As a rule, to be granted a study permit, you must have been admitted to a field of study at a college or university. However, there are certain exemptions from this requirement.
College or university
As a rule, in order to be granted a study permit, you must have been admitted to a field of study at an officially recognised educational institution at college or university level. The course must be full-time and entitle the applicant to full support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. This requirement applies even though you are planning to finance your stay in another way than through a loan from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.
If you have been offered admission (conditional admission) to an approved educational institution/ approved study programme for which Norwegian language skills are required, you may be granted a residence permit for an introductory Norwegian language course for up to one year.
The course in the Norwegian language must be held at university college or university level at an approved educational institution. As a rule, residence permits are not granted for an introductory Norwegian language course prior to a study programme at technical college level.
Note that foreign nationals who have competence as skilled workers can be granted a residence permit valid for a total of one year to study the Norwegian language.
Upper secondary school
As a general rule, residence permits are not granted for attending upper secondary schools. Exceptions may be made in the following cases:
- Exchange students
In connection with international student exchange programmes organised by Norwegian county municipalities or non-profit organisations, you may be granted a study permit. You must submit documentation of a cooperation or friendship agreement forming the basis of the exchange.
- Students at international programmes /schools
Study permit may be granted to students at the Red Cross Nordic United World College, Skagerak International School and other schools offering an IB study programme (IB = International Baccalaureate)
- Citizens of the Nordic countries
Permit may be granted to foreign nationals permanently residing in another Nordic country in accordance with the “Agreement on Nordic educational cooperation at upper secondary level between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden” dated 4 March 1992
- Russian citizens
Permit may be granted to Russian citizens from the Barents region (does not entail vocational education).
- Students with specific skills
If the Norwegian school bases the admission of students on specific abilities/skills, and you have been admitted pursuant to this requirement, you may be granted a study permit. The admission is not based on purely theoretical knowledge. The following three schools are included in this arrangement:
- Norges Toppidrettsgymnas (NTG) (Norwegian upper secondary school for top-level sports)
- Barratt Dues Musikkinstitutt (Barratt Due’s Institute of Music
- Bårdarakademiet (Bådar Dance Academy)
Folk high school or denominational college
You may be granted a residence permit as a student if you have been admitted to an approved folk high school or denominational college. As a rule, the general conditions for study permit also apply to this type of education. There are, however, some major exceptions:
- The requirement for financial maintenance (subsistence) for folk high school students is NOK 74 900 for the academic year 2013–2014. This comes in addition to any tuition fees. The subsistence requirement for students at denominational colleges is funds corresponding to full support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. For the academic year 2012–2013, this is NOK 92 500. For the academic year 2013-2014, this is NOK 94 400.
- When submitting your application, you must enclose documentation that your tuition fees have been paid.
- The permit is usually granted from no more than two weeks before the start of tuition until the end of the academic year.
- The permit does not form the basis for family immigration.
- The permit cannot be renewed.
Norwegian language courses for skilled workers
If you are a skilled worker, you can be granted a residence permit to study Norwegian for a total of one year. You can be granted such a permit even if the purpose of the stay is to find employment in Norway.
As a rule, the general requirements for study permits also apply to this type of education. Read more about procedures, requirements and rights on the page How to apply for a study permit. If you are unable to set up a bank account in Norway we can accept that you document that you have funds in an account in your home country. It must be stated that the money is in your own account, and the documentation must be certified by your bank.
If you have had a residence permit in Norway and apply for a residence permit to study Norwegian it is a requirement that you have opened a bank account in Norway and deposited your funds there.
However, there are four important differences in relation to the regular study permit:
1) You must be a skilled worker
To be deemed a skilled worker, you need one of the following four qualifications:
Vocational training corresponding to upper secondary level
You must have completed vocational training for a specific occupation corresponding to upper secondary level for at least three years. If you were educated abroad, you must have achieved the same level of expertise as you would have achieved had you been educated in Norway. Examples include vocational education for joiners, plumbers or auxiliary nurses.
Craft certificate
A craft certificate taken abroad must provide the same level of expertise as a Norwegian craft certificate.
University college or university education
The requirement is a completed degree. Examples include nursing, engineering, Bachelor or Master’s degrees.
Special qualifications
You must have gained expertise through professional experience of a certain duration, alternatively in combination with other training (courses and similar). If there is a formal education in the field, your level of expertise must be approximately equivalent to the level of such an education. Note that, in principle, a skilled worker permit is only granted on the basis of special qualifications in exceptional circumstances and that thorough documentation is required.
