card.
Make an appointment with the nearest Norwegian Embassy or a Visa Application Center in your country.
Hand in the documents for the Student Visa application.
The Embassy/VAC will forward your application to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in Norway.
The UDI processes your application and notifies you of the decision.

Remember: Although it is commonly referred to as a “Student Visa”, the official document which the UDI issues, and which allows you to live and study in Norway long-term is a “Norwegian Residence Permit for Studying”.

After you receive the Norway Student Visa

Once you receive the Student Visa (Residence Permit for Studying), then you are allowed to travel to Norway and begin your studies.

If you are from a country which typically requires a Norwegian Visa, then the UDI will simply issue an entry visa for you, which you can pick up at the Embassy/Visa Application Center and use it to travel to Norway.

If you are from a country which does not require you to have a Norwegian Visa before travelling, then you can simply enter Norway within the deadline.

Can I Apply for a Norwegian Visa From Within Norway?

If you are already in Norway, you can apply for a Norwegian Student Visa only if you are there legally, through another Residence Permit. Similarly to applying from abroad, you have to:

Gather the required documents.
Complete the online application at the website of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
Pay the visa fee.
Hand in the application at the local police station or the local Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA), depending on which part of Norway you live in.

Norway Student Visa Fee

The Norway Student Visa fee is NOK 4,900 (appx. USD 545). Minor applicants (under 18 years of age) can apply free of charge.

You must pay the fee via your credit/debit card when you submit the online application on the Directorate of Immigration website. If you are unable to pay online, you may be allowed to pay the fee when you submit your application at the Embassy or Visa Application Center.

If you apply at a Visa Application Center, you also pay the service fee.

Health Insurance for International Students in Norway

If you will stay in Norway for longer than a year, then as an international student, you are eligible to be enrolled under the National Insurance Scheme. This means you are assigned a fastlege (General Practitioner) whom you have to consult for medical treatment.

If the duration of your studies or your Student Residence Permit is less than a year, then you should get private international health insurance.

Duration of Norway Student Visa

A Norwegian Student Visa is usually issued and renewed for the same duration as your studies. When you receive the Study Permit, it will state the duration that it will be valid.

Can I Renew a Norway Student Visa?

To renew a Norwegian Student Visa, you have to start an online application on the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website, using the same account as when you initially applied. Do this three months before your residence permit is scheduled to expire.

You also have to book an appointment with the local police department, where you will have to submit the required documents. It could take a few weeks to set up an appointment, which is why it is recommended that you apply three months in advance.

To renew your Norway Study Visa, you must not be behind on your studies.

Can I Switch from a Norway Student Visa to a Work Visa?

If you find a job in Norway during your studies, and you meet the requirements, then you may apply to get a Norway Work Visa.

Even if you do not have a job yet, you may be able to apply for a Job Seeker Visa, which will allow you to stay in Norway after graduation as you look for work. However, you must have enough money to finance your stay (NOK 20, 521 or approximately USD 2,280 per month), and a degree from the Norwegian university.

Can I Get a Permanent Residence Permit After Student Visa?

No, you cannot switch from a Student Resident Permit into a Permanent Residence Permit, even if you have spent more than three years living in Norway. The time you live in Norway as an international student does not count towards your eligibility for permanent residence.

To get a Permanent Residence Permit, you should apply for a Work Visa.

Can I Work With a Norway Student Visa?

With a Student Visa, you can work in Norway for up to 20 hours/week (part-time) during the semester and full-time during the holidays. You do not have to apply for a work permit as it automatically comes with the Student Visa.

However, you cannot be self-employed or run a business while in Norway as an international student.

Can I Have Dependents With a Norway Student Visa?

Yes, if you receive a Norway Student Visa, you can bring your dependent family members with you via a Norway Family Visa. They can apply alongside you or they may come after you have already settled in Norway. The family member you can take with you are:

Your spouse or registered partner
Your cohabitant. You must both be over the age of 24, and either be expecting a child together, or you have lived together for at least two years.
Your children under the age of 18.

Other Types of Study Visas for Norway

Other than pursuing higher education on a Norwegian university, the following Study Visas for Norway are also available:

Norway Study Visa for Upper Secondary School. You must have been accepted into one of the following:
- A Norwegian school through an exchange partnership
- An IB (International Baccalaureate) study program
- Into the Norwegian College of Elite Sport, Barrat Due Institute of Music, or the Bårdar Academy
Norway Study Visa for Vocational Studies. The vocational school must be included on the list of accredited schools of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education’s (NOKUT).
Norway Study Visa for Folk High School. The program must be included on the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training’s list. You must not have held a previous visa to attend a religion/belief-based school or a folk high school.
Norway Study Visa for a Religious School (Bible School). The school must be authorized by the Adult Education Act. You must not have held a previous visa to attend a religion/belief-based school or a folk high school.
Norway Student Visa for a University Summer School. To attend a Summer School, you need a short-term Norway Visa.

Norway Student Visa For Indian Students