Visa and residence permit
Applying for a study permit
Who needs a study permit, what UDI requires, how to apply and what it costs.
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and want to study in Norway, you need a residence permit for studies, usually called a study permit. You apply to UDI, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.
What UDI requires
- Admission to a university or university college in Norway
- Full-time study
- Enough money to live on: at least NOK 15,488 per month, or NOK 170,368 for a full academic year. This was the amount for 2026/27; UDI adjusts it every year. See our guide on proof of funds.
- Tuition fees: documentation that you have paid the fee, or that you have the money to pay it
- Somewhere to live in Norway
- A valid passport
The money can be student loans, grants, your own funds in a Norwegian bank account or in your university's deposit account, or a combination of these.
How to apply
- Accept your offer of admission from the university.
- Pay your tuition fee and transfer the money for living costs (usually to the university's deposit account).
- Fill in the application in UDI's application portal and pay the application fee.
- Book an appointment to hand in your documents and have your fingerprints and photo taken. Depending on where you live, this is at an embassy, a VFS Global centre or, in some cases, the police in Norway.
- Use UDI's checklist for your country to see exactly which documents to bring.
What it costs
The application fee for applicants over 18 is NOK 5,400 (also for renewals). Check UDI's fee page for the current amount.
How long it takes
UDI aims to answer all applicants before their studies start. Waiting times vary, so apply as soon as you have accepted your offer and paid. After your appointment in Norway, it takes at least 20 working days to receive your residence card by post.
Working while you study
A study permit automatically lets you work part-time up to 20 hours a week during the semester, and full-time during holidays.
Bringing your family
If you have a study permit at a university or university college, your family members can apply for family immigration. They need their own permit.