2) Your aim must be to study Norwegian
You must have been admitted to a Norwegian course, or, as a minimum, be able to document a Norwegian course that you are going to attend. There are no requirements to the level of the Norwegian language course, but the tuition must, as a rule, take place at an established educational institution or course provider.
3) You must submit three additional enclosures
In addition to the application form and regular study application enclosures, you must submit
- documentation of your education or craft certificate containing information about the duration of the education, its content and the level of the educational institution
- documentation of any work experience containing detailed information from former employers about the duration and tasks
- a plan for the Norwegian courses you will be taking during your stay in Norway.
4) You can renew the permit for up to one year in total
You can renew your permit until you have held a permit for a total of one year. To be able to retain the same rights relating to studies and work while your application is being processed, you must apply for a renewal at least one month before your permit expires.
Additional education in order for your education to be recognised in Norway
If you are a skilled worker, you can be granted a residence permit for up to two years to take additional education, gain work experience or attend courses that you need for your education to be recognised in Norway.
As a rule, the general requirements for study permits also apply to this type of education. Read more about procedures, requirements and rights on the page How to apply for a study permit. If you are unable to set up a bank account in Norway we can accept that you document that you have funds in an account in your home country. It must be stated that the money is in your own account, and the documentation must be certified by your bank.
However, there are four important differences in relation to the regular study permit:
1) You must be a skilled worker
To be deemed a skilled worker, you need one of the following four qualifications:
Vocational training corresponding to upper secondary level
You must have completed vocational training for a specific occupation corresponding to upper secondary level for at least three years. If you were educated abroad, you must have achieved the same level of expertise as you would have achieved had you been educated in Norway. Examples include vocational education for joiners, plumbers or auxiliary nurses.
Craft certificate
A craft certificate taken abroad must provide the same level of expertise as a Norwegian craft certificate.
University college or university education
The requirement is a completed degree. Examples include nursing, engineering, Bachelor or Master’s degrees.
Special qualifications
You must have gained expertise through professional experience of a certain duration, alternatively in combination with other training (courses and similar). If there is a formal education in the field, your level of expertise must be approximately equivalent to the level of such an education. Note that, in principle, a skilled worker permit is only granted on the basis of special qualifications in exceptional circumstances and that thorough documentation is required.
2) You must need additional education
A relevant specialist authority must confirm that you need additional education or courses in order for your education to be recognised in Norway and specify which courses, work experience or education you need.
3) You must submit five additional enclosures
In addition to the application form and the regular study application enclosures, you must submit
- documentation of your education or craft certificate containing information about the duration of the education, its content and the level of the educational institution
- documentation of any work experience containing detailed information from former employers about the duration and tasks
- documentation from the relevant specialist authority that you need additional education, work experience or courses in order for your education to be recognised in Norway
- a plan specifying the additional education, work experience or courses you are taking during your stay in Norway
- if the additional education entails a work training placement, you must enclose documentation from the employer of how much you will be working and that you will be given the necessary follow-up to ensure that your education is recognised in Norway.
4) You can renew the permit for up to two years in total
You can renew your permit until you have held a permit for a total of two years. To be able to retain the same rights relating to studies and work while your application is being processed, you must apply for a renewal at least one month before your permit expires.
University summer schools
A residence permit is not required for attending a summer school lasting up to three months. However, you must apply for a visa if you come from a country with a visa requirement for entering Norway.
Special provisions for health personnel
Residence permit may be granted for courses (including Norwegian language courses) or other training necessary to obtain a licence or authorisation to work in the Norwegian healthcare system. A permit may only be granted for courses that, according to a statement from the Norwegian Registration Authority for Health Personnel (SAFH), you lack in order to obtain such a licence or authorisation.
If you wish to practice as a doctor in Norway, you must apply for a licence or an authorisation from the Norwegian Registration Authority for Health Personnel (SAFH). Among other things, you are required to take a qualifying medical exam. A residence permit may be granted in order to follow this programme. If an application for a permit is submitted for practical training/internship, this will be considered in accordance with the rules pertaining to work permits.
Any questions?
For more information, see the UDI’s circular on students. If you are still unsure about anything relating to residence permit for students, you can contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate, or the Information Service (OTS).
