This permit applies to those who wish to study at a folk high school or denominational college in Norway. NB: Separate rules apply for citizens of EU/EEA countries.
In order to obtain this type of permit, you must:
- Have received a firm offer of a place at a folk high school or denominational college
- Be ensured housing and subsistence
It is a condition that you return to your country of origin at the end of the academic year.
To apply for a residence permit, you must complete an application form. The application must be submitted from your country of origin or another country where you have been legally resident for at least six months. The application must be submitted to your nearest Norwegian foreign service mission (embassy, consulate general). You will also be informed of the decision regarding your application via the foreign service mission.
However, some people may apply for a residence permit from Norway. This applies to those who qualify as a skilled worker/specialist, and either:
- Have a residence or work permit lasting three months or more
- Have been granted a visa for three months
- Are entitled to live in Norway for three months without a permit (i.e. no visa requirement) or
- Have been granted a visa, i.e. a job seeker’s visa, for a period of less than three months
Applications made from within Norway must be submitted to the police in the district in which you live.
It is also a condition that you are not living in Norway while applying for asylum or while waiting to leave the country following a failed asylum application.
In addition to a completed application form, you must include:
- Copy of passport (all completed pages)
- Offer of a place or invitation from the school/college
- Documentation that subsistence is ensured
- Documentation that you have housing, if you will not be living at the college
- Passport photo/other photo which meets the set requirements
- You must also pay a fee
NB: The requirement for documentation varies from country to country, and may change over time. You should therefore check what requirements currently apply by contacting the Norwegian foreign service mission in the country from which you are applying.
As a main rule, it is sufficient that copies of the documents are sent with the application. However, you have to produce the original documents when you hand in your application.
All documents attached to the application have to be translated into English or Norwegian.
A more precise definition of the conditions for the permit can be found in section 5, 2 A.
We urge everyone to allow plenty of time for their application. In order to avoid unnecessary case processing delays, it is important to take care when completing the application form and to include all the requested documentation.
- As a rule, the permit is given from no more than two weeks before the start of college until the end of the academic year.
- The permit does not allow the holder to work. The permit also does not constitute grounds for a settlement permit or family immigration.
In order to obtain a part-time work permit, you must:
- Have been granted a residence permit
- Have a concrete offer of employment in the form of an employment contract
- You must also pay a fee
There are no requirements regarding type of work or wage. The working hours must amount to no more than 50% of a full-time job, up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. During the standard holidays, a permit may be granted to work full-time.
The application must be submitted to the police in the district where you live. You can either apply at the same time as you apply for a residence permit or on a separate form (GP-7115 B) once the residence permit has been granted.
The permit is linked to a particular job and a particular workplace. Therefore, you may not take any other work without first applying for a new work permit.
A part-time permit may be renewed in conjunction with the renewal of the residence permit.
A more precise definition of the conditions for the permit can be found in section 17 of the Immigration Regulations.
The permit cannot be renewed.
Any questions?
If you are still unsure about anything relating to how you apply for a residence permit to study at a folk high school/denominational college, you can find more information in the UDI circular 2004-004. If you have more questions about the permit, you can
contact the Information Service (OTS).
