Immigration- information and procedures

All students outside of the Nordic countries/EEA countries who wish to study in Norway, will need a student residence permit. All applications for student residence permits will be handled by the immigration authorities (UDI).

To be granted a residence permit you must:

1. Have been accepted into a programme at a Norwegian university or university college.If accepted, Telemark University College will send you an acceptance letter proving this.
2. Be able to make a deposit of NOK 85,000 (sum for 2008, may change for 2009) for one academic year in a Norwegian account. The sum is the same as the estimated living costs for a student for one academic year in Norway (10 months). Please note that the immigration authorities will not make any exceptions to this rule and will only accept the full sum. The Student Welfare Organisation has established a deposit account that applicants may use to make a deposit (since establishing an account in Norway is difficult for international students). The money in the deposit-account will be made available to you after arrival and registration.
3. Have accommodation in Norway. If accepted, you will be offered accommodation through Telemark University College.
4. Be a full-time student. Students who apply for part-time programmes and need a visa/student residence permit will not be offered admission because they will not be granted a student residence permit.

It is essential to note that international students will not be granted a residence permit on the basis of admission to the language programme alone. In addition students need an early acceptance for a further programme after completion of the Norwegian language programme.

The application process

You may apply for visa/student residence permit after you have been offered admission and received the admission letters and other documents.

• It is very important that you start the application process as soon as possible. All applications should be launched no later than June 30th. Contact your nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate to apply for a visa/student residence permit.
• It is also important to make the deposit as soon as possible. Please note that international transfers may take up to three weeks to register in our deposit account.

The confirmation of the deposit is essential in your application for a visa/student residence permit. If the deposit is made late, this may delay your visa application and in some cases making it impossible to receive the visa in time for the start of the semester.

All information about how to make the deposit will be given to you in the letter of acceptance.

The application process for a student residence permit is an issue between the applicant and the immigration authorities. For more detailed information on the immigration regulations, please see www.udi.no .