Long-Stay Residence Permit — Studies Verified 2026-05-12Norway Study Residence Permit (Long-Stay — Informational)
Informational guide to the Norway Residence Permit for studies (higher education / vocational school / folk high school) for Indian citizens.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Norway visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Please note: SureshotVisa does NOT process Norway residence permits (work, study, family reunification, etc.). This page is provided for informational purposes only. For Norway residence permits, apply directly through the UDI Application Portal at selvbetjening.udi.no or consult a licensed Norwegian immigration lawyer. We specialise in short-stay Schengen visas where our Indian-side expertise adds the most value.
Processing
Typically 1–3 months from UDI receipt; varies by case workload
Stay Duration
Duration of the study programme (renewable)
Starting Fee
NOK 5,900
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Norway visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Tuition payment proof is now mandatory for most non-EU/EEA students — verify your institution's fee structure.
- 2Subsistence funds must be documented in YOUR Norwegian bank account (or institutionally guaranteed) — Indian-side funds do NOT satisfy UDI.
- 3TB screening is mandatory on arrival for Indian nationals.
- 4Police registration within 7 days of arrival — failing to do so can affect your permit.
Who Can Apply
- Students admitted to a Norwegian university / university college / folk high school for studies >90 days
- Vocational school students in approved programmes
- Doctoral candidates with confirmed enrolment at a Norwegian institution
- Exchange students on programmes longer than 90 days (shorter exchanges use Schengen visas)
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Norway / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Study Residence Permit application fee | NOK 5,900 |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,052 |
| Courier (outside Delhi) | ₹432 |
Government fees set by UDI in NOK. INR equivalent varies with exchange rate. Fees change annually — verify on udi.no before applying.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Admission & Enrolment
2 items- Admission letter from Norwegian institutionRequired
Must state programme, duration, full-time status
- Proof of payment of tuition (if applicable)Required
Most public Norwegian universities became fee-paying for non-EU/EEA students from autumn 2023
Financial Subsistence
1 item- Proof of subsistence funds for one academic yearRequired
Minimum NOK 137,907 (2024–25 rate) in a Norwegian bank account in the student's name, or guaranteed by the institution / Lånekassen loan
Accommodation
1 item- Accommodation confirmationRequired
Student housing offer, rental agreement, or other proof of where you'll live
Personal Documents
4 items- Valid passportRequired
Valid for the entire study period plus 3 months
- Passport-size photographRequired
- UDI online application + cover letterRequired
- Tuberculosis (TB) test on arrival — voluntary disclosure
Norway requires TB screening on arrival for residents from high-incidence countries including India
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
6 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Get admission to a Norwegian institution
Apply to your chosen university/college and secure a formal admission letter for a programme >90 days.
- 02
Register the application at UDI portal
selvbetjening.udi.no → select 'Study residence permit' → fill in details → pay the NOK 5,900 fee → print the cover letter from email.
- 03
Book VFS appointment
visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/nor — select Residence Permit (Study).
- 04
Submit documents + biometrics
Originals + A4 copies of admission letter, financial proof, accommodation, passport.
- 05
Application forwarded to UDI for decision
Decision typically 1–3 months. Once approved, you receive a D-Visa to enter Norway; residence card issued after arrival.
- 06
TB screening + police registration on arrival
TB screening mandatory for Indians within first weeks; register with local police within 7 days of arrival.
What works
5 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Apply 3–4 months before the programme start date — UDI processing can take 1–3 months.
- Public Norwegian universities now charge tuition for non-EU/EEA students. Some scholarships exist (e.g. via the Quota Scheme alternatives) but are limited.
- Subsistence funds must be in a Norwegian bank account in YOUR name OR guaranteed by the institution/Lånekassen — not in your parents' Indian account.
- Look into the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) — Indian students enrolled in qualifying programmes may be eligible after first year.
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for Norway
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
UDI Application Portal (selvbetjening.udi.no)
Mandatory online application for all Norway visas and residence permits. Fill the form, pay the fee, and print the cover letter you receive by email — bring it to your VFS appointment.
VFS Global Norway (India)
Book your biometrics appointment, view document checklists, and track your application status here.
UDI — Sponsor for visitors (Sponsorship & Invitation form)
For business or family/friends visas — your Norwegian host can fill in the digital form with their electronic ID, or use the paper form.
UDI — Word definitions & fee overview
Official UDI page listing application fees by category (visitor visa, residence permit, etc.).
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Norway Study Residence Permit (Long-Stay — Informational) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
Norway's study route requires a Norwegian bank account, subsistence guarantee, and direct UDI engagement that's best handled by the student + the Norwegian institution. We specialise in short-stay Schengen visas where India-side expertise matters most. For studies, apply via UDI directly or work with your institution's international office.
Yes — from autumn 2023, most public Norwegian universities charge tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students (~NOK 130,000–500,000+ per year depending on programme). A few private institutions had fees before. Verify on your institution's website.
NOK 137,907 per academic year for the standard Study Residence Permit. The figure is updated annually by UDI — verify on udi.no before applying.
Yes — students on a valid Study Residence Permit can work up to 20 hours/week during semester and full-time during holidays. The permit explicitly allows this — no separate work permit needed.
Spouse/partner and children can apply for Family Immigration permits. Strict financial requirements apply — UDI requires you to demonstrate funds to support your dependants in addition to your own subsistence.
Yes — there's a 1-year Job Seeker Residence Permit for graduates of Norwegian institutions, allowing you to search for skilled work. Once you have a qualifying job offer, you can switch to a Skilled Worker permit.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Norway visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Norway Visa Types
Norway Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Norway for tourism, sightseeing, fjord cruises, and the Northern Lights — up to 90 days.
View guideNorway Business Visa (Schengen Type C — Business / Conference)
Short-stay Schengen visa for meetings, conferences, training, and trade events in Norway for Indian business professionals.
View guideNorway Visa for Visiting Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Norway — up to 90 days.
View guideNorway Transit Visa (Schengen Type C — Transit)
Short-stay Schengen visa for Indian citizens passing through Norway en route to another destination — typically for stopovers requiring entry into the Schengen area.
View guideNorway Airport Transit Visa (ATV)
Visa for Indian citizens transiting through the international zone of a Norwegian airport (typically Oslo OSL) without entering the Schengen area.
View guideNorway Seafarers' Transit Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen transit visa for Indian merchant marine seafarers joining or leaving a vessel via a Norwegian port.
View guideNorway Work Residence Permit (Skilled Worker / Long-Stay — Informational)
Informational guide to Norway Residence Permits for work (Skilled Worker, Specialist, Self-employed, Independent Contractor, Seasonal Worker, Service Provider, etc.) for Indian citizens.
View guideNorway Family Reunification Residence Permit (Long-Stay — Informational)
Informational guide to Norway Family Immigration permits — spouse, registered partner, cohabitant, children, parents, and siblings of Norwegian residents.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Norway website and Embassy of Norway. Last verified 2026-05-12. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.