Frequently asked questions about study permits
I want to apply for a study permit
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How do I apply for a study permit?
If you wish to study in Norway, you must have been accepted to an approved full-time education.
Learn more about the requirements, how you apply and where to hand in your application.
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When should I apply to receive an answer before I start studying?
We aim to provide all applicants with an answer before you plan to start studying. See our estimated wait time for study permit applications.
You do not have to worry if other applicants have already received an answer to their application and you have not received an answer yet. Wait times can often vary, and some applicants receive an answer sooner than others.
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Can I apply for family immigration with a student?
If you are an immediate family member of someone who holds a residence permit as a student in Norway, you can apply for a family immigration permit. Generally, immediate family members who apply for family immigration are the spouse, cohabitant or child of someone who lives in Norway.
Learn more about the requirements, how to apply and where to hand in the application.
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Can I apply for a student permit to attend Norwegian language courses?
Generally, we do not grant residence permits for Norwegian language courses.
Exceptions can be made if the language courses are part of a study programme in Norwegian language or Nordic language studies, that you started in your home country. The Norwegian language course must be held at university college or university level at an approved educational institution.
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What are sufficient funds?
One of the requirements for a residence permit as a student, is that you have enough money to provide for yourself.
I have applied for a study permit
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Why have I waited longer than others for an answer to my application?
You do not have to worry if other applicants have already received an answer to their application and you have not received an answer yet. Wait times can often vary, and some applicants receive an answer sooner than others. See our estimated wait time for study permit applications.
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Can I request priority?
Very few applications can be prioritised. To request priority, you must send us
- a detailed explanation
- documentation, for example a medical certificate
You cannot request priority by phone, chat or email.
Visit our Can I request priority-page?-page and choose the alternative that best describes your situation for more information about priority.
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Can I travel to Norway before I have received an answer to my application?
Some people who apply for a study permit can submit the application in Norway or travel to Norway before they have received an answer. Read more about who can travel to Norway before they have received an answer here.
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Can I change an application after it is submitted?
After you have submitted your application and the status is «form completed», it is not possible for you to make changes to the application. However, when you hand in your application documents, you can ask the police, VFS Application Centre or the embassy to edit this information for you.
Here you can find contact information for Norwegian embassies and the various police districts in Norway.
I have been granted a study permit
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How do I travel into Norway?
Travelling to Norway
If you are not already in Norway when your application is granted, you must now check when you can travel to Norway.
First, you must check whether you need a visa to enter Norway. Please check whether you need a visa.
If you do not need a visa
You will notified by the embassy or the Visa Application Centre where you handed in the application when you are allowed to travel to Norway. You will also be notified about the date you have to enter Norway at the latest.
If you have questions, contact the embassy or Visa Application Centre where you handed in the application.
If you need a visa
- The visa you need is called an entry visa
- The UDI will ask the embassy which is responsible for your case to issue you this visa; you do not need to apply for one.
- The Visa Application Centre where you handed in the application or the embassy will contact you to agree on a time for you to come and collect your visa. It will take up to a week for them to contact you. You will collect your visa at the same place as you handed in the application.
- The visa is usually valid for 30 days, and show when you can travel to Norway.
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Can my family come to Norway?
If you have been granted one of the following types of permit, your spouse or cohabitant and children can apply for family immigration permit:
- study permit to study at a university or university college
- residence permit for a Norwegian language course for skilled workers
- residence permit for additional education
If you hold another type of study permit, your family cannot apply for family immigration.
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Can I lose my residence permit?
In some cases, you may lose your residence permit.
Losing a permit means that UDI has decided that the residence permit is no longer valid. It may mean that you are no longer allowed to live in Norway or that you will be granted a new residence permit, and your residence period in Norway will restart.
There may be different reasons why you lose your residence permit, for example, if you:
- do not study
- live outside of Norway for more than a total of six months in one year
- work more than your permit entitles you to
Here you will find more information about revoking a residence permit.
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Can I work?
- If you are granted a study permit, you are automatically also granted permission to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, including remote work, in addition to your studies and full-time during holidays.
- You can apply for a permit to work full-time during the academic year if the work is part of your education plan. You have to ask for this in writing when you apply, or later.
- You can not be self-employed or run your own business in Norway
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Can I travel to other countries while living in Norway?
You can travel into and out of Norway for as long as the permit is valid, but you must live in Norway for at least a total of six months each year.
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How do I get a residence card if I applied on 16 April 2021 or later
What is a residence card?
A residence card is a credit-card-sized plastic card that proves that you have been granted a residence permit in Norway. The police will order a residence card for you.
If you have applied while in Norway, you might receive your residence card without meeting at the police station again. If this applies to you, the police will send you the residence card by post. This means that you do not have to book an appointment. Read below to find out when you must book an appointment.
What do you need to do to receive the card in the mail?
- If you are a new postal recipient in Norway: fill in this form (external website, opens in new window) and hand it in at a post office or in-store post office. Remember to bring identification.
- If you are already a registered postal recipient, check that your correct postal address is registered with Posten (external website). The site requires login with BankID or MinID.
- Make sure you have your name on your letterbox, otherwise you will not receive the card. If the card gets lost in the post, it will take some time to get a new one.
- You should not book trips abroad until you have received your new residence card.
How long will it take until you get the card?
It will take at least 20 working days from your appointment with the police until you receive the card in the post.
You must book an appointment to get a residence card
- If you have applied from abroad.
- If you have an expired Norwegian alien's passport or refugee travel document which you have not already given to the police.
- If your application was submitted by another person with a power of attorney (i.e. you must book an appointment with the police yourself to get a residence card).
- If you have applied for a residence permit in accordance with the Brexit regulations (you will be notified to book an appointment after your application has been processed).
- If you have applied for protection for the first time with the police, the police will summon you to class. You do not have to book an appointment yourself.
At the police station, the police will take a photo of you and register your fingerprints.
How to book an appointment?
Booking an appointment electronically
If you filled in and sent the application electronically, you can now log in to book the appointment.
Booking an appointment by phone
If you did not fill in an electronic application form when you applied for a residence permit, you must instead call your local police district to book an appointment. UDI cannot help you to book an appointment.
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How can I apply for renewal of my student permit?
You can apply for renewal by handing in an application to the police where you live. You must apply for renewal at least one month before your permit expires.
Learn more about the requirements, how you apply and where to hand in your application.
My application for a study permit has been rejected
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Can I appeal the decision?
If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision.