🛂 Student visa — Norway
Quick facts
Study permit / residence permit for studies through UDI, not simply a Schengen visa.
NOK 170,368 per academic year, or NOK 15,488 per month; tuition fees are separate if applicable.
UDI fee is currently NOK 5,400 for applicants over 18 and NOK 2,700 for applicants under 18.
Normally up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during holidays, but not self-employment under the study permit.
Main documents to prepare
- Admission to a full-time approved programme
- Proof of funds for living costs and tuition if applicable
- Housing/accommodation proof
- Passport and UDI application cover letter
- Receipt for paid application fee
- Academic documents, certified translations and legalisation/apostille where required
Legalisation and document authentication
For every country, document authentication follows the country where the document was issued, not only where the student currently lives. A student living in Dubai with an Iraqi diploma may still need the Iraqi document route. Start with the university requirement, then confirm the visa checklist.
Country-by-country notes
Student-reported points are practical planning signals. They are not legal rules. Always follow the official checklist of the embassy, consulate, visa centre, UDI, Campus France, Universitaly or university that handles your exact case.
Iraq
Application route: UDI online application; VFS Baghdad/Erbil, with handling shifting from Amman to Ankara from 22 July 2026. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Syria
Application route: UDI route through regional handling, including Amman/Ankara instructions. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Document authentication may be difficult or disrupted. Ask the embassy and university in writing before paying for translations or travel.
Common student experience: Students reported that access to the visa centre or responsible mission can change quickly, especially during conflict or closures.
Jordan
Application route: UDI route; VFS Amman, with handling shifting to Ankara from 22 July 2026. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Palestine
Application route: UDI route; VFS Ramallah, with handling shifting to Ankara from 22 July 2026. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported that access to the visa centre or responsible mission can change quickly, especially during conflict or closures.
Lebanon
Application route: UDI route; VFS Beirut, with handling shifting to Ankara from 22 July 2026. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Egypt
Application route: UDI route; VFS Cairo, with handling shifting from Amman to Abu Dhabi from 22 July 2026. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Sudan
Application route: Norway Sudan/Nairobi or VFS route; verify current handling because Khartoum is disrupted. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Document authentication may be difficult or disrupted. Ask the embassy and university in writing before paying for translations or travel.
Common student experience: Students reported that access to the visa centre or responsible mission can change quickly, especially during conflict or closures.
Morocco
Application route: UDI route submitted through Denmark/VFS representation in Morocco. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Use the apostille route for public documents where accepted, then translate/certify according to the university or visa checklist.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Tunisia
Application route: UDI residence-permit submission through a Danish/VFS centre in the region. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Use the apostille route for public documents where accepted, then translate/certify according to the university or visa checklist.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Algeria
Application route: UDI route; VFS Algiers, with handling shifting to Abu Dhabi from 22 July 2026. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Apostille rules are in transition from 9 July 2026. Verify whether your document must use the old legalisation route or the new apostille route.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Libya
Application route: UDI route through the responsible regional embassy, with Amman/Cairo regional information to verify. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Document authentication may be difficult or disrupted. Ask the embassy and university in writing before paying for translations or travel.
Common student experience: Students reported that access to the visa centre or responsible mission can change quickly, especially during conflict or closures.
Yemen
Application route: UDI route through the Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi regional hub. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Document authentication may be difficult or disrupted. Ask the embassy and university in writing before paying for translations or travel.
Common student experience: Students reported that access to the visa centre or responsible mission can change quickly, especially during conflict or closures.
Saudi Arabia
Application route: UDI route through the Norwegian Embassy in Riyadh / Saudi regional handling. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Use the apostille route for public documents where accepted, then translate/certify according to the university or visa checklist.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
United Arab Emirates
Application route: UDI route through the Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Qatar
Application route: UDI route through the regional Norway handling system for Qatar. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Kuwait
Application route: UDI route through the regional Norway handling system for Kuwait. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: UDI/universities may request apostille or legalisation. Documents not in English or Norwegian usually need certified translation.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Bahrain
Application route: UDI route through the regional Norway handling system for Bahrain. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Use the apostille route for public documents where accepted, then translate/certify according to the university or visa checklist.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
Oman
Application route: UDI route through the regional Norway handling system for Oman. Apply online through UDI first, pay the fee, then submit biometrics/documents through the listed embassy or visa centre.
Document route: Use the apostille route for public documents where accepted, then translate/certify according to the university or visa checklist.
Common student experience: Students reported difficulty with blocked accounts, deposits, currency conversion or proving funds in the exact format requested.
FAQ
Is Norway still tuition-free?
Not generally for non-EU/EEA degree students. Many must pay tuition in addition to living-cost proof.
Can I show money in my own bank account?
It depends on the university/UDI route. Some universities use a student deposit account. Follow the exact UDI and university instructions.
Can I enter Norway before approval?
Normally no if you need an entry visa. Apply for the residence permit first and obtain the entry visa after approval.
Official sources to verify before applying
Use these official links to check the latest checklist, fees, amounts and appointment rules before submitting.
- Want to apply: Study permit - UDI
- Cost and requirements
- Fees - UDI
- Guide to waiting time for study permits - UDI
- Family immigration: Apostille and legalisation - UDI
- Visitor’s visa and residence permit - Norway in Jordan
- Services and information - Norway in Egypt
- Family immigration: Apostille and legalisation - UDI
- Services and information - Norway in Sudan
- Residence permit - Norway in Sudan
- Where to apply for a visa or residence permit
- Regional handling of visitor’s visa and residence permits - Norway in Libya
- Visitor’s visa and residence permit - Norway in the United Arab Emirates
- Norway in Saudi Arabia - Riyadh
This is starter guidance and changes often — always confirm on the official source before applying.
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