Students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who want to study in Norway for more than three months generally need Norway student visa, officially called a study permit. Students must first get admission to a Norwegian university or college and then apply for the study permit through the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website.
Here’s a quick look at the main details:
Permit type: Study permit for students
Short study stay: Up to 3 months generally does not require a study permit
Long study stay: More than 3 months
Study permit fee for adults: NOK 5,400 (approximately INR 55,674)
Living funds required: NOK 170,368 (approximately INR 17.56 lakh) per year or NOK 15,488 (approximately INR 1.60 lakh) per month for the 2026-27 academic year
Work permission: Up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during holidays
Application route: UDI online application followed by document submission through the relevant application centre or Norwegian authorities
The sections below explain the Norway student visa requirements, fee, financial requirements, documents, application process, spouse visa rules, rejection reasons and tips for Indian students.
Types of Norway Student Visa
Norway issues a study permit to students on a long-term basis, that is, for more than three months, and the procedure for processing applications depends on the duration and type of education.
Students may require a visitor visa, rather than a study permit, for very short study visits. A student who plans to study at a university or university college for more than three months, usually requires a study permit.
Short-Stay Study Visa
If you are planning to study at the universities in Norway for a short period of time, up to three months, you might not require a study permit. Depending on the countries they are travelling to and their travel purpose, they may require a Schengen visitor visa.
Stay: Up to 90 days
Suitable for: Short courses, summer schools and other short educational visits
Permit: Study permit is generally not required for a stay of up to three months
Visa requirement: Depends on the student's nationality
Application route: Norwegian visa authorities or the authorised application centre
Fee: Depends on the type of visa and applicant
Long-Stay Student Permit
This type of Norway student visa for Indian students is usually required for students wishing to study in Norway for more than three months. This is the primary pathway for foreign students to enter longer programs at university and college.
Permit type: Study permit
Duration: More than 3 months
Suitable for: Bachelors, masters and other eligible full-time programs
Application: Online through UDI
Main requirements: Admission, full-time study, enough funds and accommodation
Work rights: Up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during holidays
Decision: The Norwegian authorities look at the application before granting the permit.
Norway Student Visa Requirements for International Students
The criteria for student visa in Norway is based on your course, university, nationality and length of stay. For most students applying for a study permit, the basic requirements include admission to an approved institution, full-time study, enough money to support yourself and a place to live.
For Norway student visa for Indian students, the same basic study permit rules apply. Indian students must also follow the document and submission instructions given by the Norwegian authorities and the application centre in India.
For university or university college studies, applicants must:
Have admission to a university or university college
Study full-time
Have enough money to cover living costs
Have enough money to pay tuition fees, if applicable
Have a place to live
Study at an approved institution
Meet the other conditions set by UDI.
How Much Money Do You Need?
The Norway student visa financial requirements include enough money to cover your living costs while studying.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, students must have at least NOK 170,368 per annum or NOK 15,488 per month. This is equivalent to INR 17.56 lakh per year or INR 1.60 lakh per month, using the current exchange rate of approximately 1 NOK to INR 10.31.
The following table includes expenses occurred with their estimated cost for Norway student visa for Indian students:
Expense
Approximate Annual Cost (NOK/ INR)
Living expenses
NOK 170,368 (INR 17.56 lakh)
Monthly living cost
NOK 15,488 (INR 1.60 lakh)
Semester fee
Around NOK 1,000 (INR 10,310) per semester
Tuition fees
Public Universities: NOK 80,000- NOK 250,000 (INR 8.25- 25.78 lakh)
Private Universities: NOK 100,000- NOK 300,000 (INR 10.31-30.93 lakh)
Accommodation
NOK 42,000 to NOK 132,000+ (INR 4.33- 13.61 lakh)
Transport and personal expenses
NOK 18,000 to NOK 33,600 (INR 1.86- 3.46 lakh)
The Norway student visa financial requirements are mainly used to show that you can support yourself during your stay. If your programme has tuition fees, you must also show that you have money to pay them or that the required tuition has already been paid.
Students can use different types of funding to meet the financial requirement. UDI states that the money may come from student loans, grants, your own funds or certain other accepted sources. The money can also be placed in a Norwegian bank account or, in some cases, the deposit account of the educational institution.
The following table may help you make a list of documents that you need while providing proof of your funds.
Financial document
What it establishes
Bank statement
Provide available funds
Education loan approval
Shows approved student funding
Scholarship or grant letter
Have financial support
University deposit account proof
Shows money placed with the institution
Tuition payment proof
Shows that required tuition has been paid
Part-time job offer, where accepted
May help show available income
The documents should highlight the source of funds. Do not present documents that are not consistent with the information provided in the application
What If Parents Are Sponsoring the Student?
Parents can help in a student's education. However, the student is still expected to meet the Norway student visa financial requirements and show availability of funds for the duration of stay.
Students should keep documents such as:
Parent's bank statements
Education loan documents, if applicable
Scholarship documents, if applicable
Proof of tuition payment
Documents showing the source of funds
Sponsor documents, where required
Any additional financial documents listed by the authorities
The exact documents can depend on the student's situation and the current checklist.
