BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo is considered Norway’s top business school. It offers a range of master’s degrees while its Executive MBA program, held jointly with Fudan University School of Management in China, is ranked among the Financial Times’ top EMBA programs. Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) is the country’s oldest business school, also renowned for its Executive MBA program.
If you’re looking to secure your spot at a Norwegian university, you’ll likely need a student visa (unless you are a student from Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, or Finland). Here, we break down the process of applying for a Norway student visa, from the required documents to the cost of the application.
Summary of student visa process to study in Norway
If you’re applying for a student visa for Norway, you’ll need to gather documents including your passport, proof of acceptance for your studies and financial means, and evidence of accommodation; you’ll pay equivalent of $730 in application fees, and you can expect to wait between two weeks to be processed.
The Norway student visa: Requirements and how to apply
What documents are required to get a student visa for Norway?
To kick off your student visa application to study in Norway, you’ll be required to present several key documents.
You’ll need a valid passport, along with two recent passport-style photos accompanying this.
You’ll need to provide proof of acceptance for your university of choice—usually an acceptance letter or enrollment certificate. This should include details of your name, intended study program, and the length of the program in question.
You’ll also need to demonstrate proof of financial means that will sufficiently cover the entire duration of your studies. This exact amount varies but will be in the region of NOK 15,169 or $1390 for each month of your stay, plus sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees. This will be higher if you are bringing family members with you.
On top of proof of financial means, you’re likely to be expected to show proof of health insurance that will cover you in Norway (a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is applicable here).
In addition, you’ll need to demonstrate proof of accommodation, whether via a private tenancy agreement, student halls agreement, or letter from a household where you may be staying.
How can I apply for a student visa for Norway?
Once you’ve gathered the required documents for your student visa for Norway, you can start your application process. This predominantly takes place online, where you’ll have to provide certain details to support your application.
After the online portion of your application is complete, you’ll need to finish your application in person at a Norwegian Embassy or a visa administration center (such as VFS Global), where you’ll hand in your required documentation. You can find more details on where you should make this in-person appointment, depending on your nationality and where you are applying from, online.
The Embassy will hold onto this documentation while you are waiting to hear back, so make sure you don’t need your passport for the duration of this process.
Find out more information about the application process here
How much does an application cost for a student visa in Norway?
To apply for your visa to study in Norway, you’ll need to pay an application fee. This currently costs €628, or around $730.
It’s worth considering the other additional costs that accompany the application, including private health insurance and proof of financial means that you’ll have to demonstrate as part of your application process.
How long does it take to get a student visa for Norway approved in 2025?
The time it takes to receive your student visa for Norway will vary. You can ordinarily expect to receive an answer within 15 days of handing in your application at the Embassy or visa center. That said, it’s worth leaving at least a month before your intended travel date, to avoid disappointment.
A ticket to a top Scandinavian study destination?
Norway offers exciting prospects for international business students and career professionals. Norway is a member of the EEA, providing access to one of the world’s most thriving economic markets, while also maintaining a degree of independence.
It’s also a country that boasts pedigree across several top industries. As well as a hub of financial activity, Norway is a key center for the energy, shipping, and oil and gas industries. More recently, it’s gained traction as a technology hub, spawning startups such as Kahoot! and Dune Analytics.
Securing a student visa for Norway is lengthy. You’re required to provide your passport as well as proof of acceptance, financial means, health insurance, and accommodation. The process is multifaceted, requiring you to apply both online and subsequently in-person, and will require a financial commitment as well as a waiting time of approximately 15 days to be processed.
However, securing a student visa for Norway is a ticket towards opportunity, a first step towards carving out an exciting career in a unique and exciting European economy.
Check out the latest Norway student visa news:
⇨ Norway Proposes HEIs Set Their Fees For Non-Europe Students Amid Enrolment Concerns (The PIE News)
