Residence permits/visas

Foreign students must apply for a formal residence permit if they wish to study at NHH. Norwegian authorities require that all non-EEA students have a residence permit before their arrival in Norway. Special rules apply to citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA countries and students from these areas may apply for a residence permit after arrival in Norway.


Norwegian residence permits are issued by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). However, NHH assists accepted foreign students with their application by providing supporting documentation. The following documentation must be presented along with the completed application form for a residence permit:

  • Letter of acceptance as an MSc student. (This will be provided by NHH.)
  • Confirmation that housing arrangements in Norway have been made. (This will be provided by NHH for those students that apply for student accommondation with instructions received when admission has been granted.)
  • Students from outside Europe must document that they have sufficient funds to meet living expenses during their period of study at NHH. This figure is determined by the UDI and is currently set at NOK89,000 per annum. (Apart from students that are awarded scholarships through NHH, this documentation must be provided by the students themselves or their home institutions.)

Full details on how to apply for a Norwegian residence/study permit can be found on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI’s) website.
Students are advised to begin the process as soon as possible, since it may take several weeks for your visa to be approved.
Additional queries may be addressed to your local Norwegian embassy or consulate. 

The right to work while studying 

A student residence permit does not confer the right to take full-time, permanent employment in Norway. However, students are automatically allowed to work part-time (max 20 hours/week) through their residence permit, as long as the employment does not interfere with their study progress. Students may also normally apply for full-time employment during vacation periods (e.g. for internships over the summer).
More information on working in Norway while a student is available here.