What Expenses Should Your Funds Cover?
Your financial planning should include the main costs of living and studying in Norway.
Here is the list which may help you in understanding what to include in your expenses if you’re thinking of studying in Norway.
Accommodation
Food and groceries
Local transportation
Health and other insurance costs
Study materials
Personal expenses
Semester fee
Tuition fees, where applicable
Travel and other costs
Students should not plan only for the first few months. The Norway student visa financial requirements are meant to show that you can support yourself during the period of study.
Documents Required for Norway Student Visa
When applying for Norway student visa, the documents will be used by the authorities to verify your identity, your admission to the university, your finances, accommodation and your study plan.
Generally, the documents that should be prepared for Norway student visa for Indian students include:
Valid passport
Completed application form
UDI application cover letter
Passport-sized photographs, where required
Admission letter
Proof of full-time study
Academic certificates and transcripts
Statement of Purpose (you may go through this SOP format for detailed guidelines)
Letters of Recommendation (Check out the correct LOR format)
Proof of English language proficiency, if required by the institution (such as IELTS exam, TOEFL exam, etc)
Financial documents
Tuition fee payment proof, if applicable
Accommodation proof
Insurance documents, where applicable
Previous visa or residence permit documents, if applicable
Any additional documents mentioned in the current checklist
The final document list should always be checked on the UDI website and the Norwegian application centre before submission.
Norway Student Visa Fee
The costs of applying for Norway student visa for Indian students differ depending on the visa category and specific applicant's age.
The fee for study permit for applicants 18 years of age or older is NOK 5,400(approximately INR 55,674) at this time. If the applicant is under 18 years, the fee will be NOK 2,700 (approximately INR 27,837).
The below table includes all the cost components with their approximate amounts for Norway students visa fee.
Cost component
Approximate Amounts (NOK/INR)
Study permit - applicant over 18
NOK 5,400 (INR 55,674)
Study permit - applicant under 18
NOK 2,700 (INR 27,837)
VFS service fee in India
EUR 20 (INR 2,222) per applicant
Tuition fee
Public Universities: NOK 80,000- NOK 250,000 (INR 8.25- 25.78 lakh)
Private Universities: NOK 100,000- NOK 300,000 (INR 10.31-30.93 lakh)
Living funds
NOK 170,368 (INR 17.56 lakh) per year
The Norway student visa fee is separate from tuition fees, living expenses and any service charges.
In India, applications and passports for Norwegian residence permits are received through VFS, which charges a separate service fee. The Norwegian Embassy in India currently lists the VFS service fee as EUR 20(approximately INR 2,222) per applicant.
Note: Check the latest Norway student visa fee before applying because fees and service charges can change.
Understanding the benefits of studying in Norway and the student visa process is important for Indian students who are planning to study abroad.
For students wondering how to apply for Norway student visa process which starts after you receive admission from a Norwegian university or college. It is recommended to begin the application 3 to 5 months prior to the start of your semester to allow enough time for document preparation and processing.
For Norway student visa for Indian students, the main steps are:
Step 1: Get Admission
Receive an admission letter from an eligible Norwegian university or college. You normally need to be admitted as a full-time student.
Step 2: Check the Study Permit Requirements
Check the current UDI rules for your course, nationality and study level.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Collect your passport, admission letter, financial documents, accommodation proof and other required documents.
Step 4: Arrange Your Funds
Make sure you have the required amount for living costs. For 2026-27, the requirement is NOK 170,368 (approximately INR 17.56 lakh)for one academic year. If tuition fees apply, you must also show that you can pay them.
Step 5: Register the Application Online
Complete the study permit application through the UDI online system and pay the Norway student visa fee.
Step 6: Print the Cover Letter
After completing the online application, follow the instructions provided for submitting your documents.
Step 7: Book Your Appointment
Follow the current instructions for submitting your passport and documents through the relevant application centre or Norwegian authorities in India.
Step 8: Submit Your Documents
Take the required documents and passport to your appointment and complete the submission process.
Step 9: Wait for the Decision
UDI will review your application. Processing times can change, so students should check the latest UDI waiting-time information before making travel plans.
Step 10: Travel After Approval
Once your permit and entry arrangements are complete, you can travel to Norway and begin your studies.
These are the basic processes when thinking on how to apply for Norway student visa, but the exact steps can change depending on the applicant's nationality and situation.
Norway Student Spouse Visa
Students with a valid Norwegian study permit may usually be able to bring their spouse, cohabitant or children to Norway through family immigration. UDI says that the student must generally have or have applied for a study permit at a university or university college and have at least one year left of studies.
The Norway student spouse visa is not the same as the student's study permit. The spouse needs to apply for a separate family immigration permit.
For a spouse of a student, UDI currently lists requirements such as:
A valid marriage or registered partnership
Plans to live together in Norway
Valid identity documents
Payment of the family immigration application fee
The student must have or have applied for a study permit
The student must have at least one year left of studies
The student must meet the applicable income requirement.
