NB: this website is directed towards international exchange students who have received an invitation letter from NVH.
Residence permit
You must apply for a residence permit (or visa) at least two months in advance of your date of arrival at the Norwegian foreign service mission closest to you. Exception: EU/EEA/EFTA nationals may enter Norway and apply from here. The letter of invitation from the school must be submitted with the application.
How to be granted a residence permit to study or attend school in Norway. Please read the fact sheets in the right hand blue column on the UDI website.
Documentation of financial support
Self-financing students outside EU and EEA need to document a certain amount (presently NOK 85 000 for one academic year) in a Norwegian bank account in order to be granted a student residence permit/visa in Norway. Information about SiO deposit account.
Accommodation
Students, who will be living on a student grant, or the equivalent, are eligible to apply for subsidized student housing at the Foundation for Student Life (SiO) in Oslo. Scholars/Students must apply themselves here.
We advise you to arrive during the weekdays between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the students residence reception desks at Kringsjå (Sognsveien 218) and SiO center (Kristian Ottosens hus at Blindern) are open. Housing information from SiO.
All students who live in student accommodation must pay a semester fee to the student organization once they have arrived (approx. NOK 440 pr semester). Dept of Academic Affairs (SFA) issues the semester fee giro/invoice. NB! Erasmus, Nordplus and bilateral exchange students are exempted from paying the semester fee.
Travelling and practical matters
Students are expected to make their own way from the airport to their accommodation and the school, please see information for once you have arrived below.
We advise you to bring some Norwegian currency (approx. 2000 NOK) with you when arrive in Norway, or to exchange money at the airport. You will need to pay for the transportation to Oslo city center.
Airport Express Train
Getting around Oslo: By bus or tram
We strongly advise you to take out travel insurance before you leave your home country and to insure all valuables against theft in Norway.
Here are some links to information concerning studying and living in Norway:
http://www.studyinnorway.no/
http://www.uio.no/english/student_life/budget.html
http://www.visitoslo.com/en/
http://www.norway.info/
Maps
Map of Oslo
Map of NVH
Information for once you have arrived
In the links below you will find information about what to do once you have arrived Oslo:
Practical information
An exchange student's guide to the animal clinics
Shopping, eating, staying healthy
Policy on sexual harassment
Health Insurance
Non-EU/EEA Students: If you have a residence permit for 12 months or more in Norway you automatically become insured under the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden) when you register as a student and as a resident in Norway. This entitles you to social security coverage with regard to health insurance. If you are staying in Norway for less than 12 month you must apply to be a member. We advise you to apply before arrival in Norway.
Read more about the National Insurance Scheme here.
EU/EEA Students: You must have health insurance coverage from your home country. Bring your European Health Insurance Card with you to provide evidence that you are entitled to necessary medical treatment.
The Foundation for Student Welfare in Oslo – SiO
SiO is a welfare organization for students. When you pay the semester fee you have access to a wide range of their services.
Presentation of SiO's welfare services.
The health service has general practitioners (GP) for students as well as psychologists, social workers and dentists. The dental service offers reasonable prices for treatment. Payment to the health service may only be made with debit/credit cards.
Information from the Student Health Services.
You are recommended to submit a Medical History Form to the Student Health Services so that they can provide you with the best possible medical services.
The Medical History Form.
You may use the Student Health Care as your GP. Submit the form “Skjema for fastlegeordningen” (“Form for the regular GP scheme”) after you have been issued a Norwegian personal identity number. (NB! Only applies to students who are staying 6 month or more) This form is available at the Dept. of Academic Affairs, but you must send the form yourself to: Student Health Service, SiO, Blindern Campus, PB 94, 0314 Oslo. Please note: Until you are assigned a GP as your regular doctor at the Student Health Service, you must pay NOK 100 for each consultation. After you are assigned a GP at the Student Health Service, consultations are provided at no charge, but there is a fee for blood tests, vaccines and health certificates. Please see the SiO website for more information: www.sio.no.
International students, with exeption of those coming from Western Europe, Polen, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, must also undergo a mandatory examination consisting of a chest x-ray and tuberculosis test within the first two weeks after arriving in Norway. The examination is performed at Ullevål University Hospital. Map.
Renewal of Residence Permits
You are responsible for applying for a renewal of your student residence permit each year. The academic department is responsible for writing the letter which you will need when you re-apply. The application must be submitted to the police in the district where you live. At present, due to heavy work-load, it can take up to six months to get a renewal. For more information, please see the UDI website
If you have further questions or need help, please get in touch with "Studieavdelingen"/ Department of Academic Affairs and Research Administration on the second floor, building one.
Mail: studieavd@veths.no
Tel: +47 22962415