A study permit is the residence permit you must have to study in Norway if you come from a country outside the EU/EEA and will be here for more than three months. You must have a place of study, a place to live and enough money for living expenses. Here are the requirements, what it costs, and how much you can work alongside your studies.

Who needs a study permit – and who doesn't?

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA/EFTA and will study in Norway for more than three months, you must have a study permit before you start. You apply to UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet).

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you do not need a study permit. Instead, you register with UDI, and it is free. Learn more about the rules for EEA students.

Requirements for getting a study permit

To get a study permit, you must meet these requirements:

  • Admission to full-time studies at an accredited educational institution. You must be a genuine full-time student.
  • A place to live in Norway.
  • Enough money for living expenses (the maintenance requirement – see below).
  • If the school charges tuition, you must document that you can pay for it in addition to your living expenses.

You must be a genuine student who is actively following your studies, not just enrolled on paper. The permit applies for the period your studies last, and is granted for up to one year at a time.

The maintenance requirement: how much money?

You must document that you have enough money to live on while studying. For the academic year 2025/2026, the requirement is 170 368 kr per year (15 488 kr per month), divided into 77 440 kr for the autumn semester and 92 928 kr for the spring semester.

The money can be your own funds, a loan or a scholarship. In practice, most people transfer the amount to a deposit account at the educational institution or a Norwegian bank account before the permit is issued. The school then pays out the money monthly after you arrive. To open a Norwegian account, you need, among other things, a personal number or D-number and to open a bank account.

If you are studying at a folk high school or Bible school, different amounts apply. Permits for these schools cannot be renewed and do not provide a basis for your family to join you.

Note: Students outside the EEA normally do not receive support from Lånekassen, so you usually have to cover living expenses yourself.

Documents you need to have ready

Before you apply, you should have these ready:

  • admission letter from the educational institution,
  • documentation of money for living expenses, for example, receipt of payment to the deposit account,
  • proof of a place to live,
  • valid passport,
  • receipt of paid tuition if the school requires it.

You submit the documents and provide biometrics when you meet with the police or the embassy.

How to apply – and what it costs

You apply online at UDI's application portal on udi.no. You create a user account, fill out the application and pay the fee online. After that, you book an appointment with the police, if you are in Norway, or with a Norwegian embassy or visa center, and meet in person to submit documents and provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

The application costs a fee of 5 400 kr for applicants over 18 years old, and 2 700 kr for applicants under 18 years old. Please note that many websites state an old price – use the amount from udi.no.

When should you apply?

Apply as soon as possible after you have been admitted. Processing times vary, and you should not travel to Norway before you have received a response to your application. If you have applied from abroad, you usually have to wait for a positive response before you can start your studies.

Can you work as a student?

Yes. A study permit gives you automatic permission to work up to 20 hours a week alongside your studies, and full-time during holidays. You do not need a separate work permit in addition (utlendingsforskriften § 6-19). If you want to know more about the rules, see the guide on part-time work as student.

If you get a job, you need a tax card from the Tax Authority (Skatteetaten), and you pay tax on your salary in the usual way. Remember that income from work does not replace the maintenance requirement – you must still document that you have enough money when you apply.

Renewal and life after your studies

You must renew your study permit before it expires. Then you cannot be more than one year behind in your studies, and the same maintenance requirement applies. Apply for renewal in good time so you maintain the right to study and work while you wait for a response.

After a completed degree, you can apply for a separate permit to look for relevant work in Norway, and you can work while you search.

Can your family come with you?

Whether your spouse, partner or children can get family immigration while you study depends on what kind of study and institution you are attending. For regular university and college studies, it is often more possible than for short courses. Your family must meet the requirements for family immigration themselves, including that you can support them. Always check the updated rules on udi.no before you plan.

What happens if you stop studying full-time?

The study permit is based on you being a genuine full-time student. If you stop studying full-time, fall more than one year behind, or your study foundation disappears, a renewal may be rejected. You must then have another basis to remain in Norway. If you inform UDI if anything changes, you avoid misunderstandings later.

The rules for residence and Norwegian society are also part of the syllabus for the citizenship test. At SamfunnPrep you can practice for free and prepare yourself for life in Norway. Ready to practice? Try SamfunnPrep for free.