The current income requirement shown by UDI for a student reference person is NOK 368,683 (approximately INR 38.01 lakh) per year before tax. This can include employment income, certain student loans or grants, and money held by the student or applicant, depending on the case.
The Norway student spouse visa application is handled separately from the student's study permit. UDI also notes that it currently does not have the capacity to process a student's family member application at the same time in all student cases.
Norway Student Visa Rejection Reasons
Norway student visa application may be refused if the student does not meet the requirements for a study permit or does not provide the required evidence.
You have strictly 21 days (3 weeks) from the exact date you receive the written refusal notification to submit your formal appeal.
Common problems when applying for Norway student visa for Indian students may include:
Not having valid admission
Not studying full-time where full-time study is required
Not showing enough money
Not showing money for tuition fees when tuition applies
Not having suitable accommodation
Missing documents
Incorrect information in the application
Documents that do not match each other
Problems with the study programme or institution
Not meeting other UDI requirements
Failing to provide additional documents when requested
Students should not assume that showing a large bank balance alone guarantees approval. The application must meet all the relevant requirements.
Tips for a Successful Norway Student Visa Application
A good application will help to prevent common omissions and delays. Have all your information organized and ensure your documents back up the application you're writing.
Here are a few pointers that need to be kept in mind when applying for the student visa for Norway.
Submit early applications: Do not wait to apply in the last few weeks before your course begins.
Check UDI: Always follow the most recent UDI rules and look at the UDI checklist.
Show enough funds: Meet the current Norway student visa financial requirements.
Be consistent in your documents: Ensure that names, dates, etc. are consistent.
Check tuition fees: Normally, students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland will have to pay tuition fees unless they have been exempted from payment.
Test your English requirement: Don't assume that you need to have IELTS for all programs. Check your university's rules.
Arrange accommodation: Proof of a place to live is part of the study permit requirements.
Keep copies: Save copies of your application and submitted documents.
Check your email: UDI or the application centre may contact you for more information.
Do not book non-refundable travel too early: Wait for the required permit and entry documents before making final plans.
Conclusion
Getting Norway student visa, officially called a study permit, is an important step for students who want to study in Norway for more than three months. Students should first secure admission, check the current requirements and prepare their financial and academic documents.
In 2026-27, students need to show at least NOK 170,368 (approximately INR 17.56 lakh) per year for living costs. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally also need to pay tuition fees unless they fall under an exemption.
For Norway student visa for Indian students, it is important to follow the latest UDI and Norwegian Embassy instructions. Following how to apply for Norway student visa steps, showing enough funds and keeping all documents accurate can make the application process easier.
What are the main Norway student visa requirements?
The main Norway student visa requirements include admission to an eligible institution, full-time study, enough money for living costs, suitable accommodation and payment of the required application fee. Students may also need to show money for tuition fees.
How much is the Norway student visa fee?
The Norway student visa fee for applicants aged 18 or above is currently NOK 5,400 (approximately INR 55,674). This is around INR 55,800 (approximately INR 5.75 lakh), depending on the exchange rate. Additional service charges may apply when submitting documents through an application centre.
How to apply for Norway student visa from India?
To understand how to apply for a Norwegian student visa from India, first get admission to a Norwegian institution. Then complete the UDI application, pay the Norway student visa fee, prepare your documents and submit them through the required application centre.
Is IELTS required for Norway student visa?
IELTS is not a separate requirement for every Norway student visa application If you’re thinking that is IELTS required for Norway student visa. However, universities can require proof of English for admission. IELTS Academic is one accepted way to document English proficiency, but the required score depends on the course and institution.
How much bank balance is required for Norway student visa?
For the 2026-27 academic year, students generally need to show at least NOK 170,368 (approximately INR 17.56 lakh) for living costs, or NOK 15,488 (approximately INR 1.60 lakh) per month. Tuition fees may need to be covered separately.
Can I work while studying in Norway?
Yes. Students who receive a study permit can normally work for up to 20 hours per week during their studies and work full-time during holidays. The study permit does not allow students to run their own business or work as self-employed.
Can my spouse come to Norway while I study?
Yes, a spouse or cohabitant may usually apply for family immigration when the student has or has applied for a study permit at a university or university college and has at least one year of studies left. Other income and family immigration requirements also apply.
Can I bring my children to Norway on a student visa?
In many cases, children of a student with a study permit can apply for family immigration. The exact rules depend on the student's permit, remaining study period and the child's situation.
Does Norway study permit give permanent residency?
No. The period spent in Norway on a study permit does not count toward the residence period needed for permanent residence. Students who later qualify through another residence route must meet the rules for that permit.
How long does Norway student visa take?
There is no single fixed processing time but it takes 8 to 10 weeks for every student application. UDI waiting times can change based on the type of application and other factors. Students should check the latest UDI processing-time information before planning travel.
With over 12 years of experience in the education sector, Harjeet specializes in study abroad counseling and visa management. She has a proven ability to guide students through university applications...
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