Applying for a Study Permit
Applying from Norway
Some applicants have the option of handing in the application for a residence permit for a student at a university college or university after they have already entered Norway. To check if this is an option for you, please enter your correct information on the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) website. Contact the International Office (international@hiof.no) if you are unsure if this option is available to you.
Applying from Abroad
We recommend that you begin the application process as soon as you receive your offer of admission. Most applicants will have to submit their application to a designated Norwegian embassy or consulate. To find out where you must submit your application, please enter your correct information on UDI's website. Contact the International Office (international@hiof.no) if you are unsure about where to find the correct embassy or consulate.
Requirements
- You must pay the application fee
- You need a letter of admission to a university college or university
- You must show that you will be a full-time student
- You must document that you have enough money to live on, at least NOK
123 519 per year
- You must show that you have a place to live
- The circumstances in your home country must indicate that it is likely that you can return home at the end of your studies
How to Apply*
- Go to Want to apply: Study permit
- Fill in what country you are a citizen of, then select 'Study permit' and answer that you will be studying at 'University college or university'
- Click on 'How to apply'
- Select where you wish to apply from (Norway or abroad) and answer follow up questions until you come to the page with information about how to apply
- Print out the checklist and collect the necessary documents
- Complete the online application form
- Hand in the application and documents in person at the designated place as specified by UDI
*The International Office encourages all international students to familiarize themselves with UDI's website and use it as the main source of information during the application process. It is quite easy to use and ensures that students are receiving the most up-to-date and correct information.
Documents you will receive from Østfold University College
- Admission letter:
- Master in Applied Computer Science and Master in Green Energy Technology: In your digital application you will receive a PDF-letter named “admission decision”. This is the official documentation of our assessment, and this the document you need for all formal use.
- All exchange students and students at The Norwegian Theatre Academy: Your admission letter will be sent to your registered email address as soon as you have accepted your offer of admission.
- Confirmation of sufficient funds:
- Degree students: all non-EU/EEA students must document that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their study period. You only need to document funds for one year at a time or for one semester if your stay is shorter. The funds can consist of student loans, grants, own bank funds in a Norwegian bank account or the deposit account of the educational institution, or a combination of the above. If you make use of Østfold University College’s temporary deposit account, you will receive a statement that confirms the funds deposited. This statement must be submitted with the application.
- Exchange Students: Please contact the International Office for further information. If you are an exchange student from a partner institution, it might not be necessary to transfer funds to a Norwegian bank account.
Receiving your Residence Card
The residence card proves that you have been granted a residence permit in Norway. Students arriving from a country outside the EU/EEA can receive this card by booking an appointment through UDI's Application Portal to the appropriate police station. Students at Østfold University College do this at Politiets publikumssenter/Immigration Office in Grålum (Sarpsborg), Rådmann Siras vei 4, 1712 Grålum. Appointments can also be made by calling +47 64 99 30 00. Contact information for Politiets publikumssenter/Immigration Office in Grålum.
The appointment with the police should be either during the first seven days of arrival, or the first available appointment. The International Office can arrange group appointments and will provide information regarding this to incoming students.
If you book an appointment on your own, it is important that you fill in your full name and Norwegian address correctly. Your name must also be on your mailbox. If not, the card will not reach you.
Please bring the following documents to the appointment
- Your passport
- The decision letter from the UDI
- Your letter of admission from Østfold University College
- Your confirmation statement of sufficient funds
What happens at Politiets publikumssenter
The police will take your fingerprints and photo.
Renewing a study permit
You are responsible for having a valid student residence permit at all times. Your study permit decision states how long your permit is valid for and whether it can be renewed. If you wish to continue studying in Norway, you must renew your permit 2-3 months before the permit expires. If you do not, you may experience problems travelling to and from Norway and lose your right to work in Norway while you are waiting for the new permit.
For information on how to apply for renewal of your study permit, please visit UDI's website.
Please contact studier@hiof.no or international@hiof.no to get your progress report to show normal study progress, a required document for the renewal application.